Review by Ded Bolt for Saint Vitus - Die Healing (1995)

I'll say upfront, Scott Reagers is easily the finest doom vocalist in the history of the genre. After the wretched misstep called C.O.D., bringing in Reagers for a full circle return to glory was absolutely the smartest thing this band could've done. I think everyone was stunned when this album hit the shelves because Reagers had been a missing person for the decade following his first departure from the band. When his rubbery ultra-creepy emotive voice kicks in, it's as if time stood still. In fact, I'd venture to say that not only is he the MVP of this amazing sludgefest, this is also easily his finest recorded performance. No question about it.

The material here is notably even more dirged-out and sludgy than any of their previous albums. One thing that really sets this apart from the rest of the band's recorded work is the use of more dynamics in the arrangements. There's a greater mix of light and shade. These tracks sometimes swing from dense heaviness to sparse atmospherics, which really gives this album a more accomplished and sophisticated feel. 

One listen to "In The Asylum" will illustrate this point perfectly. That track is the most deranged, creepy, whacked out thing the band has ever done and Reagers sells it like a preacher strung out on hallucinogens and bath salts. Seriously. It's maddeningly brilliant.