ARMORED SAINT released "Symbol of Salvation," widely considered their finest album and one of the most unjustly overlooked heavy metal records of its era. The album carried exceptional emotional weight — guitarist Dave Prichard had died from leukemia on February 9, 1990, as recording was just beginning, and "Symbol of Salvation" was dedicated entirely to his memory. The band channeled grief and determination into some of their most inspired performances. John Bush's vocals were at his career best, delivering powerhouse turns on "The Truth Always Hurts," "Half Drawn Bridge," "Reign of Fire," and "Dropping Like Flies." The album blended traditional heavy metal muscularity with progressive song structures and a soulful depth that completely set it apart from the formulaic LA metal of the era. Produced by Dave Jerden and Max Norman, the record had a sound built for arenas. Tragically, it would be ARMORED SAINT's final album for a decade, as Bush departed to join ANTHRAX in 1992. "Symbol of Salvation" stands as the definitive statement of a band that deserved far greater commercial success than they ever received.
