Saint Vitus (band)

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Saint Vitus is an American doom metal band from Los Angeles, formed in 1978. They started as Tyrant and changed their name to Saint Vitus in 1980 after a Black Sabbath song. They are one of the first doom metal bands and are often grouped with Candlemass, Pentagram, and Trouble as the genre’s “big four.” Over the years they released nine studio albums and influenced doom, sludge, and stoner rock, even without becoming a mainstream hit.

The original lineup was Dave Chandler (guitar), Mark Adams (bass), Armando Acosta (drums), and Scott Reagers (vocals). In 1986, Scott Weinrich, also known as Wino, joined as vocalist, creating the best-known lineup: Chandler, Adams, Acosta, and Weinrich. Their third album Born Too Late (1986) is widely regarded as their standout release. Their early sound blended dark, psychedelic riffs with heavy metal and punk influences, and they initially stood apart from the more popular metal of the time. After being discovered by Black Flag’s Greg Ginn, they signed to SST Records and toured with Black Flag and other punk bands.

Reagers left in 1986 and Wino took over, leading to a productive period with Born Too Late (1986), Mournful Cries (1988), and V (1990), plus a live album and an EP. Born Too Late became a doom metal classic. In 1989 SST dropped the band, and Saint Vitus moved to Hellhound Records. Wino left in 1991 to reform The Obsessed, and Christian Linderson (Chritus) joined for the C.O.D. album before Reagers returned for Die Healing (1995). The band broke up in 1996.

They reformed for a 2003 reunion show and again in 2008 for a tour with the classic lineup. Drummer Armando Acosta left in 2009 due to health problems and was replaced by Henry Vasquez. In the mid-2010s, Wino left again and Reagers filled in on tours. They released Lillie: F-65 in 2012 on Season of Mist, their first new studio album since 1995, and in 2019 released a self-titled album, Saint Vitus. During this time, bassist Mark Adams faced health issues and Pat Bruders of Crowbar and Down filled in for tours; Adams later died in 2023 after battling Parkinson’s disease. Armando Acosta had died in 2010.

Saint Vitus remains an influential force in doom metal, known for their heavy, brooding sound and enduring members who carried the band through decades of change.