Artist: Saint Vitus
Title: Lillie: F-65
Genre: Doom Metal
Release Date: 27 April 2012
Label: Season Of Mist
Album Review
SAINT VITUS formed in the year 1979 as ‘Tyrant’ but soon changed their name. The quartet from the United States is among the most influential acts in Doom Metal and are, on their part, strongly affected by BLACK SABBATH. They dissolved in 1995, after having released seven studio records, like ‘Born Too Late’ (1986) or ‘V’ (1989). SAINT VITUS reunited shortly in 2003 and then in 2008, with ‘Lillie: F-65’ they put out their first album after 17 years. It is highly audible that ‘Lillie: F-65’ is a very mature and perfected album - SAINT VITUS still sound very unique and follow up on the style of their early albums. The opener ‘Let Them Fall’ is a mid-tempo, depressing song with a gloomy and dark atmosphere. SAINT VITUS’ riffs and melodies have their distinct sound and harmonies; the overall tempo varies between slow and comparably up-tempo-like, as in the second part of ‘The Bleeding Ground’. Their lyrics are often a critical dispute with society but also conceptualize human errors. ‘Vertigo’ is a calm interlude without any vocals, which serves as a good transition to ‘Blessed Night’, which is in turn a faster song with moaning but at the same time harsh vocals.
The song-structures often include monotonous phrases, which add to the overall depression and serve as a remarkable feature. Furthermore, the guitars sound very low-tuned and solo-motifs can be found as well. The following ‘The Waste Of Time’ is slower, sagging and includes a interesting chorus. ‘Dependence’, the longest track of the album, deals with alcoholism, which is also a re-occurring motif in the band’s lyrics. The last song, ‘Withdrawal’ functions like an outro and consist of very distorted and disturbing guitar sounds. In general, ‘Lillie: F-65’ is a very balanced and elaborate work - every track belongs on the album and the particular arrangement of the tracklist fits accordingly. As the name corresponds to a very strong sedative, the atmosphere conveys feelings of depression or even loneliness. The band maintained their earlier style from the 80s and managed not to repeat themselves but restore their very own and characteristic style. Fans of traditional and modern Doom Metal are highly recommended to listen to this album, since it marks one of the top releases in 2012.
Tracklist
01. Let Them Fall
02. The Bleeding Ground
03. Vertigo
04. Blessed Night
05. The Waste Of Time
06. Dependence
07.Withdrawal
Line-up
Dave Chandler - Guitar
Scott "Wino" Weinrich - Vocals
Mark Adams - Bass
Henry Vasquez - Drums
Website
www.facebook.com/saintvitusofficial / www.myspace.com/stvitus
Cover Picture
Rating
Music: 10
Sound: 9
Extras: -
Total: 9.5 / 10
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