Say Goodnight To the World With Dax Riggs

When you're looking for mighty dark and ethereal imagery, it's hard to beat Dax Riggs. His latest album, Say Goodnight To the World, is a fitting title for another solo excursion on the Fat Possum label.

This Texas-based singer by way of Louisiana has a long history of going to the dark side. He was the front man for black and heavy metal band Acid Bath (and others). Later, he fronted Deadboy and the Elephantmen through 2007. He eventually decided to go it semi-alone, releasing We Sing of Only Blood Or Love in 2007 and If This Is Hell Then I’m Lucky In 2008.

For Say Goodnight, he enlisted the able support of drummer Charley Siess, bassist Kevin Fitzsimmons, and co-producer Robbie Lee (Howling Hex) to record a blues-infused experimental rock body of work. It was recorded over the course of two weeks.

Say Goodnight To the World Compares To Earlier Work.

There will undoubtedly be comparisons to Acid Bath and Deadboy and the Elephantmen. It's to be expected because Riggs’ rich voice was the heart of those bands. If Jim Morrison played without The Doors, the same would happen. (Morrison is an influence on Riggs.)

On his own, Riggs growls and wails his way through a haunting variety of tunes. All of them are dark, often dirge-like, and always magical. His guitar is raw, ragged, and gritty, providing a nice bed for his vocals. Here's what it sounded like in Atlanta.


The CD is heavy with despair, and therefore not the best choice for the chronically depressed. But Riggs still manages to pull in other influences, even country. Standouts include the title song, Sleeping With the Witch, I Hear Satan, and especially See You All In Hell, which he has described as a “go to sleep” kind of ending song. Indeed.

After the breakup of Deadboy and the Elephantmen, Diggs tried to explain it in an interview with Scott Semegran. Semegran mentioned the dark tone and asked what inspired it.

"I'm not really sure but it's some natural leaning towards the shadows that I don't truly understand," Riggs said. "I do feel depression at times like anybody... I don't know. I think I'm just a gallows bird. Or possibly, I just have a morbid sense of humor."

Say Goodnight To the World by Dax Riggs Gives Us A Jolt At 6.6 On The Liquid Hip Richter Scale.

Riggs is touring in random places throughout the country in support of the CD. If you like what you hear, you might want to give a listen to If This Is Hell Then I’m Lucky by Riggs or We Are Night Sky by Deadboy and the Elephantmen.

Say Goodnight To the World is available on iTunes. And it's also available on Amazon.