While other 80s doom giants like Trouble and Candlemass performed metal of mythic, epic proportions, Saint Vitus kept it to the streets. Their brand of doom metal was as scuzzy as it was totally unique. Their punkier take on the genre found more of a home in the hardcore scene: touring with Black Flag and signing to their label SST, who released their debut album Saint Vitus in 1984. A big factor in their sound is the unmistakable bass-heavy guitar tone of Dave Chandler. It washes over the whole album like a drug haze and his loose solos and heavy wah use adds a Hawkwind-style spaciness. Vocalist Scott Reagers’ also excels with his emotive, bombed-out croon. And there’s plenty of punk ‘tude in the writing too: simple song structures, caveman riffs and evil trills. No Sabbath-style rifforamas here; the longer songs are simply longer because they’re slower. But for all the simplicity, Saint Vitus is full of character, atmospheric and addictive. Burial At Sea is a shade over-stretched but the upbeat title-track, the stomping White Magic/Black Magic and the hypnotic Psychopath are all absolute classics. And best of all is Zombie Hunger with its fantastic, distraught vocals from Reagers. “I’m a zombie – my insides have died”. There’s still nothing quite like Saint Vitus. Spaced-out, burnt-out, deadbeat doom. It’s music for losers, but if you have this album in your collection, you’re winning at life.
HEAVY METAL OVERLOAD 
When I think of ‘crooning’ at this time of year, Bing Crosby comes to mind – though I have a tough time picturing Mr. Reagers performing White Christmas, his style works well here!
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If it’s good enough for Bowie…
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Oh wait… it wasn’t White Christmas he did was it? But still…
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Still works for me!
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That is some good stoner metal.
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Love the sludgy vibe of the song
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I have an old SST CD of Heavier Than Thou here, and I LOVE IT! I’m not winning at life, though, as I don’t have this one. Yet.
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I think you’ll know a few of these tracks at least. And you’re winning more than most people if you’ve heard any of this stuff
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Go me! haha I love their sound, don’t know why I never sought this one out. Adding to the list!
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Nice one Scott. I really want an original copy of the first LP – just in case you find one in a charity shop in Fife!
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I’m always seeing this one in charity shops. This and The Power Station album. The reissues are really good though.
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All I ever get here are signed death and black metal LPs – terrible I can never find a single James Last album.
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đź‘Źđź‘Ź
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