What makes March of the Saint by Armored Saint notable?

The album received positive critical reviews, helping to solidify Armored Saint's place within the heavy metal genre during the early 1980s. It contributed to the rise of American heavy metal bands at a time when British influences were dominant, showcasing a unique sound that would influence future acts in the genre. March of the Saint is Armored Saint's debut album, released in 1984 when the band was establishing their identity in the burgeoning heavy metal scene. Following their formation in 1982, they aimed to carve out a niche amongst contemporaries like Metallica and Slayer, balancing melody with hard-hitting riffs.

Who is March of the Saint for?

March of the Saint works well if you're into steady, consistent energy levels, dynamic emotional journeys and long, immersive listening sessions.

How many songs are on March of the Saint?

March of the Saint has 10 tracks, running approximately 38 minutes.

March of the Saint

Armored Saint · 1984

38 min · 10 tracks · heavy metal

A raw blend of heavy metal aggression and melodic hooks that captures the spirit of early 80s rock.

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Top tracks — play these first

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March of the Saint — The title track encapsulates the band's mission, combining powerful guitar riffs with anthemic choruses that set the tone for the album.
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Mad House — This track highlights the band's energetic performance style and features a catchy hook that remains a fan favorite, showcasing their melodic sensibility.
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Mutiny on the World — With its driving rhythm and socially conscious lyrics, this song exemplifies Armored Saint's ability to blend personal themes with broader societal commentary.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

43 /100

Lowland

Higher than 2% of albums we've rated

The album showcases solid songwriting and performance typical of early American heavy metal but lacks standout uniqueness.

What we noticed

The album opens with a title track that features a driving rhythm and layered guitar harmonies, establishing its heavy metal sound immediately.
Several tracks incorporate dual guitar solos that trade off throughout, enhancing the melodic aspect of the aggressive instrumentation.
The pacing varies, with mid-tempo tracks like 'Can U Deliver' contrasting with faster songs such as 'Mad House', creating dynamic shifts in energy.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 5/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady, consistent energy levels
dynamic emotional journeys
long, immersive listening sessions
contemplative reflective moments

Where this album fits

Career context: March of the Saint is Armored Saint's debut album, released in 1984 when the band was establishing their identity in the burgeoning heavy metal scene. Following their formation in 1982, they aimed to carve out a niche amongst contemporaries like Metallica and Slayer, balancing melody with hard-hitting riffs.
Stylistic neighbors: Metallica· Anthrax· Judas Priest