Songs of Armor and Devotion

Songs of Armor and Devotion is the ninth studio album from the American punk band Strung Out. It was released on August 9, 2019 through Fat Wreck Chords on CD and LP. Songs of Armor and Devotion is the only album to feature drummer RJ Shankle, prior to his departure in July 2022. It was generally received well by critics. Shortly after, two collaboration beers was released with Lucky Luke Brewing Company (Palmdale, CA) in conjunction with the album release. One named “Armor” an IPA and “Devotion” a citrus wheat beer.

Songs of Armor and Devotion
Studio album by Strung Out
Released	August 9, 2019 (2019-08-09)
Studio	Maple Sound Studio
Genre	Punk metal[1][2] melodic hardcore[1][3] hardcore punk[3][2] skate punk[3]
Length	43:55
Label	Fat Wreck Chords
Producer	Cameron Webb
Strung Out chronology
Transmission.Alpha.Delta (2015) Songs of Armor and Devotion (2019) Dead Rebellion (2024)

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic[1]
Hysteria Magazine[2]
Punknews.org[3]

Background

Fat Wreck Chords announced the album on June 4, 2019, after frontman Jason Cruz already revealed the name of the new album, Songs of Armor and Devotion, on May 15 on Episode 15 of the Dying Scene Podcast.^[4] A song on the new album, "Daggers", was released the same day.^[5] A US tour with The Casualties in the fall of 2019 was announced on June 11.^[6]

A new song called "Under the Western Sky" was released with an accompanying music video on July 10.^[7] The entire album was made available for streaming on August 7, two days before the official release.^[8]

Track listing

1. "Rebels and Saints" - 3:54
2. "Daggers" - 4:06
3. "Ulysses" - 4:12
4. "Under the Western Sky" - 3:51
5. "Monuments" - 2:45
6. "White Girls" - 2:42
7. "Demons" - 3:38
8. "Hammer Down" - 3:07
9. "Disappearing City" - 2:49
10. "Politics of Sleep" - 3:10
11. "Diamonds and Gold" - 3:11
12. "Strange Notes" - 2:45
13. "Bloody Knuckles" - 3:45

Performers

• Chris Aiken - bass
• RJ Shankle - drums
• Jake Kiley - guitar
• Rob Ramos - guitar, vocals
• Jason Cruz - vocals

Charts

Chart (2019)	Peak position
US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard)[9]	3
US Independent Albums (Billboard)[10]	10
US Top Album Sales (Billboard)[11]	58
US Vinyl Albums (Billboard)[12]	17

References

1. Yeung, Neil Z. "Review: Songs of Armor and Devotion". AllMusic. Retrieved 28 August 2019.
2. Evans, Mikaelie (August 15, 2019). "Strung Out: Songs Of Armor And Devotion". Hysteria Magazine. Retrieved August 28, 2019.
3. "Strung Out: Songs of Armor and Devotion (2019)". Punknews.org. August 9, 2019. Retrieved August 28, 2019.
4. "Dying Scene Radio, Episode 15 - Band Spotlight: Strung Out". dsradio.libsyn.com. Retrieved August 28, 2019.
5. Sacher, Andrew (June 4, 2019). "Strung Out share "Daggers" off new album 'Songs of Armor and Devotion'". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved August 28, 2019.
6. "Stung Out Announce SONGS OF ARMOR AND DEVOTION Fall North American Tour". BroadwayWorld. June 11, 2019. Retrieved August 28, 2019.
7. "California Rock Band Strung Out Release David Lynch-Inspired Video For New Single". BroadwayWorld. July 10, 2019. Retrieved August 28, 2019.
8. Macomber, Shawn (August 7, 2019). "Full Album Stream: Strung Out — "Songs of Armor and Devotion"". Decibel. Retrieved August 28, 2019.
9. "Strung Out Chart History (Heatseekers Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved August 28, 2019.
10. "Strung Out Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved August 28, 2019.
11. "Strung Out Chart History (Top Album Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved August 28, 2019.
12. "Strung Out Chart History (Vinyl Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved August 28, 2019.