Barring an unexpected airing of “Scarface” or “Goodfellas” on a Saturday afternoon, there’s nothing to rival the dark and gloomy euphoria of an old ST. VITUS record. This little gem, originally released on the Hellhound label in the early nineties, is a mashed-potatoes-and-gravy essential, especially for the younger folks that missed out on the era of denim jacket patches. And while Southern Lord have spared yours truly from the drool-worthy 32-page set of liner notes featured in this reissue (skinny promo make me saddo), there’s still plenty to get excited about musically.

While it is admittedly tempting to write an extensive text on the charm and numerous virtues of the VITUS catalog, suffice to say that there’s a subtle air of patience and high-mileage wisdom woven into the songs that make up the “Born Too Late” and “Hallows Victim” era (from which most of this live set is taken). For the newcomers, the same patience may be required to appreciate it. But after marinating your thinker in the tar-like stickiness of “Look Behind You” or trampling it under the chariot race of “White Stallions” several times, the unadorned enormity of it all begins to register. The informal, hup-our-own-gear vibe comes through loud and clear, as Wino calls out, “You gotta turn the monitors down for it!” prior to launching into the perfect crawling vibrations of “Born To Late”. It’s especially remarkable how adept Wino breathes dread into lyrics like “I’m losing all my friends and lovers / alcohol knows it’s gonna win” from “Dying Inside”. And the grand finale rendering of “Clear Windowpane” is a blazing, balls-out wah attack from Chandler and includes a marvelous thuddy drum solo from Acosta. I’m on spin number 10 and there’s no end in sight. Buy it.

- Marchman

OFFICIAL SITE: www.southernlord.com/band_STV.php

MP3 SOUND SCRAP: Living Backwards

RELATED ITEMS: No related articles at this time.