High On Fire

Matt Pike proves himself a true auteur of all that is heavy with Blessed Black Wings -- if the first druid metal minute of "To Cross the Bridge" doesn't prove that, then the thrumming, volcanic pillaging that ensues should do the trick. This is heavy metal made by a man who rarely wears a shirt, and he plays that way. Just the beginnings of these songs are better than most albums. Other over-the-top statements that can be made here are that the guitar solos all rule, the vocals are bloodthirstily monumental, you can't play it loud enough and you can't play it loud enough.

The winged ghoul on the cover looks like he's flown in from a Dio LP, but don't be fooled.
Oakland, California's High on Fire dish out low-frequency terror that turns your innards to
black tar. The usual power-trio comparisons apply: Motorhead and Blue Cheer, with a shot
of Slipknot in guitarist Matt Pike's dark-lord vocals. There is also an avenging modernism in
Pike's skittery, harmonized soloing and the way he, bassist Joe Preston and dru... More >