A couple years ago when reviewing High On Fire’s fourth full-length Death is This Communion, an album that landed at no. 7 on my 2007 year end list, I said something about how Matt Pike, Des Kensel and then new bassist Jeff Matz had managed to top 2002’s Surrounded By Thieves and all that came after it via huge Jack Endino production and all sorts of new details (Eastern tinges, pastoral acoustics, an extended and accumulating drum solo, etc.), but for all these leaps and adds, it was the raw moments that felt best. Hello Snakes For The Divine. The Oakland trio’s taut, muscular fifth album is unrelenting. They don’t bother with interludes. Maybe think of it as Blessed Black Wings with five years experience and stadium-sized production. Pike’s guitar playing is at its speediest and most complex without losing any forward momentum. His cracked-tooth vocals continue to age and deepen like the whiskey he drinks. Kensel and Matz click like guys who’ve recorded a classic album together and hit the road hard. It’s early too early in 2010 to talk lists, but it’s not often something rocks this hard.
The opening title track makes me think of Disfear and Motörhead finding a golden mean and asking Kurt Ballou to layer his trickiest riffs over it. For eight and a half minutes. These eight new anthems (not a dud in the bunch) were recorded in Los Angeles with Greg Fidelman, who produced Slayer’s World Painted Blood and is mixing the Metallica live album. So, right, they went for a mammoth (Mastodon-ian?) sound. As always, the lyrical themes are just as huge: War, floods, plagues, “sacrifice, morbid stories / blood trickles through histories,” disease, sinking in ice, “a woman’s coffin sending shivers up my spine,” “my demons come to play and play they do with guns,” fire spitters, a “Bastard Samurai.” See for yourself on “Frost Hammer,” a song that popped up live a couple of months ago and works perfectly with the chilling winter weather while solemnly nodding to the Swiss greats who share part of its name. The setting: “Dream being thrown down aloft from the icy sky / Careful what to seek for inside the frozen mind / Permaglaze reflects this world distant to the thawed life / Frost clan blows the war horn without a fear or guise.” And note the smeary psychedelic group vocal harmonies that enter the picture the 3:40 mark.
“Winters in veins / Hammers arise / to melt through the ice … Frost Hammer!” Speaking of epic, in case you missed it when I posted it in Haunting The Chapel, here’s the tracklist:
01 “Snakes For The Divine”
02 “Frost Hammer”
03 “Bastard Samurai”
04 “Ghost Neck”
05 “Fire, Flood & Plague”
06 “How Dark We Pray”
07 “Holy Flames Of The Fire Spitter”
08 “Mystery of Helm”
Snakes For The Divine is out 2/23 via E1 Music. Keep watch for tour info at MySpace. Remember, Matt Pike will also be at ATP NY this year with his Sleep cohorts.
Related Stories |
|
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post, reply to, or rate a comment.
Awesome new track. Wow, that was one hell of a listen.
I’m surprised Fidelman can actually do good work, after his botch jobs on the recent Metallica and Slayer albums. Perhaps High on Fire had a better mixing/mastering team that didn’t like hearing records that sounded like treble-y overly loud sludge (ironic, given that HoF is sludgier than the aforementioned).
Pike and the rhythm section really bring it in this song. If the rest of the record is even half this good, we’ve got the best of 2010 here. I don’t think it’s too early to say that, unless we get surprised by new releases from Tool and/or Meshuggah (neither of which I’d say is likely); the only competition at this point is Fear Factory. My money’s on High on Fire though.
Not sure about Tool. It would be nice, but I’m sure Maynard just wants to dick around with that Puscifer nonsense and sell wine, but Meshuggah is scheduled for a new album this year, and that’s in ADDITION to the live album.
fuck u ppl tool and these other bands you are talking about have nothing to do with HoF except that now douchebags like u guys listen to all of this. but whatever. rock on.
yeah, man, i’m not seeing the point in comparisons…and besides, you’re right…wtf does tool, and others??? have to do w/ HOF?? it’s fuckin matt pike and H O F
I agree with a majority of people that are saying this song sounds over-produced. Des’s drums are barely noticeable as opposed to the pounding sounds of the past. What on earth happened to the sick and harsh vocals of Matt Pike. He sounds like the boss from Jersey. I am not familiar with the producer on this album but it sounds like he really screwed the pooch here.
Awesome track! Its definitely High on Fire, but with some new sounds for the band, a bit like Blessed Black Wings with some harmonizing thrown in. Can’t wait to see if they tour later in the year.
oh man, can’t wait for this one! also new Immolation and Autechre albums in March, woooooo
I like how the cover looks like it should be a Molly Hatchet album
Lol, Fear Factory is NOT competition for High on Fire
Real Fuckin’ Metal.
This sounds like absolute shit!!! Seriously! what happened guys????
Stop the madness..
Too much of HOF
in the most Clean tones,
this sound is sterilized
this will be your ( March or Die)
This will be on any discerning metal heads top 10 this year, utterly awesome.
this is friggin awesome – I am soooo spewing i missed HOF is Oz – they should have HEADLINES that shit with LOG etc.. New HOF though, that means spending money on new merch no doubt :p
I agree with Johnny:
I have too be honest, I am a long time fan of this band since I first discovered the first record and saw them live in a tiny bar. Although I listen mainly to punk and “real” garage punk rock and roll ala Billy Childish, The Stooges, the Oblivians, The Gories, etc, no white strokes corporate shit, any ways, out of sheer loyalty and due the lack of cool metal out there, I will buy this record like I did with their past, but it sounds way too overtly produced. Perhaps, my ear that is attracted to out of tune, lo-fi, raw scuzz rock and roll, this song’s polished glean, (like the last 2 records, being honest here) makes me pine for that first fuzzed out HOF Art of Self Defense record, remember Baghdad? Blood of Zion?
I hope the rest of the songs are heavier.
Hey….you guys must all be in really fuckin awesome bands if you think you can pass judgement on this, or any other band of this caliber….why can’t you dicks just shut your mouths and let people write the music they want to?? I’m sure Matt Pike, James Hetfield and Kerry King care what you guys think!
Man, I think this sounds fuckin killer! As far as leaps and bounds tho, it really doesn’t sound too far removed from their last album’s first song. Which, for me, is great, cuz it kicks butt in a nice heavy metal fashion. Hey, you all need to listen to Priestess’ new album. Oh my god its a home run. Totally metal and they got really progressive. Fucking great metal riffs with that dudes awesome vocals soaring all over it. Incredible.
Chris is right… the new Priestess is bad-ass. Worth repeated listening, often. And yes, this does sound “over” produced… but it is a garbage digital track. Wait for the CD. And even if that sounds “over” produced… F it… this is HOF here… fast, mean and awesome…. as always.
THIS DOES NOT SOUND LIKE HIGH ON FIRE….AT ALL. THE DRUMS SOUND WEAK …NOT THUNDEROUS LIKE YOURE EXPECTING FROM DES KENSEL. I THINK THEY MIGHT OF RAN INTO TROUBLE LETTING FIDELMAN PRODUCE THIS. I HOPE THE OTHER TRACKS DONT TAKE AFTER THIS. PRAY
There is Greg Fidelman, slay him!
production is pretty good. which is definitely a bad thing with high on fire. i’m sure it’ll all come together live though.
This is terrible, Especially when comparing to the awesomeness of SBT and Defense. Their last album was as close to unbearable as I could stand. This is not good for them, or for metal.
Don’t like the production at all. Drums are so dry and flat–no tone–and vocals are fuck’n digitally squeegeed and inflated or something.
Great band; shitty recording choice, here.
Admittedly, this seems a bit “too produced”. I certainly would have preferred a far more hefty drum tone than what’s on here. But don’t decry HIGH ON FIRE from wanting to progress or ‘move forward’ creatively, even if it means a cleaner sound from the likes of Greg Fidelman.
Aw man…. Can’t friggin wait for this album…
Great track, though i’m hoping the other tracks slay way harder!
i think it sounds good, but it’s just a really horribly compressed MP3. i’m thinking the drums are going to be a little bigger than what we hear here… vocals seem more upfront this time around too.
where’s billy anderson?
Fidelman fucked up this band. this doesnt have anypower or punch at all. dont get me wrong i love high on fire but compare to hung drawn and quartered, and theres no question on whats better. this was just over produced, fidelman should just stop fuckin up records for good bands like slayer and high on fire. nuff said
Honestly, I was worried about Greg Fidelman producing, because World Painted Blood is pretty damn embarassing and Death Magnetic’s production is infamously retarded, but aside from the drums lacking a bit of power this song totally rules! I think Snakes For The Divine is going to be great! I don’t think HoF can do anything wrong.
This track crushes!
Definitly a different sound for them and will probably sound better through a good stereo system .
No it doesn’t sound like SBT and that’s a good thing.
Man oh man,whatta ass kicking from the get-go!!In your face and thick as a brick,the sound is HUGE with the first noticeable thing honed being Pike’s vox…this lp’s sure to establish HIGH ON FIRE as a top contender in the rise of metal’s undeniable existence as an art form.All Hail H.o.F.!
I’d like it a little more if it did sound a little crustier. Turn up the snare and the distortion please Mr. Engineer… I still listen to Blessed Black Wings all the time so I’ll be full up on my High on Fire. BURN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I gotta say it, and damn it hurts to say it, but if the balance of this album sounds like this, this bright, bright, bright over-produced sham, I am going to be disappointed. High On Fire is not stadium rock, and it is not meant to be produced as such. All of the members are beasts in their own right, and I take nothing away from that, but this just doesn’t have the sludge of Surrounded By Thieves, nor the dozer of Blessed Black Wings. Of COURSE I am buying the album, of COURSE I am going to the shows. Matt and Des and Jeff make my PBR taste better, but at first blush the production just ain’t bearing that out for home listening.
most anticipated release of ‘10. can’t wait for a tour announcement. the set at bonnaroo was one of the most energetic shows i’ve been to this year
Aw, come on guys. HoF have long since moved away from the stoner doom of the first two. They’re letting their Celtic Frost boners shine through, and although I prefer the first two, I’m completely for the new sound.
I’ve been a HOF fan since the beginning and this song sounds like they’ve stepped up another gear…totally inspiring stuff.
Fear factory have absolutely nothing on these guys…NOTHING.
In My eyes HOF are in the top 5 metal bands in the world right now
WOW, I AM DISAPPOINTED
I’ve been a huge fan of HOF for six years now, and am somewhat surprised that they decided to work with Fidelman, because he’s kind of a wanker. They should have stayed with Endino!!! I will still buy this and enjoy it I’m sure, but there is an apparent lack of raw power exposed (muted) in this track, which HOF undoubtedley possess! Hails to Pike, Kensel, and Matz anyway!!!
I LOVE this! I’ve been a fan of this band from it’s inception and have watched these guys (mainly Pike) grow as an artist over the years. A band does not have to sound like it’s first album on every release. They do not have to “stick to their roots”. These guys much like their friends Mastodon have been slowly changing their music in a pace that keeps the faithful well,faithful. I’ve been waiting to hear something off of this for a while now and I have been skeptical because Fidelman was overseeing this record. Fidelman, from what I can tell in this one track has proved me wrong and once again the boys in HOF have given my stoner metal heart something to smile about. Oh, and once again artists Arik Roper has delivered an album cover straight from the stoner metal Godz. Too early to tell but Snakes For the Divine will probably be my favorite “heavy” album of the year.
I like your take on this track, well put man. Cheers.
I’m really excited for this album b/c it’s F’n HoF, but it’s nonsensical and frankly stupid to talk about production that strips the power and tonality of Kensel’s drumming and sets the vox above everything like a Greenday radio single as “artistic progression.” Seriously. Blessed Black Wings was impeccably recorded, with no corners cut, and it sounds AMAZING.
Slick, glossy production that actually diminishes the raw power of the band has nothing to do with “moving forward.”
Fuck all you metal cred assholes. This song is killer. High on Fire sounds better with cleaner production. It’s been incredible watching this band grow and improve over the years, and they’re now one of the best metal bands out there. You’re all just a bunch of whiny, scenester, hipster douchebags with beards, long hair and tattoos.
Death to False Metal, and Death to dorky hipster-douche clowns hahaha!!!!
cant believe there’s no FART HAMMER jokes yet
The more I listen to this, the more I fucking love it!!!! Can’t wait for a headlining tour!
This song is totally killer. But the drum sound is weak. It’s possible to hold both these thoughts in your head at the same time without being a metal cred hipster.
How is the drum sound weak? It sounds really sharp and crisp, and Des’s playing is more focused then ever. The issue I have is with all these metalheads who can’t accept the growing appeal of High on Fire. People like them because they’re good, not because they’ve watered their sound.
By weak, I mean the drum sound is all attack: super dry with no resonance. Nearly 180 degrees from Albini’s work on Blessed Black Wings, ya know. Different strokes for different folks, I guess. I like tone and resonance. Doesn’t mean I’m a fixed-gear riding hipster douchebag; just means I care about fucking sound.
Anyway, I’m seeing ‘em in less than a month in a small venue: GAWDAMN STOKED!!
I agree…does sounds a little over produced and the drums sound a little weak. Dez is a monster of a drummer and deserves a bigger sound.
However it is HOF and anything they do is freakin’ awesome in my book. Can’t wait to see them on tour!
man what a dissapointment that their sound quality has improved and is accessible now instead of exhausting i liked it better when you could’nt hear any of the instruments vocals or notes these guys have really SOLD OUT if they actually want anyone to be able to discern their playing the song’s dynamics etc it was better when it was a big fuzzy loud fart that only the true idiot could love now reglar ol folks can actually hear how awesome they are hail satan
this sounds like everything else they do. it’s perfunctory:
the double kick intro with “floor tom rolls” riff from :01 to :17,
and THEN, WOW, the pseudo “surprise” time change and main riff!
never saw that comin, did ya?!
yawn.
the drums sounds like pancakes. or fart cushions going off.
then ANOTHER “surprise” time change at 3:03.
whoa, the dynamics are killing me.
better that than the boring riff that bored the band itself,
thus prompting the time change.
but WHOOOOOOA, NO! we’re BACK IN BIZ at 4:39 with, what else?…wait for it,
the song’s title announced and riff reprised!:
FROST HAMMER! FROST HAMMER! FROST HAMMER! FROST HAMMER!, then
doodle doodle doodle noodle noodle DOODLE DOODLE NOODLE NOODLE HAMMER ON, HAMMER OFF YES!!!
metal “for the sake of it.” sorry lol.
do you like me?
Dude, you’ve *got* to let me get ahold of some of the crushing metal you must be putting out ’cause it sounds like you’ve got it all figured out what *not* to do. Send me a link!
p.s. You’re an idiot.
This is how I reference my dick when chatting up the ladies in the lodge after a hard day on the slope’s.
See with your eyes and listen with your ears…….High on Fire and its preceding root, Sleep, are by far the most significant contribution to Metal as we know it in our Fart Hammer Generation. Despite any production quality and critisism there of, one must go back to the heady Doom/Stoner Rock dayz of the Bottom of the Hill in S.F. Ca., Oakland as well, San Jose, to boot. If any of you above were ever privy to the depth of tone, quality and mastery of organic sound that pounds out of these boyz, you’d understand that your eyes, ears and mouth have no signigicance in the realm of toosing their gift around as if you were worthy of picking it apart. High On Fire is and will always be greater than the sum of any industry and production behind it. whether it be 12th Records, Endino, Fieldman, or Captain Kangaroo……..the finished product still remains. Bigger than you can imagine and handle and Louder than your critisim,. There Exists No other metal band or category of your choosing, that can stand up to High on Fire…..as there is no opposition, which would not survive, regardless. This band is my mana, whether over produced or played through a plastic, baby blue turn table from the 70’s that your brother gave you. you remeber the one you used to play your Benji albums on, or was it Africa Bambata and the Soul Sonic Force…….yeah, I was a breaker, sucka.
Matt Pike is The Relentless Hero that we all need and cannot duplicate..his band mates and gift are a testament to this.
This Man, his torment, and excorsim of it is of the most sublime. Count your blessing the he is holding it all down for us, bringing to mind memories of all metal history to date, with his will and talent wrapped all the way around it……….Thus Saith The One Sent to Love it as much as it loves Us.
Preadventure this…..Can you do what He has done? Have you the capacity to arrange such profound and etherial pieces of art………5 times over? like us, He is entitled to all travail and evlolution in his work……..I will take this opportunity to THANK HIGH ON FIRE for being exactly who they are.
AMEN, BRUTHA! WELL SAID!! THANKS AND PEACE TO YOU AND H O F !!!!!!
The great thing about past HOF records is they all seemed like live recordings. They were all very dirty, cut & dry, and brutal (especially Sourrounded by Thieves). What Steve Albini got out of this trio for Blessed Black Wings was incredible…Jack Encino basically did the same thing on Death is this Communion. I think a stripped down sound is something that we all expect from HOF.
This song seems like a new direction for the overall sound of HOF…Not that it’s a bad thing…just different. I wonder what this record is going to sound like. I like this song but I have to say, I have seen them play it live and it sounded a lot more brutal.
terrible?? HOF? well, ok, whatever, you are entitled to your opinion.
(But you may no longer listen to HOF)
oh, sorry, the above was a reply to josey wales (the outlaw?) from 1/14
I agree with a majority of people that are saying this song sounds over-produced. Des’s drums are barely noticeable as opposed to the pounding sounds of the past. What on earth happened to the sick and harsh vocals of Matt Pike. He sounds like the boss from Jersey. I am not familiar with the producer on this album but it sounds like he really screwed the pooch here.
I hear ya. HoF are to be understood, not compared. There is no comparison. MP is the coolest.
I just listened to it. I gotta say, “where’s the fuzzy crust that has made me love them so much?”. I don’t want to hear “singing” (3:24, though the guitar note shift is cool) in a f*cking HoF song. I want to hear MP telling me how he is going to destroy an ancient something or other while going f*ckin nuts on the Les paul like no other.
i knew it was going to be good! this is the shit!!!! no doubting it… HIGH ON FIRE is badass!!
I think your wrong on MP playing a Les Paul. Ibelieve he plays a 9 string First Act guitar mad especially for MP .
For me looks like a Meat Loaf’s cover
earthless are awesome but these guys need a break they sound fukin real to me .this year you will break tru keep rockin boys