High on Fire - Snakes for the Divine [2010]
Posted by Captain Beyond Zen on Sunday, February 28, 2010
The one who had expected revolutionary innovations from High on Fire's new album will now be absolutely disappointed. There are no experiments on 'Snakes for the Divine' and High on Fire stay a 100% true to their style. Matt Pike sings with a throaty sound and bawls as usual in best Lemmy-fashion through the impulsive songs and he and his comrades-in-arms bushwhack through the songs like a chain saw. Who didn't like High on Fire before, will also not be converted by this crusade. High on Fire have further refined their style and have improved every detail. The die-hard fans get the full service and are not disappointed here. By the awesome cover (by artist Arik Moonhawk Roper') the one or other false expectations might have been raised for possible slower and more epic songs in the style of the Kalas album, which Matt Pike recorded in 2006. However, these epic moments are rare (e.g. the slow song "Bastard Samurai") and doesn't disturb in any manner the galloping groove of the songs and the flow of the album. The phat production of Greg Fidelman contributes its part to the fantastic overall impression of the album. 'Snakes for the Divine' is more grim and harder than its predecessor and shows High on Fire in top condition. One riff chases the other and they are hardly to be outbid in their ass-kicking punch. Razor-sharp guitar solos and versed percussion parts round off the belly-filling menu tastefully and prevent monotony.
For most fans of this scene 'Snakes for the Divine' is probably the album of the year. Ex-Sleep guitarist Matt Pike obviously knows what his fans want. I cannot join the euphoria around 'Snakes for the Divine' completely though, nevertheless I think it is a slamming album like a mighty road roller with maximum penetrating power. Definitively nothing for the sissies.
Track listing:
01. Snakes for the Divine
02. Frost Hammer
03. Bastard Samurai
04. Ghost Neck
05. The Path
06. Fire, Flood & Plague
07. How Dark We Pray
08. Holy Flames of the Fire Spitter
http://www.myspace.com/highonfire
http://highonfire.net/
