Dax David Riggs (born October 15, 1973) is an American singer, songwriter and musician who was born in Evansville, Indiana. He is best known as the vocalist and lyricist for the influential sludge metal band Acid Bath, as well as for his work with Agents of Oblivion, Deadboy & the Elephantmen and as a solo artist.
Early Life
Riggs was born in Evansville and spent part of his childhood in the city, living with his mother following his parents’ divorce.
As he approached his teenage years, Riggs moved to Houma, Louisiana, to live with his father. It was in Louisiana that he became heavily involved in music and the underground metal scene.
Acid Bath
In the early 1990s, Riggs became the lead singer of Acid Bath, a Louisiana band whose music combined elements of sludge metal, doom, punk, blues and Southern rock.
The group released two studio albums: When the Kite String Pops in 1994 and Paegan Terrorism Tactics in 1996.
Although Acid Bath never achieved major mainstream commercial success, the band developed a large cult following and eventually became regarded as one of the most influential groups associated with Southern sludge metal.
Acid Bath ended following the 1997 death of bassist Audie Pitre and his parents in an automobile accident.
Later Bands and Solo Career
Following Acid Bath, Riggs continued experimenting with darker forms of rock, blues and folk music.
He formed Agents of Oblivion, which released a self-titled album in 2000, and later became the leader of Deadboy & the Elephantmen.
Deadboy & the Elephantmen expanded Riggs’ audience with a sound that blended garage rock, blues, folk and alternative music.
Riggs eventually began recording under his own name. His solo albums included We Sing of Only Blood or Love in 2007 and Say Goodnight to the World in 2010.
His music became increasingly difficult to categorize, mixing Southern Gothic imagery with blues, folk, doom metal and alternative rock.
Return to Music
After a lengthy period without releasing a new solo studio album, Riggs returned with 7 Songs for Spiders on January 24, 2025.
The seven-song album was his first new solo record in approximately 15 years and continued his mixture of dark folk, blues, rock and metal influences.
Songs on the album include “Deceiver,” “Sunshine Felt the Darkness Smile,” “Even the Stars Fall,” “Blues for You Know Who,” “Ain’t That Darkness,” “Pagan Moon” and “Graveyard Soul.”
Acid Bath Reunion
Riggs also returned to Acid Bath decades after the band’s original breakup.
In 2024, a reunion lineup featuring Riggs and fellow original members Sammy Duet and Mike Sanchez was announced, with the band returning to live performances in 2025.
The reunion marked the first Acid Bath performances in nearly three decades and renewed attention on the band’s influential catalog.
Legacy
Although most closely associated with the Louisiana music scene, Dax Riggs was born in Evansville and spent part of his childhood in the city before moving south.
Over a career beginning in the early 1990s, Riggs has developed a devoted following through Acid Bath, Agents of Oblivion, Deadboy & the Elephantmen and his solo recordings.
His distinctive voice, dark songwriting and unusual combination of metal, blues, folk and Southern Gothic music have made him a cult figure in American underground rock.