When I posted “Frost Hammer” from High On Fire’s stadium-sized (and divisive because of it) Snakes For The Divine in January, I mentioned “Bastard Samurai,” not just because of its awesome name. As might be expected of Matt Pike & Co., they back up the title musically: It’s one of Snake‘s most gnarled, dynamic, anthemic moments. One that comes off great live. Right, even if you’re still chaffing at Greg Fidelman’s production, it’s hard denying the increased power of the their recent live shows (this from someone who first saw them live close to ten years ago, kept going back). Speaking of … their current tour ends this weekend in their Oakland hometown, where they’re merging with the Mastodon/Baroness tour for a night being billed as “The Missing Link.” More info on that while you dig into “Bastard”‘s multiple explosions.
Snakes For The Divine is out via E1 Music. On 5/8 folks in the Oakland area can catch a big finale at the Fox Theatre with Mastodon, Baroness, Between The Buried And Me, Valient Thorr, and their usual Snakes cohorts (Bison B.C., Priestess), etc. After that, they head to Europe for a few dates with Metallica. The flyer for the 8th:
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I’ve been listening to this nonstop for 2 weeks straight and love it. Granted this is the first HoF record I’ve heard so I don’t get the whole “production” argument. It fucking rocks so isn’t that just good enough?
Also I now wish I lived in Oakland, thanks.
Huge vocals, crazy guitar work. It all sounds like it was recorded on a Tascam 4-track tape recorder, but that’s how I prefer my heavy metal.
Ive been listening to high on fire since surrounded by theives and let me tell you, the production” is a very weak argument. I personally like there “new” sound and love this record and for one, these guys deserve a bigger audience. For them to open up for mastadon-a band that met at a high on fire show, is a travesty and sort of a slap in the face. Matt Pike is a man of the people- when I saw them on this tour in Columbus he was walking around talking to every person and taking pictures. compare that with these other bands that all of a sudden get to big to talk to little old us.
P.S- crack the sky sucked. It was the first album I traded in.
agreed, especially re: that p.s.
Its so Neurosis-biting Scott Kelly should be go check his mail-box for a royalty check
It’s not really a Premiere if the album has been out since February.
semantics