ARMORED SAINT - SYMBOL OF SALVATION 12" Vinyl LP Album
- A Heavy Metal Classic with Rare Vinyl Insights
Armored Saint's 1991"Symbol of Salvation"
12" Vinyl LP, produced by Dave Jerden and Brian Slagel, holds historical significance in the evolving metal landscape. Amid the tragic loss of guitarist Dave Pritchard to leukemia, the album, featuring Jeff Duncan's notable guitar work, symbolizes resilience. Eddy Schreyer's mastering and Canyon Design's visual contributions add depth, making it a timeless representation of the band's dedication during a pivotal era in metal. This web-page has hi-res photos of the album covers, record label and a detailed description.
Armored Saint's "Symbol of Salvation" 12" Vinyl LP stands as a timeless testament to the band's prowess in the metal scene during the early '90s. Released in 1991, the album not only marked a significant moment in the discography of Armored Saint but also encapsulated the essence of the era's metal landscape.
In the context of the early 1990s, the metal genre was undergoing a transformation, with various subgenres and styles emerging. Armored Saint, hailing from the metal hub of Los Angeles, contributed to this dynamic period with "Symbol of Salvation." The album's release coincided with a time of both innovation and diversification within the metal community.
Tragically, the production of the album was marred by the untimely death of guitarist Dave Pritchard, who succumbed to leukemia before the final mix and recording. This somber event adds a poignant layer to the album, making it a symbol not just of salvation but also of resilience and dedication in the face of adversity.
The production team behind "Symbol of Salvation" played a crucial role in shaping its sonic landscape. Dave Jerden, renowned for his work with other metal acts, took on the role of producer. Brian Slagel, a notable figure in the metal industry, also contributed as a producer, while Annette Cisneros and Brian Carlstrom served as sound engineers, ensuring the album's sonic quality met the high standards of the time.
Eddy Schreyer, who sadly passed away in 2013, made significant contributions to the album through mastering and additional work as a sound engineer. The mastering process is crucial in refining the final sound of the album, and Schreyer's involvement reflects the commitment to delivering a polished and impactful musical experience.
The visual aspects of the album were not overlooked, with Canyon Design handling the logo design. Album art and logos were pivotal in establishing a band's identity, and Canyon Design's work added a visual component that complemented the music.
The photography for "Symbol of Salvation" was a collaborative effort, featuring the work of John Scarpati and William Hames. Visual elements in metal culture often hold symbolic significance, and the album's artwork and photographs contributed to the overall narrative that Armored Saint aimed to convey.
Jeff Duncan's guitar work on the album played a crucial role in defining its sound. His contributions, along with those of the entire band, showcased a musicality that resonated with fans and critics alike. "Symbol of Salvation" wasn't just an album; it was a statement that demonstrated Armored Saint's ability to navigate the evolving metal landscape with skill and authenticity.
Released in 1991, the album found its place in a period of transition for metal, merging traditional elements with the emerging trends of the time. Armored Saint's "Symbol of Salvation" remains a significant chapter in the band's history, a musical offering that not only paid homage to the roots of metal but also pushed its boundaries, leaving an indelible mark on the genre.
Album Production Information:
The album: "Symbol of Salvation" was produced by:
Dave Jerden - Producer
Brian Slagel - Producer
Brian Slagel is a pioneering figure in heavy metal, best known as the founder of Metal Blade Records in 1982. His label launched the careers of legendary bands like Metallica, Slayer, and Mercyful Fate, shaping the genre’s evolution. As a producer, he worked with Flotsam and Jetsam, Exciter, and Trouble, leaving a lasting impact.
Learn more about Brian Slagel.
Annette Cisneros - Sound Engineer
Brian Carlstrom (1961-2013) - Sound Engineer
Bryan Carlstrom (Brian Carlstrom) an versatile and experienced Producer and Sound Engineer in rock, hip-hop, punk, jazz, heavy metal, etc. This document covers the heavy metal bands and albums he has produced or engineered during the 1980s, which include bands like "Sacred Reich", Tyrant, Incubus, Pandemonium, etc. "Brian Carlstrom" and "Ken Paulakovich" having been working on the same albums on several occasions. These albums include: "Money Talks - Cryptic Slaughter", "A Distant Thunder - Helstar", "Serpent Temptation - Incubus", "The Kill, Pandemonium", "Ignorance - Sacred Reich", "Depths of Death - Sentinel", "Too Late to Pray - Tyrant". "Scott Campbell" worked also with them on "Money Talks - Cryptic Slaughter", and "Tyrant - Too late to Pray".
Eddy Schreyer - Mastering, Sound Engineer
Eddy Schreyer, a top-tier mastering engineer and founder of Oasis Mastering, has shaped the sonic intensity of heavy metal for decades. His expert touch has refined albums by Slayer, Korn, System of a Down, and Slipknot, ensuring powerful clarity and relentless aggression. With over 30 years in the industry, Schreyer remains a key figure in metal production.
Read more about Eddy Schreyer.
Canyon Design - Logo Design
John Scarpati - Photographer
John Scarpati a professional photographer whose photography has appeared on hundreds of album and CD covers for bands and individual musicians. In the 1980s he has photographed Heavy Metal bands including: Rigor Mortis, Sound Barrier, Armored Saint, Ruthless, Rush, Wrathchild America, Eden, Bitch, Stryper, Black Sheep, Rage, Trauma, Poison and many others..
William Hames - Photography
William Hames a photographer (and musician) with American/Japanese origins who has photographed dozens of Heavy Metal bands. During the late 1980s he started photographing Japanese metal bands like Anthem, Loudness and later bands like: Bow Wow, Dokken , Lääz Rockit , W.A.S.P. He continues photographing Heavy Metal bands until the early 2000s.
12" Vinyl Stereo Full-Length Long-Play Gramophone Record
Album weight: 230 gram
Year & Country:
1991 Made in England
Band Members and Musicians on: Armored Saint Symbol of Salvation
Band Members, Musicians, and Performers
John Bush - Vocals
Jeff Duncan - Guitars
Phil Sandoval - Guitars
Joey Vera - Bass
Joseph "Joey" Vera a bass player and singer from Los Angeles, California. During the 1980's Joey Vera he has mainly performed in the American Heavy Metal band "Armored Saint".
Gonzo Sandoval - Drums
Guest musicians:
Dave Prichard - First guitar solo on "Tainted Past"
Aaron Plunkett - Tabla
Complete Track Listing of: "Symbol of Salvation"
The Songs/tracks on "Symbol of Salvation" are
Reign Of Fire
Dropping Like Flies
Last Train Home
Tribal Dance
The Truth Always Hurts
Half Drawn Bridge
Another Day
Symbol Of Salvation
Hanging Judge
Warzone
Burning Question
Tainted Past
Spineless
Album Cover Photo Gallery of: Armored Saint Symbol of Salvation
Photo of "Symbol of Salvation" Album's Front Cover
Armored Saint - Symbol of Salvation album cover features a dark, textured background with a mix of deep browns, blacks, and golden hues, creating an aged, almost burnt effect. The abstract patterning and soft light reflections give the background a distressed metallic or parchment-like quality.
Centered is an ornate, antique-style mirror frame with intricate baroque detailing, including elegant curves and flourishes. Inside the frame is a fragmented and distorted image of a human torso, bound in chains, evoking a sense of struggle, captivity, or symbolic sacrifice.
The band's name, Armored Saint, is prominently displayed at the top in a bold metallic font, featuring a sharp-edged, futuristic design. The word Saint appears on a golden plaque beneath it, adding a regal and almost sacred quality to the typography. At the bottom, the album title, Symbol of Salvation, is presented in clean white capital letters, standing out starkly against the moody, shadowed background.
The overall composition merges classical, gothic, and modern metal aesthetics, creating a visually arresting cover that reflects the album’s themes of resilience, struggle, and redemption.
Photo of "Symbol of Salvation" Album's Back Cover
Back cover of Armored Saint's 'Symbol of Salvation' album features a striking band portrait against a dark, textured background with golden hues, similar to the front cover. The abstract patterns resemble aged metal or distressed parchment, enhancing the album's gritty aesthetic.
The five band members are arranged in a staggered formation, with lead vocalist John Bush positioned front and center, wearing a black leather jacket over a dark shirt, accessorized with a gold cross necklace. To his left and right stand Joey Vera (denim jacket, open black shirt), Jeff Duncan (black leather jacket), Gonzo Sandoval (black turtleneck), and Phil Sandoval (blue denim vest, black gloves). Their intense gazes and long, curly hair embody the classic early-'90s heavy metal look.
Above the band, the track listing is prominently displayed in bold white capital letters, divided into two sections: Side 1 and Side 2. The text is aligned centrally, making it easily readable against the dark backdrop.
In the lower right corner, the Metal Blade Records logo appears alongside distribution details, including Roadrunner Records and NRG, indicating the album’s European distribution. A barcode and catalog number 20300 20 are also visible.
The overall design captures the essence of Armored Saint's hard-hitting, no-nonsense metal identity, while maintaining a classic, timeless aesthetic.
Photo of "Symbol of Salvation" Album's Inner Sleeve
Inner sleeve of Armored Saint's 'Symbol of Salvation' album presents a classic, monochromatic design with five black-and-white portrait photographs of the band members arranged in a structured layout.
At the top, three individual portraits feature John Bush (vocals), Joey Vera (bass), and Gonzo Sandoval (drums). Below them, two more images show Phil Sandoval (guitar) and Jeff Duncan (guitar). Each band member is posed against a brick wall, exuding a raw, gritty atmosphere that complements the album's heavy metal aesthetic. The musicians wear their signature leather jackets, denim, and dark clothing, reinforcing their classic metal image.
Centered between the photos is the band's name, Armored Saint, in a bold, stylized metallic logo. Below the logo, a large block of white text features special thanks and acknowledgments, including names of producers, engineers, friends, and industry supporters who contributed to the album’s production and success.
Further down, additional text provides the band's contact information, reading 'Armored Saint Empire, P.O. Box 98, Temple City, CA 91780.' The bottom section also contains copyright details, indicating that all songs were arranged by Armored Saint and are published under Metal Blade Records.
The overall design is minimalistic yet effective, with a stark black background contrasting sharply against the white text and images. This layout emphasizes the band's identity while paying tribute to those involved in the album's creation.
Close-up Photo of "Symbol of Salvation" Record Label
Close-up of the record label on Side 1 of Armored Saint's 'Symbol of Salvation' vinyl LP features a white background with black text, providing a stark contrast for readability.
At the top, the Metal Blade Records logo is prominently displayed, featuring a bold, stylized sword slashing through the label name, reinforcing the label's heavy metal identity.
Below the logo, the record's catalog number, 'ZORRO 20', is printed on the left side, next to the designation 'SIDE 1' and the playback speed '33 ⅓ rpm', indicating the standard format for long-play vinyl records.
The album title, 'Symbol of Salvation', and the band's name, 'Armored Saint', appear in capital letters, centered for emphasis. The tracklist for Side 1 is listed beneath, including song titles, songwriting credits, and track durations.
The outer rim of the label contains a legal disclaimer, stating, 'All rights of the manufacturer and owner of the recorded work reserved. Unauthorized public performance, broadcasting, and copying of this record prohibited.'
The label design is clean and professional, emphasizing the essential details while maintaining a classic heavy metal aesthetic.
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Armored Saint's Raising Fear is an outstanding album that showcases the band's musical prowess and ability to connect with listeners on an emotional level. From the powerful opening track to the thought-provoking closing anthem, the album takes listeners on a journey through the highs and lows of the human experience.
"Symbol of Salvation," etched onto a 1991 UK 12" Vinyl LP, stands as a poignant masterpiece from L.A.'s iconic metal collective, Armored Saint. This release bears the weight of tragedy, as Dave Pritchard's battle with leukemia cast a somber shadow over its creation. Despite adversity, the album's powerful sound and emotional depth endure, forever memorializing both the band's resilience and Pritchard's enduring spirit.
