Studio album number 5 and with the previous 2 releases establishing HOF as a pretty damn fine band, and one thing fans of this group will come to expect is a large slab of “heavy” with an even larger slab of “metal”. You have that in one here. From the opening AC/DC (Thunderstruck) sound-a-like riff to the bone-crushing stance of the remainder of the epic 8-minute plus opener ‘Snakes for the Divine’, you will have a requirement to gather your senses and pick up your jaw of the floor. This is much better than earlier material and a whole new dimension away from the Sleep material Matt Pike was associated with previous to this band. Vocally, there is a rasp and metal presence without the urgency of trying too hard; you just know this will rule on stage.
When the doomier elements get going, especially throughout the 6-minute section of ‘How Dark We Pray’ it reminds me of our very own Centurions Ghost in places alongside ‘Fire Flood and Plague’, whilst the metal riffs and solos quickly inspire some The Gates of Slumber heritage for me. But there is no denying the High On Fire’s style by way of a low-end guitar tone. Production-wise, the bass and drums are also audible in the mix, but it’s that guitar tone that encapsulates you initially and keeps a hold of your senses throughout the album. The sound of ‘Ghost Neck’ is very reminiscent of modern era Slayer of all things; very similar indeed, much can be said for using the same producer and when it’s not doing the Slayer thing musically, there is a big nod to Motorhead. This album is full of long inspirational epic tracks that are more doomier and shorter, more to the point metal tracks all arranged in such a way that you cannot fail not to want to spin this album over and over again. ‘Holy Flames of the Fire’ sends you into a world of your own; it’s crushing and tops off the album perfectly. What an experience this has been.
I like this album, like it a lot; this is unrivalled, brutal stoner/doom-laden, true heavy metal and a credible purchase for any self-respecting “metal” fan.
http://highonfire.net/
http://www.myspace.com/highonfire
