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Rating: It's easy to judge in hindsight, but the SST catalog in the '80s was truly a gold mine. Those who were fortunate enough to approach the releases of Greg Ginn's label knew that the next one would be different and nothing was taken for granted. There wasn't a recognizable SST sound but many great bands, with much to say and add to what R'N'R had said until then.
It is from this stable of champions that the story of St. Vitus begins. Cult band, group of late freaks obsessed with Sabbath. Seeing them in photos must have been a shock for some hardcore kid with a narrow mind. The image that comes to mind is that of a Hell's Angels gathering, a mob of drunk and stoned bikers covered in black leather and tattoos.
What I have in my hands today is a live recorded in Germany in 1989, with the great Scott "Wino" Weinrich on vocals. A sound that, as I said, owes everything to Black Sabbath but doesn't stop at mere copying, there's much more, there's the reimagining of a sound and the beginning of a heavily pessimistic poetry. Tony Iommi's riffs are taken as a model by the wild guitarist Dave Chandler, and it is in these slow sound spirals that they find themselves comfortable, basking in the pain as Wino screams his resigned despair. Listen to "Born Too Late" or "Dying Inside", and you'll understand. Years later, someone will label all this as Doom and many will pay tribute to these sound experimenters, glorious electric warriors.
Today we're close to spring but it's strangely cold, moreover the sky is completely black and it's raining. I turn up the volume and light a joint while Wino intones his mantra... I'm losing all my friends and lovers.
Tracklist and Lyrics
06 White Stallions (05:52)
White Stallions
(Chandler)
yesterday I saw my face
pictured in the sky
as I gazed upon myself
my whole life flashed by
I heard the sound of hoofbeats
from a thousand angry mares
before I could control my thoughts
my inner soul was theirs
white stallions
in my vein
white stallions
lord stop me
before I go insane
took me to the promised land
where everything is free
looked around and saw my friends
laughing loud at me
a great stone wall divided us
on their side was a dance
on my side was endless torture
guess I blew my chance
only time can ease the pain
the stallions left behind
tiny hoofprints on my arm
strung out in a line
wish that I could start again
and change my evil ways
trapped upon the stallion's back
'till my dying days
07 Look Behind You (04:16)
Foggy morning drifting 'round you
Blackened haze
You can't see past your trembling hand
Pounding footsteps right behind you
Every day
Shadows from an empty man
Look behind you
Echoed screaming in your ears
Constantly
Reaching for your loaded gun
Ringing in forbidden fears
Suddenly
Look behind you as you run
Look behind you
Turn the corner, dead-end street, you can't go on
What are you gonna do?
By yourself right from the start
You live in doubt
Everything was all dreamed up by you
Look behind you
Look behind you
Look behind you
11 Clear Windowpane (08:32)
I see colours everywhere
I have things living in my hair
In the dark, I see lights
My brain is working overtime
On clear windowpane
In my house, all things glow
My walls are a living light show
Purple dragons, smoke with me
I have friends only I can see
On clear windowpane
I can't handle coming down
'Cause I can't take the human crowd
I can't face reality
So I fly back to where I am free
On clear windowpane
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