Welcome back toCrate Digging, a recurring column that finds artists exploring music history in search of albums everyone should hear. In this edition, Acid Bath frontman Dax Riggs digs up 10 essential heavy albums he thinks every fan should own.

One of 2025’s most exciting band reunions isAcid Bath, who are playing their first shows in 28 years. The influential Louisiana sludge-metal actkicked off the reunion with a pair of concerts in New Orleans in April, and has been playing festival dates and headlining gigs, with more concerts scheduled through early 2026.

Get Acid Bath Tickets Here

Following August headlining shows in Minneapolis, Baltimore, and Los Angeles, Acid Bath are set to play the fall US festivals Louder Than Life, Levitation, and Aftershock, with additional North American dates scheduled through the end of the year, plus a March 21st, 2026, concert at The Caverns in Tennessee. Tickets to their upcoming shows areavailable here.

In the midst of their reunion tour, Acid Bath frontman Dax Riggs took some time to check in withHeavy Consequence to offer up a list of 10 essential heavy albums he thinks every fan should own. Of course, Acid Bath put out a couple of essential albums themselves in the 1990s, includingWhen the Kite String Pops, which recently landed on our list of the75 Best Metal Albums of All Time.

Riggs’ picks offer a broad and eclectic definition of “heavy,” ranging from proto-metal to punk to gospel, and puts the spotlight on some artists that likely fall outside the average music fan’s radar.

Take a look at Dax Riggs’ Crate Digging list below, and be sure to catch Acid Bath in concert when they hit a venue near you.

Dead Moon –In the Graveyard (1988)

I just think if you’re into heavy music, this is something that’s very important. It’s just like super hard rock, punk-tinged, subversive darkness. It’s just wonderful… on the garage rock end of things. I find that if you are into heavy music, you should be checking out Dead Moon, for sure. They kind of throw back to like The 13th Floor Elevators, psychedelic music of the ’60s, because [Dead Moon singer] Fred Cole was in The Lollipop Shoppe, and had awesome songs back then, and he was just a survivalist in the music industry. He just always created his own world to live in.

StreamIn the Graveyard on Apple Music | Buy onCD/Vinyl

Amon Düül II –Phallus Dei (1969)

This is just like super heavy. It’s almost sludgy, like early Pink Floyd, but totally bonkers. So, I feel like it’s very important to melt your mind with this record. And it would help you create or just take in those vibrations out there better.

StreamPhallus Dei on Apple Music | Buy onCD/Vinyl