Fan Mail 2

Many years ago in my youth, I was a big Judas Priest fan and christian rock was just a couple of lame Stryper ballads on MTV.  As a friend turned me onto the Lord some years later I hoped there was some good christian metal I could listen to.  Not just good music, but also great lyrics to strengthen me in my journey.  My first christian CD was Petra - On Fire.  Wow, it still is one of my favorites.  I then saw a website that had a double disc compilation of this band called Saint.  I'm sure you get a lot of comparisons to Rob Halford, but all I can say is his CD's are gathering dust and I have several Saint CD's sitting in my car.  I missed you guys the first time, but I am so glad you're back.  I loved your earlier stuff and your new stuff is even better, just awesome.  Keep pumping those albums out.  Is a new one coming soon?  and now a couple of things, is there a DVD in the works? perhaps of some concert footage?  I don't know if you'd ever be able to make it Detroit, but a DVD would be the next best thing.  Also, it's too bad it didn't work out with John Mahan.  I was looking forward to it.  Awesome guitarist.  I even had a great band name for you guys, "Hammer of God".  Perhaps it will work another time, God willing.  I'm praying for you and the guys.  I hope you've been blessed as much as you've blessed us.  You've helped more people than you will know.  Keep up the good work, well done.  God bless, Eric    eric, thank you.   yes we are working on the next project and we'll go full swing this summer in final process.  contact rich lynch for saint products.  thank you for your great letter.  it was so nice i sent a copy to my webmaster.  we delete email addresses.  if this is ok to post this letter please let me know.  the links below go directly to my websites,  no pop up ads.  god bless you.. ...josh,,,hjk   Hi Josh, this is Eric.  You can use the letter.  Thanks for replying to me.  It meant a lot to me.  Best wishes, Eric

Josh, Thanks so much for your immediate involvement.  It wasn't expected but is appreciated.  I am a long time fan of Saint... (first started listening in Jr. High back in the mid-eighties) and really am looking forward to hearing your new/newer music.  Sorry for hitting the panic button about your website.  I just became concerned when the Paypal ID number wasn't recognized by your sales associate.  I feel that everyone involved has done a great job in communicating with me and responding to my email much more promptly than I would have guessed.  I just want to make sure it is clear that my emails (including this one) were not complaints, merely a notification of the non-arrival of my order and then, a little bit later, some concern over the Paypal number not being recognized.  I remain a happy and satisfied customer and a big fan of your music.  I find the lyrics of many Saint songs to be convicting, challenging, and inspiring... of particular note being the album Too Late For Living which I have been listening to lately.  Also I enjoy how the music style of Saint varied somewhat on those three albums in the eighties (including your vocal style).  I would say all three styles are worth revisting on newer albums and (noting that I haven't heard your newer CDs) would also love to hear new variations you might come up with.  Thanks again for your prompt involvement.  I plan on emailing Jeff and thanking him as well for the same thing.  And thanks for rocking for the Lord. Mark  ---- hi mark,  i am a "buck stops here" kind of guy. customer satisfaction is #1 priority.  thank you for letting us know your concerns and appreciation.  I sent a copy of your letter to be posted in our mr saint fan site. please send your maialing address so that I can send you a free copy of the way beyond the basement tapes, (it's on the house.)  josh

Hi Josh! Wow, THANK you! Just listening to "7th trumpet", which really blows me away. How Priest'ish this sounds - and your voice is truely amazing!! Can't wait to hear this in the album context!!  By the way: I wrote a review to the "Josh Kramer"-Live-Disc: http://www.sacredmetal.de/index.php?page=reviews/pusmetal/joshsaint2006 and "Reapin The Flesh" is fantastic, too! Pounding drums, forward-guitars and your shrieking vocals. When the rest of the record is as good as this it will be a highlight of the year!!  Another thing:  You offer a Saint-collection of the first records - can I get it through you directly? Via paypal maybe?  Talk to you soon, Michael

(Josh:) so did the discs arrive? Hi Josh, Yes, they did arrive. Thank you very much. Thanks as well for autographing the live disc. Already have written the review for the Live 05 CD. Have not heard the MP3 disc yet. Need to take that one to work and listen to it. I recently got hold of your Live in Germany live disc as well. Have only heard it once. Sounds musically very good. Thought it odd that there were gaps in between the songs, but I am not sure if that wasn't my car CD player acting up. Need to check it on my home stereo. Really looking forward to getting your new studio Cd. Will be purchasing 2 copies from your site ASAP.  Can you also sell wholesale for resale? Ultimatum have a distribution list on-line and we would love to sell copies of your new CD. Let me know. - Scott german live......nope, there are gaps....bless jurgans heart for trying.  he probably forgot to select no pause between trax....oops....hjk

Hey Josh,
I'm really digging "The Mark". I think it's your heaviest yet. "The 7th Trumpet" blew me away. Reminds me a bit of "Painkiller"-era Priest. Sweet!!!! Very heavy songs with a nice mixture of fast and mid-paced parts.  So when is Ultimatum and Saint gonna do a show together? - Scott ---- rich is the guy to talk to about tour schedules.  saint would be happy to sell whole sale to your distro.  rich is the man to discuss this as well.  you guys sound great.  I like your album too.  keep on.....god bless...josh...hjk

Hello Mr. Kramer, I am a HUGE Saint fan. Pre-ordered "The Mark" and cannot wait for it to come in the mail. I have been a fan since "Time's End" Unfortunately, I lost my "Pure Metal" cassette years ago.. On the good side, I now ave "The Collection" on CD so now I can hear those great songs any time I want.  Quick question for you... You mentioned a "Tennessee Drawl".. So is that
>your home state? I had no idea. Just wondering what part of TN.  My wife and I are from Knoxville but now live in Panama City, Florida. We go back to the mountains of East TN when we have the time.  Anyway, wanted to say HI and can't wait for The Mark!  Take care & God Bless, Mike ---- Rich is going to begin a new series of remastered and better sounding re-issues of the old albums.  Write to him for details.   http://www.saintsite.com.   In an answer to fans questions about the Tennessee accent, I picked up the slight drawl while living there for almost 10 years in Nashville. It's more of an influence than a drawl.  Scott Wenzel and I bumped into each other while painting a house. He's almost as good of a painter as me.  I love the summers there except for the tornados which I've seen. Terrifying! Winters there suck! Ice storms, 30 degrees and snowing one day and 70 the next.  Weird. But there is a magic about the place that makes great music....josh

hi jeff. check out  http://www.saint777.net  then go to "about saint" page. there you'll hear a sample of the new album. please let me know what you think. thank you for writing that very uplifting note! god bless....josh

Whats up dude!    So how's everything going bro.  I still can't tell you how excited I am about the new album.  I just know its gonna rock!  Metal is awsome.  Especially when It has a Godly message.  I gotta ask ya man, how in the world do you hit those notes!!  I mean, I can remember hearing the Too Late for Living album for the first time and just thinking "How does he do that?!"  And then I listened to Full Armor and you still got it bo.!  I don't know how you do it man but it rocks!  There's nothing like a good ol' 80's scream!  I'm still blown away by your beautiful guitar playing at the beginning of Full Armor,  and then the way the crunch just kicks in!  I'm tellin ya man, if you guys come down here I am gonna be first in line!  I'll have to let you know your in my area that way you can put me on the backstage pass list.  I really do hope I get to meet you man.  Well bro. I gotta get going.  Take it easy. God bless:-)  See ya! Your friend and brother in Christ, and of coarse biggest fan, -Larry

Josh, I just pre-ordered the new CD I hope I don't have to wait too long to hear it.   I never got the chance to see Saint live back "in the day" hope I get the chance soon.   When I was a in middle school, I had a Time's End shirt I wore to school a lot.  One day, A classmate asked if Saint was a metal band I said yes they are.  He said he wanted to hear some of your music so I gave him an extra copy of Time's End I had.  When I asked him what he thought about the album he said, " They're a cool band ."  He also said he noticed "something different" about the lyrics he couldn't quite figure out yet.  I told him to keep listening and ask me any questions he might have.  I don't know for sure, but I hope a difference was made in his life because I  Introduced him to Saint.  Sorry for being so long winded.  Take care Bro. Tim

Josh...  I just searched through the CMR a bit, and found three Saint threads on the first page.  One was started by me called "Speaking of Saint...", one is about the 2005 Live album, and one is called "Warmachine and Saint..." and is a thread of questions about the new Saint release.  I'll see if there are some others that I can find.  Take heart, my friend, as there are a lot of us that are fans out here!  Remember, you guys had 3 albums in the Top 100 Christian Albums of All Time Poll last year (a poll that is being updated this year, by the way...) and In The Battle was voted the number 3 metal release of 2004...including secular releases!  You finished third behind Megadeth and Iced Earth, and AHEAD of names like Exodus, Death Angel, WASP, Scorpions, TNT, Dio, and Mortification!  I, and many others, love what you are doing and continue to support you.  In fact, as soon as I get a copy of Live 2005 to review, I plan to make it the CMR's Featured Album on www.christianmetalrealm.com.  Can't wait to hear new stuff and all the live stuff!  God bless! Arttie

 hail,mr.josh!i'm george,33 years old, from cyprus.i'm huge saint fan and i'm glad that you're still alive!"in battle" was the best comeback i listen to from many years! i have ordered from your site the live and the mark cds and paid through paypal. following the instructions of your site i was told that you should comeback for the additional shipping fee. till now i didn't receive any email and i'm very curious. i can't wait to hear your new cds and i'm hoping that you'll get soon into me and inform me about the additional fees and send me the cds!i can't wait to hear them!  please have in mind that i could ordered them through other mailorders, but i prefered you, in order to support directly the band i love!thanx! you rule!  best wishes - george  ----  my webmaster might be out of the mark. and the germany disc for a few weeks.  they sold out quick and he is re ordering.  you can get the mark through the  http://www.saintsite.com and the germany disc is on it's way from germany.  it may be a month because customs hangs things up for a while.  i knew i should have bought 200 of them.  dummy me.  thanks bro for your letter.  blessingz.....josh

Josh, Thanks so much for your immediate involvement.  It wasn't expected but is appreciated.  I am a long time fan of Saint... (first started listening in Jr. High back in the mid-eighties) and really am looking forward to hearing your new/newer music.  Sorry for hitting the panic button about your website.  I just became concerned when the Paypal ID number wasn't recognized by your sales associate.  I feel that everyone involved has done a great job in communicating with me and responding to my email much more promptly than I would have guessed.  I just want to make sure it is clear that my emails (including this one) were not complaints, merely a notification of the non-arrival of my order and then, a little bit later, some concern over the Paypal number not being recognized.  I remain a happy and satisfied customer and a big fan of your music.  I find the lyrics of many Saint songs to be convicting, challenging, and inspiring... of particular note being the album Too Late For Living which I have been listening to lately.  Also I enjoy how the music style of Saint varied somewhat on those three albums in the eighties (including your vocal style).  I would say all three styles are worth revisting on newer albums and (noting that I haven't heard your newer CDs) would also love to hear new variations you might come up with.  Thanks again for your prompt involvement.  I plan on emailing Jeff and thanking him as well for the same thing. And thanks for rocking for the Lord. - Mark

Hi Josh, I received the Live in Germany CD this morning, Outstanding!! You definitely had a great band performing with you. I received The Mark last week and haven't stop listening to it. Gog & Magog I love. The 7th Trumpet I'm addicted to. My daughters enjoy He Reigns and that is something rare, enjoying SAINT songs. My older one love the lyrics.The music is way too heavy for her. She's into Jump 5, Rebecca St. James, that type of music style. I put up an Off Topic Post on the Stryper Forum regarding The Mark with a Saintsite link. I hope Mr. Lynch has a good response. Have you ever heard of a guitar master called Frank Marino and his band Mahogany Rush? He has been around from the late 60's. I asked Pastor Brad if he has ever heard about him & he has not. From Alex Lifeson/RUSH to Pink Floyd's David Gilmour he has been called the master of all guitarists.He has sold millions of records worldwide The British refer to him as the recreation of Jimi Hendrix. He is from my beautiful city of Montreal,Canada. He is also Italian-Canadian like myself.....not that you care, but I had to put that in. He is a Canadian Icon. Well, TO GOD BE THE GLORY HE HAS FOUND JESUS. This is taken from the liner notes from his CD Eye Of The Storm in where he confesses his Christianity. If you don't know him I hope you will give him a listen. I'm sure Dee Harrington, John Mahan or Jerry Johson have heard of him. Sorry I have taken up your time.Thank-You for the gifts that you sent me along with the CD. - GOD BLESS, Joe   frank marino is amazing.  i had a theorybook of his. thank you for your mail....thank you for putting the good word out there.   i sent a copy of your letter to the mr saint fan site.  thanx again...josh

josh, i was wondering if the Beyond the Basement Tapes disc plays on a regular cd player? thanks, terry

terry,  the Beyond the Basement Tapes are made as data files in folders.  they play but sometimes the trax start late or end abruptly.   they are in file folders and work best in your computer. you can make your own audio discs if you have a cd burning program in your pc.  that's what i do.  very good that you asked.   josh

Just a quick note to say that your music has impacted my life, and I'm tremendously glad to hear that your back. I'm sorry to hear that you'd taken quite a rough road to recovery, but rejoice to hear of your restoration to His fellowship. Might this occasion call for a revised rendition of "Back In Black" but rather with the lyrics "I'm Back On Track"? Or perhaps you could find the original singer of X-Sinner to join you for a parody of "For Those About To Rock," changed to the chorus of,"For Those Upon The Rock, We Salute You!" (Not to say that you need that singer's assistance; you totally rock! It's just that he has the Brian Johnson sound). In any case, Josh, I appreciate you, bro. I'll be picking up a copy of the latest release and the newly recorded "Warriors" CD soon. Lord Be With You, Scott Just a quick note to say that your music has impacted my life, and I'm tremendously glad to hear that your back. I'm sorry to hear that you'd taken quite a rough road to recovery, but rejoice to hear of your restoration to His fellowship. Might this occasion call for a revised rendition of "Back In Black" but rather with the lyrics "I'm Back On Track"? Or perhaps you could find the original singer of X-Sinner to join you for a parody of "For Those About To Rock," changed to the chorus of,"For Those Upon The Rock, We Salute You!" (Not to say that you need that singer's assistance; you totally rock! It's just that he has the Brian Johnson sound). In any case, Josh, I appreciate you, bro. I'll be picking up a copy of the latest release and the newly recorded "Warriors" CD soon. Lord Be With You, Scott

 Hi Josh, I don't know if you remember me or not, but my name is Jeff and I used to write to you under the name MetalJax777. of course i remember you!   I don't have that address anymore, but use this one now. I just ordered the 20th anniversary edition of Warriors of the Son. I can't wait to get it. I am so excited to see you keep on making music.  I love the one new (old) song, Killers, Destroyers!! It sounds like classic Saint.  thank you.  Killers, Destroyers seems to be the going favorite.  for me,  it is a toss up between warriors,  k and d, abyss, and the reaper on this album.  plan 2 is a lot more fun to listen to also.  I have heard that you are working on a new Studio album, a follow up to In The Battle (one of the best metal discs released in the last 10 years, in my opinion).  you're very kind to say so!  Is there any truth to that?  yes!  If so, when are you going to have clips up on your website?  i'll surely let you be one of the first to know.  Do you know if you are going to be putting out T-shirts or posters? by all means!  My wall could definately use a Saint poster or two and you can't ever have too many metal t-shirts.  How is the Nick project going? I have the first part that you released on CD a while ago. I think I read that it is on hold for now, but I can't wait to hear the whole thing on audio disc. Congrats on getting it published as a book. That's very cool.  dude, this is tripping me out because last night while i was burning a stack of home baked cdr's of part 2,  i was flooded with the thought of the great timing of  sending out part 2 to everyone that has part one for christmas this year.   you do remember that you get part 2 free just because you have part 1, right?    please write and confirm your present address and it's on it's way  I can't wait to get the Warriors disc and look forward to more things from one of my favorite metal bands of all time. Rock On, Jeff

 Josh (howard) Hi!, Hope things are going well, I heard you went out to Ill. hope that all went well. I spoke to Rich last sunday. seems that things are really moving along! You know, I heard that "Warriors 04" was Good but Man! That disc smokes!, And you can still scream!, wow! I was reading somewhere, that you would like to do a solo CD?, That would be cool!, you need to get your "musical" rocks off. (so to speak). Im sure Rich would be happy to help. he seems like a nice guy., Rich and I were talking about "Times end" being re-issued (the right way), he hates that live bootleg stuff!, I told him you guys should re-record 2-3 songs off "times end", or 1 new really "over the top" tune, to use as bonus tracks. That was just my idea, but Im not sure, "Times end" was/is a pretty smokin Cd on its own. but this current line up seems very, very capable!. Well, I wanted to say thanks to! for being a blessing. I make it a Habit to pray for you guys, and Saint as a band also. Im glad you guys are together again! I believe a miracle happened!, for all you guys! well, Im gonna go now.  God Bless You! And All that You Do! Marc  (Josh's reply) mark!  dude!  great of you to drop in.    your letter was a much needed jolt of humor.  call me howie or josh.   or howiejosh.   rich is going to assist me doing a solo project as is mike layne of 3 chord records.  mike is an amazing producer / engineer. i was so inspired by justin murr's project featuring a small community of players from the 80 bands, that now i want to do something similar. i'll preproduce a buncha stuff here with rich, then take the bun files to mike and do the final tweeking.   i'll incorporate a potporri (did i spell that right?) of players on the project from various bands.   i want to feature scott sifton, dee harrington, jerry johnson,  i'll even hunt down john mahan if i have to show up on hs door step myself with a cd burner,  a mic in my back pack nail his door shut, take the phone off the hook and record him in his living room..  i want to feature john perrine on drums,  possibly dean castranova on drums also...(i'm dreaming here now dude.  endulge me!) ....uh, oh yeah and my new friends  in germany who are in a new up comming gospel extreem thrash band called, "adorned graves"   these guys are really great players just starting out with rock solid testimonies for christ.   i love their garage recorded home made hand written demo.  even with all the mistakes and raw garage tones it really kicks out the jams.  almost reminicent of vengence rising before the falling out.  these guys are going to make it!  they have my endorsement and blessing!  i'll have rich and me on bass.  i'll mabey see if i can get jim laverde on bass too.  the bro's and my dear friends from neon cross,  . mabey see if my brother's and friend's  les carlson   and david safiro to do some guitar and vocal work  on  a track or 2. the bro's from messiah prophet, die happy,  i'll try to get as many of my brothers from current and bands past to be on this.  this will be a fun project how ever and who ever i get to perform on it.     josh

Hey bro. How's things going. I just listened to a clip of killers and destroyers off of the new Warriors of the Son. It sounds AWSOME!! You guys never cease to amaze me. You just keep crankin' out the good tunes:-). I really hope yall haven't already come to south carolina. I know I was out of touch with you for a while so if you did I missed you guys. It's cool if you have, I just hope you haven't. Have yall been anywhere close? Oh, I meant to tell ya dude, last month was my birthday. Oct. 23. I'm now 20! Me getting older, now thats a scary thought, lol.:-) Well bro. I guess I'll talk to ya later. You take it easy. Keep on rockin! See ya. Your freind and brother in Christ -Larry

Josh, I see how to order the new CD on the site, however.....any way to score one autographed by the band or at least more importantly by you ?? Thanks. ROKKEN RANDY Still Can't Stop The Rock In 2004 !

Dear Josh, I am very excited that Saint has a new CD coming out.  I listened to the MP3's of the new songs and, You still have it dude songs sound great.  I just ordered the Saint collection from Rich because, my cassette tapes died long ago. :)   I hope things work out for a Saint tour once the album is released .  Whatever God has in store for Saint, You're in my prayers. Tim

Josh, I remember 1985 at the Temple Theater in Tacoma, me and my 4 buddies came to see Rez we loved the concert but on the way home we left with vinyl and tapes of Saint. I still have them the Vinyl is in excellent shape as I played it once (to record it on cassette) that cassette melted in the sun on the front seat of a car I haven’t owned in years. All we talked about on the way back to Seattle was “that band Saint rocked!!!.” I still remember the opening riff of the opening song you guys played that night and that chill I got down my back from listening to Christian brothers that just shredded. Anyway all this talk of glory days just makes us both feel old so I’ll stop. One thing I read on your site that I love so much is integrity. Your site reeks of integrity all over and your desire to make everyone completely satisfied. You’re also open to suggestions, criticisms and praise. I admire you more than ever. I’m working on the finishing parts of a book that should be out in 2004. I’ll send you a copy when it’s out and I hope it’ll just be a partial payback for all the joy Saint has given me over the years.  God Bless You, Tracy

Sign me up for the preorder of the "In the Battle" package! I've been a fan of Saint since I first bought Warriors of the Son back in '85, so I would be getting this no matter what, but the way my bud David (King of Metal) has been raving about the song you sneaked him, I'm positively salivating to get my hands on it! You guys are gonna be causing a buzz when this  disc hits the streets! I'll place my order tomorrow I hope, and if anything comes with a signature on it, I would not complain. ;)  Nick

Josh Dude, I just listened to the samples at saintsite.com... WOW! Dude, this album is going to show the world why Saint is the greatest metal band ever! Your voice is SO POWERFUL! Rock on, man! Also, I'm glad to see the return of the spikes and leather! Ian