Saint Vitus - V (1990)

Saint Vitus is by most peoples accounts one of the first bands to pick up the torch of heavy doomy metal that Black Sabbath was famously known for in the first half of the 70's. Beginning life as early as 1978 under the Tyrant monicker, they became Saint Vitus two years later and by 1984 they were releasing their self-titled debut. However by 1986 when they were releasing their third album, 'Born Too Late,' a guy by the name of Scott "Wino" Weinrich (whose band The Obsessed were on hiatus) had stepped in to replace vocalist Scott Reagers, and although I can't say for sure I think these three albums are generally considered Saint Vitus' finest moments. 'V' was released in 1990; a point in time when thrash metal was dying, death metal was thriving, black metal didn't exist yet and more than likely a time when no one gave a fuck about a Sabbath influenced band.

'V' was the fifth Saint Vitus album as well as the last to feature Wino at the vocal helm and the results are quite good. Dave Chandler's hazily fuzzy toned heavy riffs, booming solos and bleak lyrics characterize the album while Wino howls out Chandler's words on anger, self-loathing, alcohol, society, drug abuse (etc.) in a mostly depressing manner, which works perfectly with the given music. Although some songs move at speedier bluesy rock n' roll pace and are over in three minutes or less a good portion of the album revolves around ultra slow plodding guitars, drums and bass and are between five to seven minutes each, yet the whole eight song album is said and done in thirty six minutes.

While I do like the speedier numbers like, 'Angry Man' or 'Mind-Food' quite a bit I do have a bit more love for the ultra heavy and slow ones, such as, 'Patra (Petra)' & 'I Bleed Black.' Just as many doom/death bands would do a few years down the road, these slower jams show a great deal of emotion both through Dave's riff work and Wino's dismal vocal delivery. To me that's what doom is all about.

Although I've known about Saint Vitus for years I've only previously also heard the bands final effort from 1995, 'Die Healing,' which I remember selling a few years back, yet coming across this one in a used bin a few months ago has renewed my interest in the band.

Saint Vitus hasn't released any new studio album since '95, but this classic line-up got back together in 2008 and although the bands one and only drummer, Armando Acosta pasted away last year they've already found a replacement in Henry Vasquez. So, it should be interesting to see if these aging doomsters come up with something new soon or they'll just be sticking to their classics.