Doom metal band formed in the 1980s. Among the bands "promoting" this style was the Los Angeles band Saint Vitus. The musicians made a significant contribution to its development and managed to win their audience, although they did not collect large stadiums, but performed at the beginning of their careers in clubs.
Creation of the group and the first steps of the group Saint Vitus
The musical group was founded in 1979. Its founders were Scott Ridgers (vocals), Dave Chandler (guitar), Armando Acosta (drums), Mark Adams (bass guitar). The ensemble began its work under the name Tyrant. Hardcore tendencies were heard in the first compositions.
The group influenced the creativity and further development of the group Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Alice Cooper. In 1980, Black Sabbath released the song St. Vitus Dance, which has become very popular. And the team decided to change the name of Tyrant to Saint Vitus. The name was associated with the saint of early Christianity - Vitus. He was executed in III Art. because he called to worship God. But the name is not connected with the saint. In fact, the musicians were Black Sabbath fans and their style was very similar.
At that time, the guys had not yet managed to gain popularity. Their style has not yet been perceived by the public. At the peak of their popularity were bands playing fast and aggressive hard rock. It turned out to declare itself in a few years. The notorious Black Flag team contributed to the group's ascent to the stage. The musicians also advised to sign an agreement with the recording studio SST Records.
During that period, they recorded 4 LPs and 2 EPs. The band recorded two albums, Saint Vitus and Hallow's Victim. And already in early 1986, Ridgers left her. Instead, Scott Weinrich (Wino) was invited to the team. The reason for the departure of the vocalist was disappointment. Concerts attended by a small number of people. Some performances could be attended by no more than 50 people, and the press rarely mentioned the existence of the team.
A new round of creativity with a new vocalist
Weinrich stayed with the team from 1986 to 1991. During this time, in this composition, the Saint Vitus group managed to record three studio albums: Born Too Late, Live, Mournful Cries. As part of the group, he revealed his talent as a songwriter.
The team in 1989 broke the contract with the recording studio SST Records and signed a new contract with the label Hellhound Records. After that, three more albums were released. The success and album The Obsessed prompted Weinrich to re-establish his former band and he left Saint Vitus.
The new vocalist is Christian Linderson of Count Raven. He did not stay with the group for long - only for one concert tour in the USA and European countries. And in 1993, Scott Ridgers returned to the team. In 1995, the album COD was released, for the recording of which the group gathered in its original line-up. And after the tour in 1996, the team broke up.
What happened after the breakup of Saint Vitus?
After the musical group suspended its activities, each of the former members began their own journey. Chandler created his group Debris Inc. It included former guitarist Trouble. Together they recorded the album Rise About Records (2005).
Ridgers and Adams left the stage, and Acosta joined the Dirty Red team. Weinrich also created his own team. With a new group, he went on tour in the US and Europe, but in 2000 the team broke up. Despite the fact that each participant went his own way, their paths did not part.
One more chance
In 2003, the band got back together and played a gig at the Double Door Club. The musicians finally reunited in 2008. But during this time, a tragic event also occurred. Without waiting for the end of the European tour, in 2009 Acosta left the stage due to health problems. In 2010, he died at the age of 58.
Instead, Henry Velasquez from the Bloody Sun group was invited to the group. In the same year, Chandler announced that he was planning to record a new album. The next year the new album was supposed to be released, but the guys failed to meet the deadlines. And in 2011, the band went on The Metalliance Tour with Helmet and Crowbar. And work on the album was again postponed.
The group Saint Vitus during the tour presented a new composition Blessed Night. In November 2011, the band signed an agreement with the Season of Mist label. Then there were rumors that the long-awaited new album Lillie: F-65 (released April 27, 2012) would soon be released. Back in 2010, the recording studio SST Records re-released vinyl discs with the band's albums, except for the first one, which was released in CD format.
Currently,
In 2015, Saint Vitus performed with concerts in Texas and Austin. And later the musicians went on a European tour. Their first vocalist, Scott Ridgers, took part in the concert tour. In 2016, another album, Live, Vol. 2.
Since its inception, the group has not changed its style. The guys continue to work in the direction in which they started at the beginning of their musical career. Until now, the team is considered one of the slowest, but the musicians play the music that they like.
