Vitacit is a Czech hard rock/heavy metal band founded in Roztoky U Prahy, a town within the Prague district, in 1973.

History

Early years: 1973–1985

The formation of Vitacit began in 1973, under the name Smetiště, in Roztoky U Prahy. The founding members were Karel Adam on drums, Jiří Voldřich on bass, and Jiří Kadlec on guitar and vocals. The name Smetiště, meaning "junkyard", was unpopular, and the band eventually picked Vitacit, a popular brand of drink crystals, instead. During these early years, Vitacit saw limited success.

Halcyon days: 1985–1991

The band underwent a number of lineup changes since their formation, and in 1985, they were joined by vocalist Ladislav Křížek ( Kreyson,

Citron The citron (''Citrus medica''), historically cedrate, is a large fragrant citrus fruit with a thick Peel (fruit), rind. It is said to resemble a 'huge, rough lemon'. It is one of the Citrus taxonomy#Citrons, original citrus fruits from which al ...

) and guitarist

Miloš "Dodo" Doležal Miloš "Dodo" Doležal (born 12 August 1966) is a Czech guitarist, composer, singer, and producer who has released a number of solo albums since 1991. He gained fame in the late 1980s as the frontman of the heavy metal band Vitacit. He has also ...

. The duo led the band during the height of its popularity, co-writing some of its biggest hits. Křížek left in 1987, having only released the bootlegged live album ''Poslední Barča'' with the group. After the singer's departure, Doležal became the new frontman, taking over on vocal duties in addition to handling guitars. He helped record the debut Vitacit album, ''Vzhůru přes oceán'', in 1990, before moving to the United States a year later, thus leaving the band without a vocalist and lead guitarist.

Doldrums and breakups: 1992–1998

In 1992, Vitacit recorded their second album, ''Máte se hnout''. Miloš Doležal returned in 1994 and the band recorded a new album, ''Navostro'', the following year. They also opened for

Iron Maiden Iron Maiden are an English Heavy metal music, heavy metal band formed in Leyton, East London, in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris (musician), Steve Harris. Although fluid in the early years of the band, the line-up for most ...

during their October 1995 Prague concert, part of the band's X Factour with Blaze Bayley. 1996 saw the release of another album, titled ''Zaživa mrtví'', which was recorded at Doležal's studio Hacienda in

Žirovnice Žirovnice (; ) is a town in Pelhřimov District in the Vysočina Region of the Czech Republic. It has about 3,200 inhabitants. Administrative division Žirovnice consists of six municipal parts (in brackets population according to the 2021 census ...

. The same year, Vitacit contributed a cover of

Metallica Metallica is an American heavy metal band. It was formed in Los Angeles in 1981 by vocalist and guitarist James Hetfield and drummer Lars Ulrich, and has been based in San Francisco for most of its career. The band's fast tempos, instrume ...

's "Fight Fire with Fire" to the tribute album ''10 Years After...A Tribute to Cliff Burton''. In 1997, the group opened for

Alice Cooper Vincent Damon Furnier (born February 4, 1948), known by his stage name Alice Cooper, is an American rock singer and songwriter whose career spans sixty years. With a raspy voice and a stage show that features numerous props and stage illusion ...

in the Czech Republic, and the following year, they disbanded.

Old friends return: 2009–present

In 2009, Ladislav Křížek brought Vitacit back together. He left again in 2015, however, returning to the band

, who had drawn him away from Vitacit once before, in 1987. In 2012, vocalist Dan Horyna, who had been active with the band from 1978 to 1985, rejoined the project. Fany Stehlík, another vocalist, who sang on the band's 1992 effort ''Máte se hnout'', also returned. As of 2021, Vitacit is composed of Horyna and Stehlík, who share vocal duties; Honza Bouška and Petr Eda Kocour, both on guitar; Luděk Adámek on bass; and Honza Nezval on drums.

Band members

Current * Luděk Adámek – bass * Honza Bouška – guitar * Petr Eda Kocour – guitar * Dan Horyna – vocals * Fany Stehlík – vocals * Honza Nezval – drums Past * Karel Adam – drums * Jiří Voldřich – bass * Jiří Kadlec – guitar, vocals * Ladislav Křížek – vocals *

– guitar, vocals * Radek "Reddy" Kroc – guitar

Discography

Studio albums * ''Vzhůru přes oceán'' (1990) * ''Máte se hnout'' (1992) * ''Navostro'' (1995) * ''Zaživa mrtví'' (1996)

References

External links

* {{Authority control Czech heavy metal musical groups Czech rock music groups Musical groups from Prague Musical groups established in 1973 1973 establishments in Czechoslovakia