Acid Bath, a metal band from Louisiana, will be reuniting to play some shows in 2025. Acid Bath was active from 1991 to 1997. The group is considered to be sludge metal, which combines elements of southern rock, doom, blues, and a bit of hardcore punk. It features tuned-down guitars, bluesy riffs, and often lyrics about drugs, poverty, and even pollution. The sub genre is considered to be a mix of doom and stoner metal.
Acid Bath’s Formation and History
The original Acid Bath members were from Houma, Louisiana. They formed in the early 1990s. By 1991 the lineup was Dax Riggs on vocals, Sammy “Pierre” Duet and Mike Sanchez on guitars, Jimmy Kyle on drums, and Audie Pitre playing bass. Tomás (Tommy) Viator joined them on keyboards from 1996 to 1997. In 1997, sadly their bassist Audie was killed in an automobile accident. At that point, the surviving members called it quits to move onto various other projects.
Acid Bath released two studio albums in the 1990s. Both of the albums contained controversial cover art, the first one being a clown drawing by John Wayne Gacy. Their second album had cover art drawn by Jack Kevorkian. Although both albums were generally well received, the band was not commercially known. Now Acid Bath’s music is considered very influential in the underground metal scene.
Acid Bath Reunites After 28 Years
In 2024, Riggs, Duet, and Sanchez reunited, along with drummer Zack Simmons (from Goatwhore) and Alex Bergeron on bass (from Dax’s former band Agents of Oblivion). The five musicians have some shows planned in Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Florida, and California. It’s likely more dates will be added on.
In May of 2024 another tragedy struck when their former keyboardist Tommy Viator passed away from heart disease. Viator was adept at playing both drums and keyboards. He was additionally the drummer for metal band Disincarnate. Tommy’s death was a catalyst for Acid Bath to reunite and play their music to celebrate his life and Audie Pitre’s.
A Few Final Thoughts
We’re glad to see such talented musicians as Dax, Sammy, and Mike pairing up with Zack and Alex to do shows. Also, it has been great to see bands like Acid Bath get their well-deserved recognition. Metal music had a resurgence in the 1990s, with the formation of multiple sub genres. Acid Bath represents a place in the realm of metal. Hopefully this reunion tour will lead to something much bigger for them.
