Saint Vitus

Saint Vitus

Saint Vitus is a doom metal group from Los Angeles, United States. Formed in 1979 and active from 1980 to the present, it is among the earliest bands associated with doom metal, alongside Pentagram, Witchfinder General, Trouble and Pagan Altar. The group has also been influential on sludge and stoner rock.

History and line-up

The original line-up consists of Dave Chandler on guitar, Mark Adams on bass, Armando Acosta on drums and Scott Reagers on vocals. The band records its first two albums with Reagers before Scott “Wino” Weinrich replaces him in 1986. The Chandler, Adams, Acosta and Weinrich line-up becomes the longest-running version of the band.

Saint Vitus breaks up in 1996, briefly reforms in 2003, and reunites again in 2008 with the classic line-up of Weinrich, Chandler, Adams and Acosta. Acosta leaves in 2009 because of worsening health and Henry Vasquez replaces him. By 2016, Weinrich and Adams have also left and are replaced by Reagers and Patrick Bruders, leaving Chandler as the only constant member and bringing together two members of the original line-up.

Recordings and legacy

The band releases nine studio albums. Its third album, Born Too Late (1986), is generally regarded as its strongest release. Although Saint Vitus never achieves a major popular breakthrough, it remains a key influence on the development of doom metal, sludge and stoner rock.