Search - Saint Vitus :: Saint Vitus

Cult

01/09/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album came as a revelation to me in high school, absorbed as I was in sorting through the metal bins at record shops in the early 80's, searching for the latest Venom, Maiden, or Frost release. From the gothic script of the logo on the black front cover to the black and white band photo on the back, this release portrays a decidedly retro look. I had friends who were into punk, so I felt adventurous picking up something from SST. Upon playing the album, I laughed aloud at the irony of accidentally buying the one true heavy metal release from the label! This is a garage version of 1970-72 Ozzy-era Black Sabbath with a voice that I can only compare to the singer in Sir Lord Baltimore. Blown tube-amps and, except for the title track, super echoey, tortured slow songs comprise the sound and direction of Saint Vitus's debut. I have heard the band's other releases, and they are all solid (with the possible exception of the 'Children of Doom' album), but the debut is their best because, to my ears, the vocals of their second vocalist Wino drift periously close to grunge, and Vitus's original singer Scott Reager never again sounded as mournful and eerie as he does here. One highlight of the album is the 'two glass bottles clinking together' sound on one track that reminds me of the Coney Island climax from the film 'The Warriors'. I have never seen this album lauded in the metal press; in fact, if Vitus is mentioned at all anymore, it is in connection with the career of Wino Weinrich, who doe not appear on this album. Saint Vitus's debut remains overlooked."