Photo Credit: Travis Shinn
Armored Saint, the renowned American heavy metal band, has released their new single “Hit A Moonshot” from their upcoming album Emotion Factory Reset, scheduled for release on May 22nd via Metal Blade Records. The track is a dynamic blend of ferocious riffs, tempo changes, and soaring vocals, embodying the band’s signature sound.
The song title, “Hit A Moonshot,” draws from baseball terminology describing a high-arching home run, symbolizing moments when people “knock it out of the park” in life. Vocalist John Bush uses this sports metaphor to highlight the unpredictable nature of success and luck, praising those who manage to land on their feet despite challenges. He contrasts this with the struggles of talented individuals who may not achieve the same fortune, reflecting on life’s inherent imbalance.
Bassist Joey Vera states the intro riff evokes memories from his teenage years in a Los Angeles garage band, though the current version has evolved significantly. He incorporated a half-time feel in the chorus to add variety and maintain the classic Armored Saint vibe. Guitarist Jeff Duncan describes the recording process, emphasizing the use of a Les Paul guitar and an EVH amplifier for rhythm parts, with solos performed on various guitars to achieve a raw, powerful sound.
Watch ARMORED SAINT’s “Hit A Moonshot” video, directed by My Good Eye: Music Visuals, HERE.
Overall, “Hit A Moonshot” captures the essence of Armored Saint’s current musical identity, combining nostalgic influences with fresh energy, and promising an engaging experience for fans of classic heavy metal.
Watch the band’s previously released video for “Close To The Bone,” directed by My Good Eye: Music Visuals, HERE.
Emotion Factory Reset, Armored Saint’s ninth studio album since 1984’s March Of The Saint, is a resurrection of sorts, a tearing down and a rebuilding in eleven songs of diverse musicality and lyrical themes. The record finds the quintet challenging themselves. Songs like “Close To The Bone,” today’s single, “Hit A Moonshot,” and “Every Man-Any Man” have Armored 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.
“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.”
“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,” says 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.”
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 were 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 do in the past? What’s going on in the next lane?’ Once the ball starts rolling, I just sit back and let it happen.”
The collaborative nature of Emotion Factory Reset led to the album title, a phrase from guitarist Phil Sandoval. “To me, ‘Emotion Factory Reset’ means to reset yourself back to clarity. Take a pause and breathe before you respond or react. You can’t control outside events, but you can control your mind,” Sandoval says. “How you interpret things is what hurts you, not the event itself.”
His brother, drummer Gonzalo “Gonzo” Sandoval notes, “the world is going through a technological upswing/awakening. I look at our planet as the factory and in the most positive way we need to realign, reimagine, reset for our better selves.”
Together, these elements make Emotion Factory Reset a thoughtful, dynamic album that honors Armored Saint’s legacy while embracing growth and renewal.
The record will be released on CD digipack (w/ 20-page booklet) and digital formats as well as vinyl in the following color variants:
Amber Marble (US)
Orange and Red Marble (US)
Citron Smoke (US – Brutal Panda Exclusive)
180g Black (EU)
Beige Gray Marbled (EU)
Clear Black Gold Smoke (EU – Ltd. 500)
Metallic Gold Black Dust (EU – Ltd. 300)
Clear Gold Splatter (EU – Ltd. 200)
Additionally, a special European edition of the CD digipak includes the bonus track “One Chain (Don’t Make No Prison),” only available digitally until now!
A special European edition of the single gatefold LP comes w/ insert and DL card + 7” vinyl “One Chain (Don’t Make No Prison),” (only available digitally until now!) w/ an etching on the B-side, a poster, and slipmat.
Find all preorders at metalblade.com/armoredsaint.
ARMORED SAINT Live:
5/17/2026 San Luis Metal Fest – San Luis Potosí, MX
5/21/2026 Cafe Nord – Essen, DE * Free Listening Party *
5/22/2026 Rock Hard Festival – Gelsenkirchen, DE * Record Release Show *
6/06/2026 Milwaukee Metalfest @ The Rave/Eagles Club – Milwaukee, WI
7/30/2026 Pumpehuset – Copenhagen, DK w/ Metal Church
7/31/2026 Skogsrojet Festival – Rejmyre, SE
8/01/2026 Pustervik – Gothenburg, SE w/ Testament, Metal Church
8/02/2026 Mejeriet – Lund, SE * w/ Testament, Metal Church
8/05/2026 Brutal Assault – Jaroměř, CZ
8/07/2026 Alcatraz Festival – Dessel, BE
8/08/2026 Poppodium Boerderij – Zoetermeer, NL *ARMORED SAINT headlining show
8/09/2026 Keep It True Legions – Geiselwind, DE
8/11/2026 Progresja – Warsaw, PL w/ Savatage, Nevermore
8/12/2026 Collosseum – Kosice, SK w/ Vio-Lence
8/13/2026 Klub Studio – Krakow, PL w/ Testament, Metal Church
8/29/2026 Stonedead Festival – Newark, UK
ARMORED SAINT ONLINE:
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