Armored Saint's latest album, Emotion Factory Reset, is a disappointing follow-up to their critically acclaimed 2020 release, Punching the Sky. While the band's early 80s energy and charisma are still present, the album feels like a step back in terms of musical impact and overall quality. The album opens with the promising lead single, "Close to the Bone," which is a solid track, but it quickly becomes apparent that the rest of the album falls short of the band's previous work.
The album's sound is a mix of classic L.A. hard rock and safe dad rock, with a lack of the fiery and adrenalized metal sound that made Punching the Sky so memorable. The individual performances are fine, with John Bush delivering his usual charismatic frontman performance, but the overall sound is too generic and lacks the soul and grit that made Armored Saint stand out in the past. The album feels like a collection of half-baked radio rock tracks, with only a few standout moments.
One thing that immediately stands out is the album's title, Emotion Factory Reset, which is a bit of a misnomer. The album doesn't feel like a reset at all, but rather a step back in terms of musical direction. The album art also doesn't match the title, which is a bit of a letdown. The band's early 80s energy and charisma are still present, but the album feels like a step back in terms of musical impact and overall quality.
In my opinion, the album is a disappointment, with only a few standout tracks. The rest of the album feels like a collection of generic radio rock tracks, with a lack of the soul and grit that made Armored Saint stand out in the past. I hope that the band will rebound with their next release, but for now, Emotion Factory Reset is a step back for the band.
Rating: 2.5/5.0
One thing that makes this album particularly fascinating is the contrast between the band's early energy and charisma, and the more generic sound of the album. It raises a deeper question about the band's artistic direction and whether or not they are still capable of creating music that stands out in the modern metal scene. It also suggests that the band may need to re-evaluate their approach to creating music that resonates with their fans and stands out in the crowded metal landscape.
