Emotion Factory Reset

“Each Armored Saint record, to me, is like a new skin for the band, a different chapter. I don't think we've ever repeated ourselves,” states bassist Joey Vera. “Every album has been pretty different from the previous one, a snapshot in time. In 2026, 'Emotion Factory Reset' is where our heads are at.”“When we start coming up with songs, I always say we can do whatever we want,” vocalist John Bush says. “Use all our influences through the years, diverse music that we listen to and love, and let that seep in and bring something new out of us. It leads to something more adventurous.”'Emotion Factory Reset', the lineup’s ninth full-length studio album since 1984’s 'March of the Saint', bears out his words, the LP a resurrection of sorts, a tearing down and a rebuilding in 11 songs of diverse musicality and lyrical themes. Produced, as were the previous four albums, by bassist Joey Vera and mixed by Jay Ruston (Anthrax, Stone Sour) 'Emotion Factory Reset' finds the quintet challenging themselves. Songs like “Close to the Bone,” “Hit a Moonshot” and “Every Man-Any Man” has Saint honoring their past as one of the most respected and recognizable bands in heavy music while making forward-thinking music rooted in the present.“‘Close to the Bone’ is a slamming hard rock/heavy metal song, but diverse in both the vibe and the way it's arranged. It feels like an Armored Saint song that came out in 2026 and I think that's really important,” Bush says. “The lyrics came from trying to figure out how to work with people who maybe you don't see eye to eye with,” he says, while Vera provided the initial impetus when his wife told him he just might keep some things too private.“Hit a Moonshot” is a band favorite. A “moonshot” can be a baseball term, and Bush, an avid sports fan, was also thinking about the parallels between sports and entertainment. As well as “people who are kings at what they do, hence the Camelot phrase,” the singer says. “People who just come through, whenever you least expect it. They just keep succeeding.”“I think the song defines what Armored Saint sounds like now,” Jeff Duncan says. “I really dig it. I used my Les Paul and an EVH amp for the rhythm guitars on everything. My solos were done with a couple different guitars; it’s simple, just good guitars plugged into a good amp and let it rip.” Additionally, “Buckeye” a song with deeply personal lyrics for Bush, is a rare instance of Duncan playing slide guitar to build the song’s mood.The track “Every Man-Any Man” is a perfect example of how Armored Saint take heavy music to a place few metal bands venture to. While “Any man has his price" may be a familiar phrase, Armored Saint turned the saying on its head to broaden and create “Every Man-Any Man.” The verses, with cool, big, and broad open chords, finds Bush singing around the music. He cites a favorite part of “Any Man”: “I love the bridge where I sing 'I’m like a rouge crazy evil cheating lucky little leprechaun.’ It sounds like some very mischievous character who is looking to come around somebody's world and keep them guarded and keep them on their toes.”“I feel the intro guitar part almost has an Andy Summers [Police] vibe to it, and then Joey goes into the cool bass groove that’s just vintage Joey,” Bush says. “Combined with Gonzo, the grooves they create are essential to Armored Saint's sound. When they lock in, It's like they could be playing in the Commodores.”“My playing is more relaxed and dynamic now,” Gonzo Sandoval affirms. “I've been really focusing on my hands-stick control-and I'm feeling comfortable with my singles, doubles, paradiddles, making creative ideas on the drum set smoother and more easily accessible.”The song process begins with Vera working up music and recording fully realized demos. “Before 'Emotion Factory Reset', I acquired a new guitar from ESP,” Vera explains. “And sometimes when I get a new toy, it inspires me. I loved the guitar, and immediately songs started coming. I believe the first written was ‘Compromise.’ In the past, I’ve written some songs that are on the long side, epics. But I wanted to challenge myself and write a bit more concisely.”“Throwing Caution to the Wind” saw the whole band in the studio writing, old-school style. “We’re not 20 years old anymore with no obligations or responsibilities, so it’s not as easy as it used to be to go into the studio and have a couple drinks and just see what comes out of it,” they say.Bush, one of music’s most respected vocalists, operates from a place of passion and presence in the studio and on stage. In fact, about 85% of his vocals from the last three Armored Saint records are taken from the demo sessions, capturing the raw power. While Vera is a granular and detailed writer, like Bush, the bassist says, “I try not to overthink and be right where I'm at that time. I really don't look over my shoulder much, like, ‘what did I