{"product_id":"saint-hell-blade-new-cd-2022-retroactive-jewel-case-remaster","title":"SAINT - HELL BLADE (*NEW-CD, 2022, Retroactive) Jewel Case Remaster","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/YMaqG4LX_t0\" height=\"315\" width=\"560\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSAINT - HELL BLADE (*NEW-CD, 2022, Retroactive) \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRRCD1603 SAINT - HELL BLADE (Metal Icon Series) 637405140279\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #ff00ff;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e***We strongly encourage you to purchase hassle-free low cost insurance for your order at checkout. It will cover your entire order against damage, not just this item. \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e8 page booklet with lyrics and rare band pics\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFirst time ever released in a collector's jewel case\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePart of the elite Metal Icon Series of Retroactive Records\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSaint's golden throat vocalist, Josh Kramer brings his elite talents on all tracks \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOriginal release received an elite review rating of 90% on Angelic Warlord!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePart of the \u003cstrong\u003eHeaven's Metal: Top 100 Christian Metal Albums Of All-Time\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFavorite Saint CD of Retroactive Records owner, Matthew Hunt\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #2b00ff;\"\u003eIn the words of White Throne Reviews', Keven Crothers \"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #2b00ff;\"\u003eThis is crunching heavy metal that is a must-buy and listen.\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #2b00ff;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #2b00ff;\"\u003eFor an 80's band making a comeback, they hit the mark big time! Saint proves with this release that it is not only wine and cheese that get much better with age.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #2b00ff;\"\u003e – Jeff McCormack (Heaven's Metal Magazine)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABOUT THE ALBUM\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA powerful storm took place in 2010 and at the center of that storm was the album from Oregon headbangers, Saint. \u003cem\u003eHell Blade\u003c\/em\u003e (the band's 8th studio album) hits the stage with all guns blazing and ready to take no prisoners. This disc is a tremendous heavy machine that is hitting on all cylinders as the band has assembled a massive array of heavy metal thunder. Josh is in all his full-throated glory, Jerry Johnson's guitars are forthright and dominant, Richard Lynch's bass work is enormously huge and the drums drive and plow the listener into total submission. Energy just oozes out of the performances. \u003cem\u003eHell Blade\u003c\/em\u003e is a masterpiece and the band has literally never sounded better.  Saint released the legendary Warriors of the Son album in 1984. As the flagship band of Pure Metal Records in the 80's, Saint proved they had the look, the sound and the mystique to win over fans of Heavy Metal. With each successive release, the band has continued to amass one of the most loyal and dedicated fan bases in Christian metal history. Saint is one of a handful of Christian metal bands that are spoken about with hushed reverence. With \u003cem\u003eHell Blade\u003c\/em\u003e, Saint straps on the leather and studs to prove that a veteran band can give fans the best release of a stunning career! \u003cspan\u003eW\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ee present a must-have CD reissue - remastered by Rob Colwell and the expanded booklet serious collector's crave (and jewel case).  For fans of Judas Priest, Dokken, and Messiah Prophet!\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/3BB2Daa56bc\" title=\"YouTube video player\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTracklist\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e(The Ascent) \u003cbr\u003eThe Blade \u003cbr\u003eTo The Cross \u003cbr\u003eCrying In The Night \u003cbr\u003eHell Train \u003cbr\u003eEndless Night \u003cbr\u003eYou \u0026amp; Me \u003cbr\u003eNew World Order \u003cbr\u003eSinner Peace \u003cbr\u003eHell Blade\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"style3\"\u003eSalem, Oregon based Saint has been on quite the comeback trail as of late.  In 2004 the group released\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eIn The Battle\u003c\/em\u003e, its first full length album since\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eToo Late For Living\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003efrom 1989, in addition to a re-recorded version of its 1984 debut EP\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eWarriors Of The Son\u003c\/em\u003e.  A live album followed in 2005, appropriately entitled\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eLive 05\u003c\/em\u003e, while full length studio efforts came out in 2006 and 2008,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Mark\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eand\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eCrime Scene Earth\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003erespectively.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"style3\"\u003eSaint returns on Retroactive Records for its latest project,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eHell Blade\u003c\/em\u003e.  Scheduled for release in early 2010, the album finds Saint staying true to its classic metal roots (think Judas Priest, Armageddon, Accept and Metal Church) but this time heading in the darker and heavier direction.  If anything,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eHell Blade\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003estrikes the perfect balance between the swarthy aggression of\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eTime’s End\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(the group’s sophomore release from 1986) and raw muscle found on\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eIn The Battle\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"style3\"\u003eMid-tempo pieces “The Blade” and “Endless Night” (notable melodies on both) and “Hell Train” and “Sinner Peace” (with their low-end intensity) best embody the joining of the “dark” and “heavy” in question.  The pace picks up with “New World Order” and “To The Cross”, two high-octane tracks driven by endless hooks, while it does not get much more powerful than the albums driving title track.  A melodic heading, in contrast, is taken on “Crying In The Night” and “You \u0026amp; Me”.  These two almost border on the commercial.  Do I dare say that?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"style3\"\u003eJosh Kramer maintains his Halford-like vocal presence.  Delivering a performance characterized by passion, heart and guts, Josh brings some low-key touches to “’Endless Night” while exhibiting an aggressive edge on “New World Order”.  “Hell Blade” best reflects his versatility and “Crying In The Night” a smoother side to his delivery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"style3\"\u003eFounding member Richard Lynch lays down some killer bass lines throughout, his low end presence standing out best on “Hell Train” and “Sinner Peace”.  Bill Brost, with his heavy footed and persuasive style, puts in perhaps the finest Saint performance on drums since John Perrine from\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eToo Late For Living\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"style3\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eHell Blade\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003efinds Jerry Johnson handling all guitar duties.  I feel at this point a rundown of the guitarists appearing on the Saint comeback albums is in order: Johnson also contributed the guitar work on\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eIn The Battle\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ewhile\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Mark\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003efeatured the efforts of Dee Harrington.  Johnson and Harrington made\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eCrime Scene Earth\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ea joint venture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"style3\"\u003eNow, do not be concerned about Harrington missing in action.  Johnson proves equally able in the soloing department – I rank the two neck and neck in overall ability – while an extra element of heaviness a second guitarist might lend is not missing.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eThat said, the only thing we might lose without Harrington is an element of musical depth.  Now, what I mean here is that in addition to being a first rate soloist, Harrington is also quite the able songwriter, having helped compose many of my favorite Saint tunes, including “Ryders” (off\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eIn The Battle\u003c\/em\u003e) and “Through The Sky” (off\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eToo Late For Living\u003c\/em\u003e).  With this in mind, if Harrington were around we might be treated to a tenth or eleventh full length song on\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eHell Blade\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(or at the very least one of his trademark shred instrumentals).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"style3\"\u003eProduction values are the finest of the four comeback albums.  The drum sound is particularly strong while guitars deliver the needed edge and bit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"style3\"\u003eLyrics touch upon many of the same apocalyptic themes present on\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Mark\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"style3\"\u003e“The Ascent”, a short instrumental with a symphonic touch, leads the way to “The Blade”.  Classic Saint in the truest sense of the word, “The Blade” proves an impassioned track with its crushing low end and proclivity on the astringent side of things.  Despite the weighty milieu, your attention will be riveted by the forthright hook and Johnson’s razor-edged leads in abundance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"style3\"\u003eA more upbeat direction is taken on “To The Cross”.  This one brings a profusion of energy, reflected in its charged verses and terse but spirited chorus upheld by backing vocals guttural as they get.  Adding to the exuberant scene is Brost, who literally goes all out behind the drum kit.  “To The Cross” touches upon the second coming:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"style3\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe darkened clouds approach\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eAnd sundown is upon them\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe earth is quaking now\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe fighting’s just begun\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eRumors, terror and war\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe fig is ripe and ready\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eAt tribulations door\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eGive it to God\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eYou know He is the way\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"style3\"\u003e“Crying In The Night” brings a melodic feel.  Melodic, of course, does not mean any less heavy, as is aptly demonstrated in the strapping riffs carrying its distance.  It must be noted how the bands youthful vigor approaches the infectious while the same can be said for the non-stop hook chorus.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"style3\"\u003e“Hell Train” slows things to a rumbling mid-paced snarl.  Low-key, dark and strapping, this one kicks up a storm of insolence with its forceful bass lines and Josh Kramer’s consummate touches of guts and drive.  Johnson’s lead work literally flashes between the left and right channels.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"style3\"\u003eSustaining the mid-tempo propensity is “Endless Night”.  An ominous presence is put forth by the song, holding sway over its commanding verse portions and trudging chorus bordering on the prodigious.  The melody you will find gripping and low end muscle massive.  “Endless Night” deals with how judgment is at hand:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"style3\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eAs we crest forsaken tides\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eWhen the word starts burning\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eAnd the loved ones left behind\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe time is now for turning\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eOne last flight, the trumpets call\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eA flash, we’re gone, a new day\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eYou can fight or come along\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eLet’s taste of life a new way\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"style3\"\u003e“You \u0026amp; Me” represents a return to a melodic based heading.  Similar to “Crying In The Night”, you will be presented with an upbeat tempo and more than abundance of continuous hooks to go around.  One cannot help but appreciate the left turn the song makes into a blues flavored instrumental section.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"style3\"\u003e“New World Order” is as heavy as it gets.  With hammering guitar riffs and assailing impetus leading the way, the song establishes an aphotic environs and joins it with lyrics of an apocalyptic variety:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"style3\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eWorld governments colliding\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eFoot in the end time snare\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eWe’ve beet the drum of reason\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eNo one seems to care\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eTerrorist militias mounting\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe words forgotten tears\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eAnd now the end is at the door\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eIt’s at the door insisting\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"style3\"\u003eI particularly enjoy the spoken word interlude that gives way to the albums best stretch of lead guitar.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"style3\"\u003eThis reviewer’s choice track is “Sinner Peace”, a tenacious four and a half minute assault that finds Saint putting forth a performance that is machine-like in its precision.  Unwavering bass lines add to the inauspicious leanings, made evident in a chorus trending towards the portent if not all out foreboding.  The focus of “Sinner Peace” is on Christ:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"style3\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eHe’s the Sinner Peace\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Knight that’s shining\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eFull of Glory\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eHe’s your inner peace\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eHe casts His light as He goes before me\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"style3\"\u003e“Hell Blade” draws things to a fitting close.  Moving at the faster tempo in comparison to the two preceding it, the song maintains the dusky heaviness of much of the albums material while yielding the occasional trace of the symphonic.  Harsh and biting backing vocals step forward to drive its chorus.  “Hell Blade” is a synonym for the Antichrist:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"style3\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eAnd he walked out from the sea into the city\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eTo set his rule and be a king\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eAnd the people of the world saw he was mighty\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eAmazing peace that he will bring\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"style3\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eFrom the darkened pit he rises up to power\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eTo build a throne with his armies\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eOn the temple mount he sets up to devour\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eAll the earth is sure to see\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eNow bow to me\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"style3\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eHell Blade\u003c\/em\u003e, all in all, features some of the finest songs of the four Saint comeback albums.  That said, it does not quite reach the consistency and continuity of\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Mark\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e(in my opinion the best of the four).  No, not once do I hit the skip button, but rather I wish\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eHell Blade\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eincluded an extra song or two in that at just over thirty-nine minutes it is on the short side of things.  Still, credit must be given to Saint for the quality production and strength of its performance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"style3\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTrack Listing:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e“The Ascent” (:38), “The Blade” (3:37), “To The Cross” (3:41), “Crying In The Night” (3:45), “Hell Train” (4:11), “Endless Night” (4:15), “You \u0026amp; Me” (3:48), “New World Order” (5:01), “Sinner Peace” (4:39),  “Hell Blade” (5:23)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"style3\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMusicians\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eJosh Kramer – Lead Vocals\u003cbr\u003eJerry Johnson – Guitars\u003cbr\u003eRichard Lynch – Bass\u003cbr\u003eBill Brost - Drums\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"style3\"\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/oUkcT645ceg\" height=\"315\" width=\"560\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Boone's Overstock","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43021422395477,"sku":"hgt1789823284610","price":9.76,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0651\/7322\/5557\/files\/saint---hell-blade-new-cd-2022-retroactive-jewel-case-remaster_1.jpg?v=1789823289","url":"https:\/\/signoffwear.shop\/products\/saint-hell-blade-new-cd-2022-retroactive-jewel-case-remaster","provider":"My Store","version":"1.0","type":"link"}