Saint Vitus

To say that a new record from doom masters Saint Vitus has been highly anticipated would be a severe understatement. Named after a drug popular in the '70s, Lillie: F-65 is the band's first new album since 1995's Die Healing and also features vocalist Scott "Wino" Weinrich, who returns for the first time since 1989's V. Opening track "Let Them Fall" starts the album off with that classic Vitus sound, featuring Dave Chandler's powerful, fuzzy guitars and Wino's coarse vocals. "The Bleeding Ground" is one of the album's best tracks, showcasing a crippling, gritty riff and a feedback-laden solo. The groovy, catchy "Blessed Night" is also a highlight. However, the latter half of this short 33-minute record wavers, as the tracks become increasingly less memorable. Although Saint Vitus return 17 years later with arguably their best line-up and some great tunes, something on Lillie: F-65 is off. While the tracks are still heavily Black Sabbath-influenced, unfiltered doom, they don't live up to the expectations of what Wino-era Saint Vitus should be capable of.