| Musical Style: Classic Metal | Produced By: Bradley S. Hamilton |
| Record Label: Pure Metal / Retroactive | Country Of Origin: USA |
| Year Released: 1986 / 2020 | Artist Website: Saint |
| Tracks: 9 | Rating: 85% |
| Running Time: 37:21 |
The 1986 Pure Metal Records sophomore Saint album Time’s End was special for more than just its classic to traditional metal sounds. Released in follow up to the groups Rotton Records 1984 debut EP Warriors of The Son, Time’s End found Saint benefiting from the continuity of having carried over its flagship lineup of vocalist Josh Kramer, bassist Richard Lynch and guitarist John Mahan. Gist is the manner in which Saint hit its musical stride on Time’s End, taking all aspects of the recording process (particularly production) to the next level and generating the more mature package of songs rooted in strong hooks and catchier riffs in the process.
Classic metal might be an accurate indicator of what Saint brings to the table, but it is also somewhat limiting in that close listen to Time’s End reveals the group stretching and expanding into more aggressive speed and thrash metal territory. Yet, at a moments notice, Saint can also switch musical gears and yield some accessible melodic heavy metal aspects, even if slightly and not to a fault. Regardless of style designation, one cannot suggest that throughout its five-decade existence Saint does not deliver ‘class leading performance’, quoting the 90% Angelic Warlord review of its January of 2020 most recent album The Calf, and such is the case with Time’s End.
An out of print and hard to find collectors item, Time’s End was re-issued in 2011 by Retroactive Records in the digi-pak format after having been re-mastered by J. Powell at Steinhaus. A second re-issue from the spring of 2020 also attributes to Retroactive but as a Gold Disc Edition CD and re-mastering by Rob Colwell of Bombworks Sound. Detailed jewel case mini booklet to include lyrics in an easy to read font, montage of vintage band photos and write up from Lynch attributes to Scott Waters of No Life Til Metal Graphics.
So how does the re-mastering between the two versions compare? Close listen reveals both for the most part do the same thing: bring volume levels up to modern standards and lending an added dose of polish to better enhance the background details. That said, when placed alongside, Steinhaus underlies a slight bass heavier feel and Colwell a crisper rhythm guitar edge. Accept this, of course, as observation and not a critique in that both sound great!
Opener “In The Night” separates with its high intensity riff action. A vehement technical metal aura reveals, with the song kicking up a furious storm its length with shouted backing vocals upholding its heavy hitting refrain and Halford-influenced vocalist Kramer cutting loose with several high-end falsettos. An understated melody shrewdly ties everything together.
“Island Prisoner” aligns aspects of the heavy and melodic. One of the albums catchier refrains reveals alongside Lynch’s up-tempo bass line (noting the latter) but also a darker form rooted in the group’s traditional metal aesthetic (referencing former). Mahan adds a nasty stretch of lead guitar to a number dealing with the Apostle John, who wrote the book of Revelation while banished to the Island of Patmos in the Mediterranean:
Island prisoner
You're no visitor
Visions you've witness unveiled in a book
Why are they all coming true
Things that you're saying come from within
No man can take it away
Few will believe you the message you learned
You’re going into exile today
Not in your wildest dreams
Could you ever imagined the revelation you have seen
A warning for mankind to see
Will they ever awaken to the devastation that will be
“Space Cruiser” proves masterful with its time and tempo changes. The song gets underway at a relentless clip - mirroring some of those as noted speed metal elements - as it rushes forward to a ripping lead guitar run. At moments notice, however, impetus decelerates for a plodding passage hinting of the doom-like to include another biting guitar solo. The furious pace returns to close things out.
Saint’s melodic heavy metal side stands out on “Through You”. Yes, this one tempers heaviness in comparison to some, albeit staying true to the meaty Saint sound, but also highlighting an accessible side not always unveiled by the group, embodied in how Kramer smoothes his vocal delivery. Lyrics deal with struggles in the life of a Christian:
Knowing that your Word is real
Knowing that You're true
Still I find myself in chains
Can't make it without You
Looking to Your guiding light
Wanting to come in
Always there to help me out
You pick me up again
Good times come and good times go
I'll always need You
Showing me the wrongs and rights
Your love comes shinning through
Best of all You help me when
Temptations enter in
You conquered the darkest night
You made me new again
“Time’s End” rates with the albums heaviest. With clashing symbols to start, albums title track decelerates to a portent mid-pace rumble in emanating of a technical metal design but also underpinning a persuasive catchiness with an intricate melody to ensnare you with repeat list. The monster lower-register groove combined with the snarling sense of doom makes for a Saint classic.
“Primed And Ready” draws upon an accessible traditional metal form not unlike “Island Prisoner”. In similar fashion, engaging hooks prevail, chorus is of a grip you on first listen quality, but so does a lower register resonance, darkly woven with distorted guitar leads throughout. The second coming is the subject at hand:
When it all has come to pass
When the first have become last
When evils lost the final fight
To the King and all His might
Memories will fade away
The horrors of forgotten days
Except the one who's chosen wrath
He tasting death who's laughing last
Primed and ready
The end of time is near
Someone's shouting
He's coming back for those who care
No nonsense metal cut “Destroyers” might not represent albums most melodic but delivers its share of charm all the same. It begins with a cameo appearance of the groups shouted backing vocals - ‘Destroyers, destroyers of the world!’ – but also includes one of the great lines in all of Christian metal: ‘Don’t miss the end of the world / It’s the greatest show on earth / Most everybody’s got their tickets / And they’ll really get their moneys worth’. I identify with “Destroyers” as an underrated deep cut in Saint’s repertoire.
“Phantom Of The Galaxy” is a speed metal romper to remind of “Space Cruiser”. Truncated at two and a half minutes, it proves about subtle as a buzz saw with its remorseless tempo but also projects as surprisingly melodic despite the turbulent rise. Unexpectedly, it cuts out and segues to “Steel Killer”, albums lengthiest at six minutes to break down into two parts: first two minutes echo of the hulking in led by driving guitar signatures and added falsettos, while final four constituted lengthy instrumental moments (to highlight some thrash based riffs) interwoven with powering verses and curtly done refrain. The two expose Satan and his hatred for mankind:
What is the fate of those that you hate
Binding your victims they're tortured and chained
In your clammy grip a monster insane,
Poison and perfume come in small flasks
Pours out like water to those that dare ask
Is there protection from this evil being
One to stand and fight
There is provision from the One who brings
Truth so full of might
Death is due destruction evils last fight
End of all darkness when morning meets the night
If Time’s End does not feature the best selection of songs on a Saint album, it comes close, only challenged by subsequent release Too Late For Living (1988) and comeback efforts The Mark/The Revelation (2006/2011), Hell Blade (2010) and the as noted The Calf. All the needed ingredients are at hand: technical metal fortitude, catchy hooks and surprisingly notable melodies while rooted in traditional metal territory but at times making excursions in the direction of speed metal. Give credit to Retroactive Records for making Time’s End available in such a highly upgraded Gold Disc Edition format (noting the re-mastering and packaging).
Review by Andrew Rockwell
Track Listing: "In The Night" (3:26), "Island Prisoner" (4:21), "Space Cruiser" (5:16), "Through You" (4:11), "Time’s End" (4:41), "Primed And Ready" (3:47), "Destroyers" (3:18), "Phantom Of The Galaxy” (2:33), “Steel Killer" (5:46)
Musicians
Josh Kramer – Vocals
John Mahan – Guitars
Richard Lynch – Bass
Brian Willis – Drums
