Released 6 years ago this October
Punching the Sky
Armored Saint · 2020
53 min · 11 tracks · heavy metal
A powerful blend of melodic riffs and introspective lyrics that embody classic heavy metal's vigor and modern reflections.
Top tracks — play these first
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Standing on the Shoulders of Giants — This opening track sets a reflective tone for the album, combining intricate guitar work with themes of resilience and legacy.
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End of the Attention Span — With its driving rhythm and sharp lyrics, this song critiques modern society’s fleeting focus, making it a standout commentary on contemporary culture.
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Lone Wolf — This track showcases a more introspective side of Armored Saint, emphasizing individuality and personal struggle through compelling melodies and powerful vocals.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong musicianship and thematic depth but lacks the impact of earlier works.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a strong mid-tempo track that sets a consistent pace, followed by several songs that maintain this energy before the final tracks slow down.
- Each song features intricate guitar work, often with harmonized leads and melodic solos that are characteristic of classic heavy metal.
- Lyrically, the album explores themes of introspection and societal commentary, with verses that often lead into powerful choruses.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
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 mid-tempo progression
- introspective lyrics for reflection
- focused listening with depth
- resonant themes of resilience
- consistent flow throughout album
Maybe skip if you
- prefer instant gratification tracks
- seek purely upbeat energy
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released on October 23, 2020, 'Punching the Sky' marked Armored Saint's first studio album in five years, following their critically acclaimed 'Win Hands Down' from 2015. At this point in their career, the band had solidified their legacy within the heavy metal genre while continuing to evolve musically with a focus on personal themes and societal observations.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Metallica· Anthrax· Judas Priest
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Standing on the Shoulders of Giants 6:46
- 2 End of the Attention Span 5:13
- 3 Bubble 5:22
- 4 My Jurisdiction 4:39
- 5 Do Wrong to None 5:06
- 6 Lone Wolf 4:18
- 7 Missile to Gun 4:23
- 8 Fly in the Ointment 5:02
- 9 Bark, No Bite 4:18
- 10 Unfair 4:03
- 11 Never You Fret 4:19
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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