Guitar & Bass Tabs
Armored Saint
About Armored Saint
Armored Saint formed in Los Angeles in 1982, rising from the city’s vibrant metal scene with a bold blend of ironclad riffs and memorable melodies. Their early albums established a hard-hitting, groove-infused metal voice that would influence later generations of traditional and power metal players. From the debut Armored Saint (1984) to Delirious Nomads (1985), they built a reputation for tight rhythm sections and hooky guitar harmonies that could cut through even the loudest live rooms.
On March of the Saint (1989) they delivered their breakthrough, with fans citing Can You Deliver as a defining track of the era. The band weathered lineup changes and a hiatus, then reemerged in the 1990s and 2010s with renewed energy and a steady stream of acclaimed albums, including Symbol of Salvation and the later La Raza and Punching the Sky, proving their staying power in the evolving metal landscape.
Today Armored Saint remains a cornerstone of classic metal, credited with influencing a wide range of bands while continuing to tour and release new material. Their legacy rests on a fearless combination of aggressive riffcraft, melodic storytelling, and a DIY ethic that keeps their music resonant with both long-time fans and new players discovering the genre today.
🎸 Want to know what gear Armored Saint used, their playing style, and fun facts? Scroll below the lessons!
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Can You Deliver
Armored Saint
View Tab →Playing Style
Armored Saint crafts a guitar-driven attack built around a dual-guitar dynamic, pounding rhythm parts, palm-muted chugging, and soaring melodic leads. Expect tight power-chord progressions, precise alternate picking, and well-placed bends that thread heroic melodies through heavy riffs. The band’s sound thrives on groove as well as speed, with guitar lines weaving in and out of bass and drums to create an unmistakable, classic metal texture that rewards accurate timing and clean intonation from the player.
🎸 Gear & Equipment
Iconic gear for Armored Saint typically centers on thick, tube-driven tones. Think humbucker-equipped guitars such as Les Paul-style and other solid bodies paired with reliable workhorse amps from Marshall or Mesa/Boogie, often pushed with modest delay or chorus for width. A handful of analog effects—delay, chorus, and flanger—help sculpt the band’s characteristic lead tones and shimmering harmonies that sit right in the mix.
Why Learn Armored Saint Songs?
Learning Armored Saint riffs provides a solid workout in rock fundamentals: tight rhythm technique, accurate palm muting, clean power-chord execution, and expressive lead phrasing. The songs strike a balance between aggressive, downbeat grooves and melodic hooks, making them accessible to players advancing from beginner to intermediate levels. Working through Can You Deliver and other material builds stamina, precision, and a deeper understanding of how to craft memorable riffs that drive a metal song forward.
Did You Know?
- 1Formed in Los Angeles in 1982, Armored Saint helped shape the late 80s metal sound.
- 2Their 1989 album March of the Saint features the enduring fan favorite Can You Deliver.
- 3After a period of hiatus, the band re-emerged in the 2010s with acclaimed releases like La Raza and Punching the Sky.
- 4Longtime bassist Joey Vera has been a driving creative force and hallmark of the band's sound.
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