Saint Vitus (band)
Encyclopedia
Saint Vitus is an American
doom metal
band from Los Angeles
, formed in 1978. They consist of founding members Dave Chandler (guitarist) and Mark Adams (bass), alongside sporadic singer Scott Weinrich
and recently added drummer Henry Vasquez. The band has been regarded and credited as one of the first bands of the genre, starting out as early as the late 1970s, along with Pentagram
, Witchfinder General
, Trouble
and Candlemass
. As of 2011, they have released seven studio albums.
The original Saint Vitus line-up consisted of Chandler, Adams, drummer Armando Acosta and singer Scott Reagers. They recorded their first two albums before Scott Weinrich
replaced Reagers in 1986. The line-up of Chandler, Adams, Acosta and Weinrich was the longest-lasting, and recorded the band's next three albums albums, Born Too Late
(1986), Mournful Cries
(1988) and V
(1990). Although Saint Vitus enjoyed moderate success with those albums, the band never achieved a popular breakthrough. Weinrich left the band in 1991 to focus on the reunion of his previous band The Obsessed
, and was replaced by Chritus Linderson. Saint Vitus recorded the album C.O.D.
(1992) before Linderson was dismissed from the band. In 1994, Saint Vitus reunited with Reagers and recorded Die Healing
(1995), which would be their final album for 17 years.
After breaking up in 1996 and briefly reforming in 2003, Saint Vitus reunited again in 2008 with the band's "classic" line-up, featuring Weinrich, Chandler, Adams and Acosta, and embarked on a successful tour. After 31 years in the band, Acosta left Saint Vitus in 2009 and was replaced by Henry Vasquez. The new line-up recently completed a new album, titled Lilly F65
, which will be released in early 2012.
. Their main influences were Black Sabbath and Black Flag
, the latter of which Saint Vitus toured with during the 1980s. Greg Ginn of Black Flag would also sign Saint Vitus to his label, SST Records
, which eventually released 4 LPs and 2 EPs by the band.
Under this line-up, Saint Vitus recorded 2 albums (Saint Vitus
& Hallow's Victim
) and an EP (The Walking Dead
). Reagers left the band in early 1986, and was replaced by The Obsessed
frontman Scott "Wino" Weinrich
(at this time, The Obsessed
had only released one 7"). Reagers' final performances featured songs from the upcoming album Born Too Late
, such as 'The War Starter' and 'Hell Ain't A Game', as many of these were written whilst he was still in the band.
, Mournful Cries
& V
), a live album (Live
), and an EP (Thirsty and Miserable
, featuring the Black Flag
cover of the same name) with Vitus. By 1989, Saint Vitus had been dropped from SST and signed to Hellhound Records
, who released the band's next three albums. Weinrich left Saint Vitus in 1991 to reform The Obsessed
after Vitus's label, Hellhound Records
, released an album of older Obsessed recordings.
singer Chritus Linderson as a replacement after a short search. He would record only one album, C.O.D.
, and tour Europe and America with the band until 1993 before being replaced by original vocalist Scott Reagers for their final album Die Healing
, regarded by the band to be their finest work. Saint Vitus played dates in America and Europe following the album's release. After the completion of the tour, Saint Vitus decided to disband in 1996.
Chandler went on to form the punk/doom band Debris Inc.
, with Ron Holzner of Trouble
in the early 2000s. They released their self titled album via Rise Above Records
in 2005. Acosta stayed busy with a band called Dirty Red, Adams no longer played music, and Reagers also left the music scene. After The Obsessed broke up in the mid-90's, Wino moved back to Maryland and formed Shine/Spirit Caravan
and once again toured Europe and the US until the bands break up in the early 2000s. His next band, The Hidden Hand, followed a similar path before breaking up in the mid-2000s. Wino also briefly joined Place of Skulls, featuring former Pentagram
/Death Row guitarist Victor Griffin, for the album 'With Vision' released in 2003.
in Chicago
. The performance was recorded and released on a DVD that is distributed through Chandler's current band, Debris, Inc..
In 2008, it was announced that Saint Vitus were reuniting again for a tour in 2009. The band headlined Friday's April 24 date at the 2009 Roadburn Festival
. at the 013 venue in Tilburg, Netherlands and then went on to play three gigs in Germany. The lineup for this reunion was the same as the 2003 reunion.
Drummer Armando Acosta, who had been with the band since its inception over thirty years ago, left the band before the European tour of 2009 had been completed.
Dave Chandler has cited health concerns as the reason for Armando's replacement. He has since been replaced by Henry Vasquez of the band Blood Of The Sun. When asked about the possibility of Armando rejoining the band, Dave stated:
In February 2010, Chandler stated that there was talk of Saint Vitus recording new material, but there were no concrete plans at the time. However, according to frontman Scott "Wino" Weinrich
, "we're writing some stuff right now. Everybody's pretty busy. I know I've been busy. The Wino band is pretty much on hiatus right now. So it looks like we'll be doing some recording in the near future. The bottom line is we would like to do a new record. There's talk about it. We've already been floating around a couple ideas. So yeah, somewhere down the line there will be a new Vitus record in the cards." In March 2010, Wino revealed to the German edition of Metal Hammer magazine that Saint Vitus are without a record label, and have only written one new song so far, but that a full-length studio effort from the group would likely surface within the next 12 months, making a 2011 release date likely. However, plans eventually fell through, but had planned to regroup to make the album sometime in the summer of 2011, after the band finishes the 2011 Metalliance Tour with Helmet
and Crowbar. On the Metalliance Tour, Saint Vitus debuted a new song called "Blessed Night". On November 8, 2010, it was announced that they were signed to Season of Mist
and will release their new album, entitled Lilly F65
, in early 2012. Once released, it will be Saint Vitus' first studio album since 1995's Die Healing
, its first release with vocalist Wino Weinrich
since 1990's V
and first release without Armando Acosta on drums.
Late 2009 through 2010 also saw the majority of Saint Vitus' back catalog come back into print. SST Records reissued vinyl versions of all the group's records except for the first album, which was reissued on CD. The label also released "Hallow's Victim" and "The Walking Dead" on CD, having never previously been available in the format. Buried By Time and Dust Records also did a limited vinyl issue of "Die Healing" (the first time that album had been available on vinyl) with a CD reissue expected to follow.
Armando Acosta passed away November 25, 2010 at the age of 58.
On December 8, 2010, Armando Acosta was buried at Riverside National Cemetery in California. The band dedicated their December tour to his memory.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
doom metal
Doom metal
Doom metal is an extreme form of heavy metal music that typically uses slower tempos, low-tuned guitars and a much "thicker" or "heavier" sound than other metal genres...
band from Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
, formed in 1978. They consist of founding members Dave Chandler (guitarist) and Mark Adams (bass), alongside sporadic singer Scott Weinrich
Scott Weinrich
Robert Scott "Wino" Weinrich is a doom metal guitarist and vocalist. Active since 1976, when he started his first band War Horse, Weinrich is best known for being the frontman and guitarist of the doom metal bands The Obsessed and Saint Vitus...
and recently added drummer Henry Vasquez. The band has been regarded and credited as one of the first bands of the genre, starting out as early as the late 1970s, along with Pentagram
Pentagram (band)
Pentagram is a American heavy metal band from Virginia, most famous as one of the pioneers of doom metal. The band was prolific in the underground scene of the 1970s, producing many demos and rehearsal tapes, but did not release a full-length album until reforming in the early 1980s with an almost...
, Witchfinder General
Witchfinder General (band)
Witchfinder General is a doom metal band from Stourbridge, England. They were part of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal scene and have been cited as a major influence on the doom metal genre.-Biography:...
, Trouble
Trouble (band)
Trouble is an American doom metal band noted as one of the pioneers of their genre, alongside bands such as Candlemass and Saint Vitus. The band created a distinct style taking influences of the British heavy metal bands Black Sabbath and Judas Priest, and psychedelic rock of the 1970s...
and Candlemass
Candlemass
Candlemass are an influential Swedish doom metal band established in 1984 by Leif Edling , their leader and songwriter. The band is originally from Stockholm. After releasing five full-length albums and touring extensively throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, Candlemass disbanded in 1994, but...
. As of 2011, they have released seven studio albums.
The original Saint Vitus line-up consisted of Chandler, Adams, drummer Armando Acosta and singer Scott Reagers. They recorded their first two albums before Scott Weinrich
Scott Weinrich
Robert Scott "Wino" Weinrich is a doom metal guitarist and vocalist. Active since 1976, when he started his first band War Horse, Weinrich is best known for being the frontman and guitarist of the doom metal bands The Obsessed and Saint Vitus...
replaced Reagers in 1986. The line-up of Chandler, Adams, Acosta and Weinrich was the longest-lasting, and recorded the band's next three albums albums, Born Too Late
Born Too Late
Born Too Late is the third album by the American doom metal band Saint Vitus, which was released in 1986. This was the first Saint Vitus album featuring former Obsessed singer Scott "Wino" Weinrich...
(1986), Mournful Cries
Mournful Cries
Mournful Cries is the fourth album by the American doom metal band Saint Vitus, which was released in 1988. This was the band's last release on SST Records...
(1988) and V
V (Saint Vitus album)
V is the fifth album by the American doom metal band Saint Vitus, which was released in 1990. Its title is a reference to the Roman numeral five, not the letter "V" from the English alphabet...
(1990). Although Saint Vitus enjoyed moderate success with those albums, the band never achieved a popular breakthrough. Weinrich left the band in 1991 to focus on the reunion of his previous band The Obsessed
The Obsessed
The Obsessed is a doom metal band from Maryland led by Scott "Wino" Weinrich, who also fronted Saint Vitus, Spirit Caravan, Place of Skulls, The Hidden Hand and W.I.N.O.. Formed in 1976, they first split up in 1986 when Wino Saint Vitus, but reformed four years later...
, and was replaced by Chritus Linderson. Saint Vitus recorded the album C.O.D.
C.O.D. (album)
C.O.D. is the sixth studio album by Saint Vitus. The album was released in 1992 on Hellhound Records. This is the only album to feature former Count Raven vocalist Christian Lindersson. It is generally considered to be the band's low point...
(1992) before Linderson was dismissed from the band. In 1994, Saint Vitus reunited with Reagers and recorded Die Healing
Die Healing
Die Healing is the seventh album by doom metal pioneers Saint Vitus, which was released in 1995 by Hellhound Records. It was their final album before their breakup in 1996...
(1995), which would be their final album for 17 years.
After breaking up in 1996 and briefly reforming in 2003, Saint Vitus reunited again in 2008 with the band's "classic" line-up, featuring Weinrich, Chandler, Adams and Acosta, and embarked on a successful tour. After 31 years in the band, Acosta left Saint Vitus in 2009 and was replaced by Henry Vasquez. The new line-up recently completed a new album, titled Lilly F65
Lilly F65
Lilly F65 is the upcoming eighth studio album by the American doom metal band Saint Vitus, which is due for release in early 2012. This will be the first Saint Vitus studio album since 1995's Die Healing and the first to feature Scott "Wino" Weinrich on vocals in 22 years, since 1990's V...
, which will be released in early 2012.
Formation and first two albums (1978–1985)
The band was formed in 1978 under the name Tyrant, with Scott Reagers (vocals), Dave Chandler (guitar), Mark Adams (bass), and Armando Acosta (drums). After recording two demos, the band changed their name to Saint Vitus in 1980 after the song "St. Vitus' Dance" by Black SabbathBlack Sabbath
Black Sabbath are an English heavy metal band, formed in Aston, Birmingham in 1969 by Ozzy Osbourne , Tony Iommi , Geezer Butler , and Bill Ward . The band has since experienced multiple line-up changes, with Tony Iommi the only constant presence in the band through the years. A total of 22...
. Their main influences were Black Sabbath and Black Flag
Black Flag (band)
Black Flag was an American punk rock band formed in 1976 in Hermosa Beach, California. The band was established by Greg Ginn, the guitarist, primary songwriter and sole continuous member through multiple personnel changes in the band...
, the latter of which Saint Vitus toured with during the 1980s. Greg Ginn of Black Flag would also sign Saint Vitus to his label, SST Records
SST Records
SST Records is an American independent record label formed in 1978 in Long Beach, California by musician Greg Ginn. The company was initially called Solid State Transmitters through which Ginn sold electronics equipment...
, which eventually released 4 LPs and 2 EPs by the band.
Under this line-up, Saint Vitus recorded 2 albums (Saint Vitus
Saint Vitus (album)
Saint Vitus is the 1984 eponymous debut album by doom metal pioneers Saint Vitus released via SST Records. It was released as an LP and later as a CD. Both formats are currently difficult to find. "White Magic/Black Magic" and "Saint Vitus" are included on the compilation album Heavier Than Thou...
& Hallow's Victim
Hallow's Victim
Hallow's Victim is the second album by Saint Vitus. It was released in 1985 by SST Records. This album was the last to feature original singer Scott Reagers until their seventh album, Die Healing . Reagers also appears on The Walking Dead EP that was released the same year. For many years, it...
) and an EP (The Walking Dead
The Walking Dead (EP)
The Walking Dead is an EP by Saint Vitus released in 1985 by SST Records. This is the final release to feature original singer Scott Reagers until their final album, Die Healing...
). Reagers left the band in early 1986, and was replaced by The Obsessed
The Obsessed
The Obsessed is a doom metal band from Maryland led by Scott "Wino" Weinrich, who also fronted Saint Vitus, Spirit Caravan, Place of Skulls, The Hidden Hand and W.I.N.O.. Formed in 1976, they first split up in 1986 when Wino Saint Vitus, but reformed four years later...
frontman Scott "Wino" Weinrich
Scott Weinrich
Robert Scott "Wino" Weinrich is a doom metal guitarist and vocalist. Active since 1976, when he started his first band War Horse, Weinrich is best known for being the frontman and guitarist of the doom metal bands The Obsessed and Saint Vitus...
(at this time, The Obsessed
The Obsessed
The Obsessed is a doom metal band from Maryland led by Scott "Wino" Weinrich, who also fronted Saint Vitus, Spirit Caravan, Place of Skulls, The Hidden Hand and W.I.N.O.. Formed in 1976, they first split up in 1986 when Wino Saint Vitus, but reformed four years later...
had only released one 7"). Reagers' final performances featured songs from the upcoming album Born Too Late
Born Too Late
Born Too Late is the third album by the American doom metal band Saint Vitus, which was released in 1986. This was the first Saint Vitus album featuring former Obsessed singer Scott "Wino" Weinrich...
, such as 'The War Starter' and 'Hell Ain't A Game', as many of these were written whilst he was still in the band.
Weinrich-era (1986–1991)
Wino recorded three studio albums (Born Too LateBorn Too Late
Born Too Late is the third album by the American doom metal band Saint Vitus, which was released in 1986. This was the first Saint Vitus album featuring former Obsessed singer Scott "Wino" Weinrich...
, Mournful Cries
Mournful Cries
Mournful Cries is the fourth album by the American doom metal band Saint Vitus, which was released in 1988. This was the band's last release on SST Records...
& V
V (Saint Vitus album)
V is the fifth album by the American doom metal band Saint Vitus, which was released in 1990. Its title is a reference to the Roman numeral five, not the letter "V" from the English alphabet...
), a live album (Live
Live (Saint Vitus album)
Live is a live album by Saint Vitus recorded on November 10, 1989 at Germany's Circus Gammelsdorf. The album was released in 1990 on Hellhound Records. It was re-released by Southern Lord Records in 2005. This is the final release to feature singer Scott "Wino" Weinrich...
), and an EP (Thirsty and Miserable
Thirsty and Miserable
Thirsty and Miserable is an EP released by Saint Vitus in 1987 on SST Records. The title track is a cover of Black Flag. The tracks were released in 1987 on CD by SST as bonus tracks to the Born Too Late album.-Track listing:...
, featuring the Black Flag
Black Flag (band)
Black Flag was an American punk rock band formed in 1976 in Hermosa Beach, California. The band was established by Greg Ginn, the guitarist, primary songwriter and sole continuous member through multiple personnel changes in the band...
cover of the same name) with Vitus. By 1989, Saint Vitus had been dropped from SST and signed to Hellhound Records
Hellhound Records
Hellhound Records was a German record label during the late 80s and 90s, self-described as "The Heaviest Label On Earth". They became known for putting out doom metal, with artists such as Saint Vitus and The Obsessed. In the early 90s Hellhound signed a number of Maryland doom bands such as...
, who released the band's next three albums. Weinrich left Saint Vitus in 1991 to reform The Obsessed
The Obsessed
The Obsessed is a doom metal band from Maryland led by Scott "Wino" Weinrich, who also fronted Saint Vitus, Spirit Caravan, Place of Skulls, The Hidden Hand and W.I.N.O.. Formed in 1976, they first split up in 1986 when Wino Saint Vitus, but reformed four years later...
after Vitus's label, Hellhound Records
Hellhound Records
Hellhound Records was a German record label during the late 80s and 90s, self-described as "The Heaviest Label On Earth". They became known for putting out doom metal, with artists such as Saint Vitus and The Obsessed. In the early 90s Hellhound signed a number of Maryland doom bands such as...
, released an album of older Obsessed recordings.
C.O.D., Die Healing and breakup (1992–2002)
Following Weinrich's departure, the band found former Count RavenCount Raven
Count Raven are a doom metal band established in 1989 in Sweden. In 1990-1996 Count Raven released four studio albums, described as "classic" to the genre, then broke up in 1999...
singer Chritus Linderson as a replacement after a short search. He would record only one album, C.O.D.
C.O.D. (album)
C.O.D. is the sixth studio album by Saint Vitus. The album was released in 1992 on Hellhound Records. This is the only album to feature former Count Raven vocalist Christian Lindersson. It is generally considered to be the band's low point...
, and tour Europe and America with the band until 1993 before being replaced by original vocalist Scott Reagers for their final album Die Healing
Die Healing
Die Healing is the seventh album by doom metal pioneers Saint Vitus, which was released in 1995 by Hellhound Records. It was their final album before their breakup in 1996...
, regarded by the band to be their finest work. Saint Vitus played dates in America and Europe following the album's release. After the completion of the tour, Saint Vitus decided to disband in 1996.
Chandler went on to form the punk/doom band Debris Inc.
Debris Inc.
Debris Inc. was a doom metal/punk rock band from Chicago, active between 2001 and 2008.-Members:*Dave Chandler - guitar, vocals *Ron Holzner - bass...
, with Ron Holzner of Trouble
Trouble (band)
Trouble is an American doom metal band noted as one of the pioneers of their genre, alongside bands such as Candlemass and Saint Vitus. The band created a distinct style taking influences of the British heavy metal bands Black Sabbath and Judas Priest, and psychedelic rock of the 1970s...
in the early 2000s. They released their self titled album via Rise Above Records
Rise Above Records
Rise Above Records is a London, England based independent record label owned by Lee Dorrian . It is named after a Napalm Death song from their EP Mentally Murdered. It was formed in the late 1980s and originally made to sell live releases by Napalm Death and S.O.B., but by 1991 had changed to cater...
in 2005. Acosta stayed busy with a band called Dirty Red, Adams no longer played music, and Reagers also left the music scene. After The Obsessed broke up in the mid-90's, Wino moved back to Maryland and formed Shine/Spirit Caravan
Spirit Caravan
Spirit Caravan was a Maryland doom/stoner metal band featuring the guitarist and vocalist Scott Weinrich.-Biography:Scott "Wino" Weinrich formed Spirit Caravan after the breakup of The Obsessed. The remainder of the band consisted of Dave Shermann on bass and vocals; and Gary Isom on drums...
and once again toured Europe and the US until the bands break up in the early 2000s. His next band, The Hidden Hand, followed a similar path before breaking up in the mid-2000s. Wino also briefly joined Place of Skulls, featuring former Pentagram
Pentagram (band)
Pentagram is a American heavy metal band from Virginia, most famous as one of the pioneers of doom metal. The band was prolific in the underground scene of the 1970s, producing many demos and rehearsal tapes, but did not release a full-length album until reforming in the early 1980s with an almost...
/Death Row guitarist Victor Griffin, for the album 'With Vision' released in 2003.
Reunion(s) (2003–present)
On July 1, 2003, the classic Born Too Late line-up (Weinrich, Chandler, Adams, Acosta) played a gig at Double DoorDouble Door
Double Door is a concert hall and nightclub located at 1572 N. Milwaukee Avenue, in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood. The venue was first opened on June 12, 1994, and is co-owned by Andy Barrett, Sean Mulroney and Joe Shanahan...
in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
. The performance was recorded and released on a DVD that is distributed through Chandler's current band, Debris, Inc..
In 2008, it was announced that Saint Vitus were reuniting again for a tour in 2009. The band headlined Friday's April 24 date at the 2009 Roadburn Festival
Roadburn Festival
Roadburn Festival is an annual international rock festival in Tilburg in the Netherlands held since 1995.-2012 edition:The event will take place in Tilburg from April 12 to 15 at 013 and Midi Theatre.It was sold out in 7 minutes.Thursday, April 12...
. at the 013 venue in Tilburg, Netherlands and then went on to play three gigs in Germany. The lineup for this reunion was the same as the 2003 reunion.
Drummer Armando Acosta, who had been with the band since its inception over thirty years ago, left the band before the European tour of 2009 had been completed.
Dave Chandler has cited health concerns as the reason for Armando's replacement. He has since been replaced by Henry Vasquez of the band Blood Of The Sun. When asked about the possibility of Armando rejoining the band, Dave stated:
I don’t think so. He said a lot of stuff that was on the internet that was bad. There’s a big wall between me and him right now and I don’t want to deal with it. Henry’s the better drummer anyway. I’m real comfortable with Henry. He’s kickass the way it should be.
In February 2010, Chandler stated that there was talk of Saint Vitus recording new material, but there were no concrete plans at the time. However, according to frontman Scott "Wino" Weinrich
Scott Weinrich
Robert Scott "Wino" Weinrich is a doom metal guitarist and vocalist. Active since 1976, when he started his first band War Horse, Weinrich is best known for being the frontman and guitarist of the doom metal bands The Obsessed and Saint Vitus...
, "we're writing some stuff right now. Everybody's pretty busy. I know I've been busy. The Wino band is pretty much on hiatus right now. So it looks like we'll be doing some recording in the near future. The bottom line is we would like to do a new record. There's talk about it. We've already been floating around a couple ideas. So yeah, somewhere down the line there will be a new Vitus record in the cards." In March 2010, Wino revealed to the German edition of Metal Hammer magazine that Saint Vitus are without a record label, and have only written one new song so far, but that a full-length studio effort from the group would likely surface within the next 12 months, making a 2011 release date likely. However, plans eventually fell through, but had planned to regroup to make the album sometime in the summer of 2011, after the band finishes the 2011 Metalliance Tour with Helmet
Helmet (band)
Helmet is an alternative metal band from New York City formed in 1989. Founded by vocalist and lead guitarist Page Hamilton, Helmet has had numerous lineup changes, and Hamilton has been the only constant member....
and Crowbar. On the Metalliance Tour, Saint Vitus debuted a new song called "Blessed Night". On November 8, 2010, it was announced that they were signed to Season of Mist
Season of Mist
Season of Mist is a record label and record distributor with subsidiaries in France and the United States. The record label was founded in 1996 by Michael S. Berberian in Marseille, France. From the start releasing black metal, pagan metal and death metal records, the label moved on to releasing...
and will release their new album, entitled Lilly F65
Lilly F65
Lilly F65 is the upcoming eighth studio album by the American doom metal band Saint Vitus, which is due for release in early 2012. This will be the first Saint Vitus studio album since 1995's Die Healing and the first to feature Scott "Wino" Weinrich on vocals in 22 years, since 1990's V...
, in early 2012. Once released, it will be Saint Vitus' first studio album since 1995's Die Healing
Die Healing
Die Healing is the seventh album by doom metal pioneers Saint Vitus, which was released in 1995 by Hellhound Records. It was their final album before their breakup in 1996...
, its first release with vocalist Wino Weinrich
Scott Weinrich
Robert Scott "Wino" Weinrich is a doom metal guitarist and vocalist. Active since 1976, when he started his first band War Horse, Weinrich is best known for being the frontman and guitarist of the doom metal bands The Obsessed and Saint Vitus...
since 1990's V
V (Saint Vitus album)
V is the fifth album by the American doom metal band Saint Vitus, which was released in 1990. Its title is a reference to the Roman numeral five, not the letter "V" from the English alphabet...
and first release without Armando Acosta on drums.
Late 2009 through 2010 also saw the majority of Saint Vitus' back catalog come back into print. SST Records reissued vinyl versions of all the group's records except for the first album, which was reissued on CD. The label also released "Hallow's Victim" and "The Walking Dead" on CD, having never previously been available in the format. Buried By Time and Dust Records also did a limited vinyl issue of "Die Healing" (the first time that album had been available on vinyl) with a CD reissue expected to follow.
Armando Acosta passed away November 25, 2010 at the age of 58.
On December 8, 2010, Armando Acosta was buried at Riverside National Cemetery in California. The band dedicated their December tour to his memory.
Band members
- Dave Chandler – lead guitar (1978–1996, 2003, 2008–present)
- Mark Adams – bass (1978–1996, 2003, 2008–present)
- Scott "Wino" WeinrichScott WeinrichRobert Scott "Wino" Weinrich is a doom metal guitarist and vocalist. Active since 1976, when he started his first band War Horse, Weinrich is best known for being the frontman and guitarist of the doom metal bands The Obsessed and Saint Vitus...
– lead vocals (1986–1991, 2003, 2008–present) - Henry Vasquez – drums, percussion (2009–present)
Former members
- Armando Acosta – drums, percussion (1978–1996, 2003, 2008–2009)
- Scott Reagers – lead vocals (1978–1986, 1994–1996)
- Chritus Linderson – lead vocals (1991–1994)
Discography
- Saint VitusSaint Vitus (album)Saint Vitus is the 1984 eponymous debut album by doom metal pioneers Saint Vitus released via SST Records. It was released as an LP and later as a CD. Both formats are currently difficult to find. "White Magic/Black Magic" and "Saint Vitus" are included on the compilation album Heavier Than Thou...
(1984) - Hallow's VictimHallow's VictimHallow's Victim is the second album by Saint Vitus. It was released in 1985 by SST Records. This album was the last to feature original singer Scott Reagers until their seventh album, Die Healing . Reagers also appears on The Walking Dead EP that was released the same year. For many years, it...
(1985) - Born Too LateBorn Too LateBorn Too Late is the third album by the American doom metal band Saint Vitus, which was released in 1986. This was the first Saint Vitus album featuring former Obsessed singer Scott "Wino" Weinrich...
(1986) - Mournful CriesMournful CriesMournful Cries is the fourth album by the American doom metal band Saint Vitus, which was released in 1988. This was the band's last release on SST Records...
(1988) - VV (Saint Vitus album)V is the fifth album by the American doom metal band Saint Vitus, which was released in 1990. Its title is a reference to the Roman numeral five, not the letter "V" from the English alphabet...
(1990) - C.O.D.C.O.D. (album)C.O.D. is the sixth studio album by Saint Vitus. The album was released in 1992 on Hellhound Records. This is the only album to feature former Count Raven vocalist Christian Lindersson. It is generally considered to be the band's low point...
(1992) - Die HealingDie HealingDie Healing is the seventh album by doom metal pioneers Saint Vitus, which was released in 1995 by Hellhound Records. It was their final album before their breakup in 1996...
(1995) - Lilly F65Lilly F65Lilly F65 is the upcoming eighth studio album by the American doom metal band Saint Vitus, which is due for release in early 2012. This will be the first Saint Vitus studio album since 1995's Die Healing and the first to feature Scott "Wino" Weinrich on vocals in 22 years, since 1990's V...
(2012)