The original line-up consisted of Dave Chandler (guitar), Mark Adams (bass), Armando Acosta (drums) and Scott Reagers (vocals). They recorded their first two albums before Scott Weinrich replaced Reagers in 1986. The line-up of Chandler, Adams, Acosta and Weinrich is the longest-lasting. The third album Born Too Late (1986) is generally acknowledged as their best release.[3]
After breaking up in 1996 and briefly reforming in 2003, Saint Vitus reunited again in 2008 with the band's "classic" line-up, featuring Weinrich, Chandler, Adams and Acosta, and embarked on a successful tour. However, after 30 years in the band, Acosta left Saint Vitus in 2009 due to worsening health, and was replaced by Henry Vasquez. By 2016, both Weinrich and Adams had left Saint Vitus and were replaced by Reagers and Patrick Bruders respectively, leaving Chandler as the only constant member of the band and reuniting two-fourths of the original lineup.
The Psychopath
Saint Vitus Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Screaming loud and bright
The neighborhood asylum
Reports escape tonite
Look around the corner
Behind every bush
Your sanity is thin now
Just needs a little push
Watch out – beware
The psychopath is loose
Hold on – tighter
The psychopath is you
Hordes of screaming mad men
Rushing to your side
They say they'll give you glory
But all they do is lie
L.S.D. was given
Intravenously
It's a wonder they can walk,
Talk or even see
Everywhere there's people
Which one can he be
They say he looks unusual
They say he looks like me
Feel the icy fingers
Tighten 'round your neck
Whirl around in horror
No body's there yet
The Saint Vitus song “The Psychopath” paints a terrifying picture of a madman on the loose, and it's no ordinary madman. The singer warns the listener to watch out and be wary because the psychopath is among us, and it might be a part of us. The lyrics describe the various signs that indicate the presence of the psychopath: a siren screaming, the sound of a mental asylum's escape, the thinning of sanity, the sudden urge to do things that we know are wrong. The lyrics also suggest that the psychopath is not only outside but also inside of us, hiding silently and waiting for the right moment to come out.
The singer describes the use of L.S.D., which, when given intravenously, makes it difficult to distinguish between reality and illusion. The drug amplifies the effects of the psychopath that lurks within us, creating an even larger risk of losing touch with reality. The song's chorus, “Hold on – tighter, the psychopath is you” is a warning to the listener to be cautious and not let their inner psychopath take over their actions.
Overall, “The Psychopath” is a dark and foreboding song about the thin line between sanity and madness, and how easy it is to cross it. The song's eerie and psychological lyrics challenge the listener to think deeply about their emotions and what darkness might dwell within them.
Line by Line Meaning
Listen for the siren
Be on the alert and pay attention to the warning sign
Screaming loud and bright
The warning sign is intense and impossible to ignore
The neighborhood asylum
The mental institution located nearby
Reports escape tonite
There has been a breakout from the mental institution on this particular night
Look around the corner
Be careful and vigilant in your surroundings
Behind every bush
The potential danger could be lurking anywhere
Your sanity is thin now
Your mental and emotional stability is in jeopardy
Just needs a little push
It would only take a small amount of pressure to push you over the edge
Watch out – beware
Be cautious and alarmed
The psychopath is loose
The dangerous mental patient is on the loose
Hold on – tighter
Make sure to grip onto something tightly for safety
The psychopath is you
The lyrics are suggesting that the real danger might be within yourself
Hordes of screaming mad men
Crazed individuals are gathering around you
Rushing to your side
They are closing in rapidly
They say they'll give you glory
They are promising fame or admiration
But all they do is lie
Their promises are empty and insincere
L.S.D. was given
The drug LSD has been administered
Intravenously
Through the use of an IV
It's a wonder they can walk,
The drug use has affected their mobility
Talk or even see
And their cognitive abilities have also been impaired
Everywhere there's people
People are surrounding you everywhere you turn
Which one can he be
It's impossible to tell who might be the psychopath
They say he looks unusual
The suspected psychopath looks different or strange
They say he looks like me
The lyrics create a sense of paranoia and fear that the viewer might identify with the psychopath
Feel the icy fingers
Feel the sensation of cold, threatening danger
Tighten 'round your neck
As if hands are constricting your breathing
Whirl around in horror
The fear and panic may cause you to lose control and become disoriented
No body's there yet
Despite your fear and anxiety, there is no physical presence of the psychopath (yet)
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mariana D'Amelio
I'll just say it: I'm discovering some deep Doom bands just these past years, and I love it.
I wish I was born earlier blabla but I wouldn't have internet to discover this exagerated huge amount of awesome bands of so many genres
Anna Czarny
I'm sure there was a doomfan community in Italy during 80s and 90s. At least in the bigger cities like Rome.
glitchedgamer
There's a Born Too Late joke in here somewhere.
Big Bear
🤘😎🤘
B. SMILEY III
Though, it would be nice to have a time machine to visit the 70s lol id see Black Sabbath in Paris, 1970. Id then go to a Pentagram rehearsal in 72/73, and the og Funkadelic lineup with Eddie Hazel on guitar, Tiki on drums, and the rest of the band, including myself, tripping acid. Watch Eddie record maggot brain right in the studio on orange sunshine acid 😈
B. SMILEY III
I feel the same. The 70s would be great, but we have access to everything at our fingertips. There's a plus side to this crazy generation we are in lol. Check out the og american pioneer doom band Bedemon, if you havent already. This stuff is from 1973, and its an offshoot of Pentagram (which is also a Doom pioneer band from 1971). Bedemon - Child of Darkness. The rawest doom in existence. The genius behind it, Randy Palmer, was in Pentagram for a short period in 74ish, only wanted he and his close friends to record some stuff he wrote as a personal artistic expression without any seriousness to rerecord or release it at all. Just for his own outlet. He had a heroin addiction, and some of the songs reflect this (like 'Serpent Venom') They recorded it in the warehouse Pentagram used to rehearse. Years later, it became a legendary rare, sought after bootleg in the trade scene, and they finally officially released it in the 2000s. It is crudely recorded, lofi from a reel-to-reel, but it is some special stuff. Apologies if your already heard it, but it is amazing stuff. Randy was ahead of his time, and he probably didn't realize what he had at the time. The title track Child Of Darkness is one of my favorite doom songs.
Lepotadneva
I just want to say that Saint Vitus music is one of the honest music in the world, god bless Vitus, amen!
lonewizzard
Phenomenal song and album. Reagers vibrato is hair raising. Metal for life!!!!!
bluehavencd
Armando Acosta, truly was an underrated drummer. Especially in the faster paced songs...damn is all I can say. I have to say up there with Cozy Powell, Mark Zonder, John Bonham, just to name a few.
babalooey100
Slow and melodic - what more could a man ask for?