Armoured Knight

Armoured Knight is a Chilean heavy/speed metal band formed in 2009 by guitarist and engineer Cristian León, known for his work with the band Ripper. The group also initially featured co-guitarist Francisco Sanhueza, who later formed Hellish. Originally fronted by a female vocalist, Armoured Knight's sound is deeply inspired by mid-1980s power and speed metal bands like Helloween, Savage Grace, and Pokolgép, blending classic thrash aggression with melodic, anthemic songwriting. After several lineup changes and two EPs—*Prophecy of Tomorrow* (2014) and *The Sacred Flame* (2020)—the band's current lineup with vocalist José Tapia, guitarist Cristian León, bassist Cristhoper Falk, and drummer Mario Vera released their long-awaited full-length debut album *The Quest for the Sacred Melody* in 2025. This album showcases them as one of the freshest classic metal acts today, delivering a 35-minute journey of fast-paced melodies, dynamic leads, and nostalgic yet energetic speed metal rooted in the golden age of the genre.

Their music balances raw speed and polished musicianship, offering a cohesive sound that ranges from heroic to melancholic moods, all while maintaining the spirit of 1980s NWOBHM and power metal traditions. The production on *The Quest for the Sacred Melody* retains a vintage edge, with moments of intense shredding and mid-tempo atmospheric pieces like "Endless Light." Armoured Knight has steadily built a dedicated fan base thanks to their commitment to authentic, classic heavy metal sounds with a modern twist, representing Chile’s thriving underground metal scene on the global stage.