Metal Blade Records and cult metal band ARMORED SAINT return with their second full length DVD called ARMORED SAINT MAGAZINE: LESSONS NOT WELL LEARNED. ARMORED SAINT is a holdover from the 1980s, who like many others of their era reunited in the late 1990s,’ riding the re-evolution of the MANOWAR-IRON MAIDEN-type bands which are quite popular these days. Many of the groups from the 1980s have rode this wave and reunited, but offering little in terms of their original promise. ARMORED SAINT is one of the exceptions who have stuck to their roots and still delivering the goods creatively speaking (and live as well). Perhaps its because that several members of A.S. have gone on to other bands and have improved as musicians and performers (like how Joey Vera has done with the super-technical FATES WARNING, and John Bush giving a stagnated ANTHRAX a much needed shot in the arm). Regardless, the ARMORED SAINT of today are still relevant when the band members can get their schedules together. Until that time, the band and their label have put out this release to tide their fans over until they can put together another album. ARMORED SAINT MAGAZINE makes for a sequel of sorts to their first DVD release, A TRIP THRU RED TIMES, which chronicled their early years right up until the release of the 1991 album, SYMBOL OF SALVATION, where they looked poised to break through to the mainstream. But the arrival of the PANTERA/MACHINEHEAD type bands put an end to the appreciation of the classic metal style, and ARMORED SAINT disbanded, only to rise again with the arrival of the Y2K bug. Anyway, ARMORED SAINT MAGAZINE covers the bands history from 1991 to the present.

The main feature of ARMORED SAINT MAGAZINE: LESSONS NOT WELL LEARNED is an hour-long showcase of ARMORED SAINT live bootleg clips from performances around the globe. The VHS footage represents the band from the period between 1991 and 2001. There is some backstage footage glimpsed between songs, and an introduction (and closing) by ARMORED SAINT drummer Gonzo posing as a geeky Rock n Roll journalist. This documentary-influenced main feature includes the following set list of new and old songs:

• Paydirt San Diego, CA 2001
• Warzone Los Angeles, CA 1991
• Truth Always Hurts Los Angeles, CA 1991
• After Me, the Flood Germany 2000
• Take a Turn Anaheim, CA 1991
• Symbol of Salvation San Deigo, CA, 2001
• Tainted Past Los Angeles, CA 1991
• Creepy Feelings Germany 2000
• Another Day Los Angeles, CA 1991
• For the Sake Anaheim, CA 1991
• Tension Los Angeles, CA 2001
• Tribal Dance Los Angeles, CA 2001

Well folks, I hate to say this, but after the superb A TRIP THRU RED TIMES DVD, ARMORED SAINT MAGAZINE is quite a let down. Despite this DVD being produced by Joey Vera (who is known as a perfectionist), I blame Metal Blade Records owner Brian Slagel, who has always been clueless about showcasing his talented roster of bands on home video. Slagel is also known as the Roger Corman of Heavy Metal—that is, taking the cheapest way out whenever he can—hence his penchant for handheld bootleg concert footage (off course he'll still sink his money into another lame live CANNIBAL CORPSE DVD). The end credits pretty much tells the whole story. The folks at Metal Blade records graciously thank the fans for providing the shaky, colorless concert footage used in ARMORED SAINT MAGAZINE. In other worlds, Slagel did not have to put forth the big bucks to have ARMORED SAINT captured live using 15 high-tech cameras. Nor did he have to shell out for good quality sound (like a Dolby Digital or DTS stereo surround track). Despite the fine digital quality of DVD, VHS bootleg footage will always be blurry and faded. And unlike A TRIP THRU RED TIMES, Metal Blade has done absolutely no audio re-mastering for this feature. There is no Dolby Digtial 5.1 remix; the great music of ARMORED SAINT is reduced to a flat, tinny production that emerges from of your home theater setup like an old faded Mono 8-track tape. While other labels are putting out gorgeously presented 2+ hour rock concerts with the choice of house-shaking Dolby Digital or DTS audio presentations, Brian Slagel’s video label is technically and creatively still in the 1980s.

To further illustrate the weakness of this disc, lets compare their first DVD with ARMORED SAINT MAGAZINE. The A TRIP THRU RED TIMES disc contained the main feature; a thoughtful, well-produced documentary on the history of ARMORED SAINT that contained live concert footage, music videos, promos, bootleg footage, and more. This near 90 minute feature was remastered in Dolby Digital 5.1 sound—even the bootleg stuff sounded good. Then A TRIP THRU RED TIMES also included every single music video they have done (all 6), and a one hour long interview with the band members. So we are talking well over two hours worth of entertainment. Plus the main documentary on A TRIP THRU RED TIMES blows away the one-hour bootleg-fest you see on ARMORED SAINT MAGAZINE. The TIMES documentary is very well done, and emotionally touching too, as it is stands as a tribute to their late guitar player Dave Pritchard. Where TIMES is accurate, interesting, and emotional, ARMORED SAINT MAGAZINE is flat and boring, and the antics of Gonzo in disguise are hardly amusing.

From the Special Features menu, you can view music videos for Last Train Home, Reign of Fire, or Symbol of Salvation (that last one is a another conglomeration of bootleg footage). You can also access the ARMORED SAINT discography, Website, and Photo Gallery. There is also some shorts on here. The first one is called Promo Bloopers and it features various members of A.S. missing their lines during radio shows and interviews. Another short is Gonzo Bloopers where we see Armored Saint’s drummer flubbing his lines. The final segment is called Soundcheck and it contains the bands roadies and sound engineers setting up the levels while non-Saint members jam onstage.

I think Joey Vera and the members of ARMORED SAINT, upon seeing the disappointing results of the main feature of ARMORED SAINT MAGAZINE decided to give their fans more bang for their buck. The text on the packaging proudly proclaims the inclusion of their music videos Last Train Home and Reign of Fire. But these videos were on A TRIP THRU RED TIMES, so they have no value to fans now. So then they added a separate live audio CD to entice buyers. Much as I am a fan of the band, I cannot give ARMORED SAINT MAGAZINE high marks. The only positive thing I can say about it is the Magazine-style authoring & design of the DVD. There are some hardcore fans of ARMORED SAINT who will buy this just for completion’s sake; but I say save your money for the day when ARMORED SAINT put out a high quality live concert DVD with a variety of audio options. It probably won’t ever happen as long as the band are on Brian Slagel’s Metal Blade Records. This DVD is appropriately named. It appears that ARMORED SAINT have not learned their lesson yet.