Nick Cline
Nov 26, 2024
Acid Bath are Louisiana cult icons of sludge and southern metal.
Acid Bath was born from the depths of Louisiana. Its sludgy riffs, dark poetry, powerful but vulnerable melodies, and pounding rhythm section launched the Houma-grown band into the cult classic stratosphere. Here we are in 2024, and their music resonates just as much as it did back in the day. I may not have been around for their heyday, but I am seeing the influence of this iconic band more than ever in the present day. You cannot mention Louisiana metal without mentioning Acid Bath.
For those not familiar, Acid Bath began in Houma, Louisiana, in 1991. The initial creation of the band was the brainchild of multiple people from two separate bands. The first influential band was Dark Karnival, which consisted of Audie Pitre, Sammy Pierre Duet, and Tommy Viator. The second band was Golgotha, which featured Dax Riggs, Mike Sanchez, Jimmy Kyle, and Jerry "Boon" Businelli.
The camaraderie within both bands led to a constant rotation of musicians, eventually leading to the bands leaning into each other when needed. The culmination of these two bands created a lightning-in-a-bottle moment that the world was waiting to see. The "finalized" line-up was Dax Riggs (lead vocals/guitar), Mike Sanchez (guitar), Sammy Pierre Duet (backing vocals/guitar), Audie Pitre (backing vocals/bass), and Jimmy Kyle (drums/percussion).
Over the years, Acid Bath has cultivated a devoted following by pioneering a unique sound that cannot be categorized. Their blend of riffs reminiscent of Black Sabbath, the relentless rhythm of punk, grunge, and metal, and the soulful poetry infused with blues and alternative energy created a musical force that emerging bands cannot touch. Even today, their music stands the test of time and sounds as fresh as the day it was released.
In 1993, Acid Bath recorded their first demo, Hymns of the Needle Freak, which gained quick and fierce traction in the Gulf scenes. In 1994, the legendary album When the Kite String Pops was released to the world. Most of the general audience knows this album by its iconic album art, which features the painting of the infamous serial killer, John Wayne Gacy, in his haunting Pogo the Clown costume, but it is so much more than that. The vibe that this album has is so unique and different from anything else out there, and it truly stands the test of time.
Songs such as ‘Cheap Vodka, 'Scream of the Butterfly,’ and ‘Dr. Seuss Is Dead’ are among the most popular in the track listing, but one of my favorites is ‘Tranquilized.’ When the Kite String Pops’ powerful sound in the '90s put Acid Bath in a league of musical legends from across the country that included Pantera, Down, Corrosion of Conformity and many others, still, they never truly reached that career peak they deserved. Acid Bath’s success, alongside their sophomore album, Paegan Terrorism Tactics, cemented them into history books for metal bands nationwide, too. With potent tracks such as 'Paegan Love Song' and 'Venus Blue', this album solidified who Acid Bath was. However, still, the problem with this is that their legacy was not hammered into the souls of the listeners besides a very dominant cult following their creation. Could that happen now? I think so.
In 1997, the band ended abruptly when Audie Pitre, the bassist, died in a fatal car accident. This unexpected tragedy cemented the end of Acid Bath, as the music world knew it, or so we thought. Enter the present day.
Even after almost 30 years, Acid Bath's legacy continues to thrive in the swamps, streets, and hearts of the metal world in Louisiana and beyond. Their unwavering commitment to originality is what most people remember from their music. This sentiment was echoed by many in my interviews. One anonymous source shared that Acid Bath was among the first music and shows they discovered, sparking a sense of wonder and scale in the Louisiana scene.
Ryan Henry, better known as We Are the Virus, shared his take on encountering Acid Bath member Sammy Pierre Duet at shows.
"Sammy makes the audience feel seen. The one time I got to meet him, he made an effort to shake my hand, hold a conversation, and give time to me in the midst of so many trying to get his attention."
This year marked a new milestone for Acid Bath. In October, the band posted a statement that confirmed something was brewing, but what exactly? They announced their involvement in a couple of music festivals in the northern United States, but is this a true return?
After the announcement, the internet exploded with support and shock, which only fueled the fire that Acid Bath started in the 90s. The true power in their legacy is not only their music—it is their originality, home-grown talent, involvement in the scene, and overwhelming mission to make a mark on the music world, even though life has pushed them down repeatedly. Acid Bath will live on from the depths of Louisiana, and I am here for it. Even though I was not old enough to know their music back in the 90s, I look forward to this new era with the band and await more news from these iconic musicians. After you finish reading this article, go listen to Acid Bath’s music if you are unfamiliar. I guarantee you will be hooked after that first listen.
To learn more about Acid Bath:
Nick Cline is the powerhouse behind the Louisiana-based band, Phantum Sun, and loves checking out new music. Got something you think he'd like? Email us at mixedalternativemag@gmail.com.