UMUR "Electric Messiah" is the 8th full-length studio album by US heavy metal act High on Fire. The album was released through eOne Music in October 2018. It´s the successor to "Luminiferous" from 2015 and features the same trio lineup who recorded the predecessor. Kurt Ballou (Converge) was once again involved in the recording process (like he was on the last couple of albums).

And consistent is probably also the first word which comes to mind while listening to "Electric Messiah", which features a similar heavy metal/stoner metal sound to the sound found on the last couple of releases. The sound production is also relatively similar sounding, and it seems High on Fire have locked into a groove these days, and there isn´t much development of sound or style anymore. This is more or less how they´ve sounded since "Death Is This Communion" from 2007. To my ears the choice of Ballou on this album and the two preceding it, has meant that High on Fire´s music has not shone like it could have (and did on "Death Is This Communion (2007)" and on "Snakes for the Divine (2009)"). He is a skilled producer, but his production style just doesn´t suit High on Fire´s music that well. Why for example place Matt Pike´s vocals so low in the mix or drench them in effects, when you´re dealing with such a raw and powerful vocalist, who can easily hold his own. Put him up front so we can marvel in his caustic aggression and commanding delivery...oh well that was not to be.

The rather flat an undymanic sound production can´t completely hide that there are some quality material featured on "Electric Messiah" and as usual we´re treated to a combination of heavy mid-paced tracks with a stoner metal edge and faster more aggressive tracks. Think of a mix of Black Sabbath, Motörhead, and early Slayer, and you´re not too far off. A few more memorable riffs and hook laden vocal phrases would have been nice, and it becomes even more obvious how much more great the music could have been with a little more melody, when you hear Pike sing just slightly more melodic on a track like album closer "Drowning Dog", and as a result that track becomes an album highlight.

I know I sound a little negative, and probably also a little more negative than intended, but I generally hold High on Fire and especially Pike in high regard, and high expectations warrants high quality delivery, and "Electric Messiah" to me is only a good quality album. It doesn´t reach the sky like I expect when I listen to a High on Fire album. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is still deserved, but I expect the band to make some changes on the next release before rigor mortis begins to set in (yeah that´s probably a bit too dramatic...let´s just use the word stagnation).

UMUR "Luminiferous" is the 7th full-length studio album by US sludge/stoner metal act High on Fire. The album was released through eOne Music in June 2015. It´s the successor to "De Vermis Mysteriis" from 2012. Like it´s predecessor "Luminiferous" was also produced by Kurt Ballou (Converge). The three years between albums have been spend touring, but lead vocalist/guitarist Matt Pike also had a break from band activities while he was receiving treatment for alcoholism.

Stylistically the music on "Luminiferous" features few surprises if you´re already familiar with High on Fire´s brand of metal. It´s a combination of stoner doom, sludge, heavy metal, and thrash metal and cannot really be tagged any of those without stepping on some genre elitist toes. What has always been special about High on Fire is not so much their music though, but the way they perform it. They know exactly how to deliver their brick heavy riffs and beats (and occasionally faster ones too) with conviction and burning passion. Matt Pike´s raw voice and rough vocal delivery is also a trademark. And thankfully nothing has changed on "Luminiferous" in that regard.

The material on the 9 track, 53:44 minutes long album is generally well written, although I could have wished for more memorable hooks. Just a bit more melody in the vocal department could have made that happen. When Matt Pike sings a bit more melodic than usual on tracks like "The Falconist" and "The Cave" you can really hear how much that brings to the music. On the other hand it´s also nice to hear him yell and scream his way through faster-paced and aggressive tracks like "The Black Plot", the title track, and "Slave the Hive". The latter is one of the more thrash metal oriented tracks on the album.

"Luminiferous" is well produced, although I personally don´t think Kurt Ballou is the right producer for High on Fire (and that´s nothing personal against Ballou, who is a great producer and has produced other artists with great success). I think their music would prosper from a more organic toned sound production, than the productions which grace both this album and it´s predecessor. That´s of course an aquired taste though, and objectively the sound production is professional and suits the music well.

High on Fire is a remarkably consistent act and they´ve never released a sub par album. That trend continues on "Luminiferous", which is another quality release to the collection. Personally I could have wished for a bit more development of sound between albums, but the band give their fans what they want and it´s hard to argue against that. A 3.5 star (70%) rating is deserved.

UMUR "De Vermis Mysteriis" is the 6th full-length studio album by US stoner metal act High on Fire. The album was released through E1 Music in April 2012.

The music on the album continue down the usual aggressive stoner metal path and if you enjoyed albums like "Death Is This Communion (2007)" and "Snakes for the Divine (2010)", you pretty much know what you´re in for here. Aggressive stoner doomy guitar riffing, Matt Pike´s raw vocal delivery and an energetic rythm section that drive the music forward. A track like "King of Days" is a bit different though, as it´s more leaned back, melodic stoner metal with some nice harmony guitar sections. Other than that the album varies between mid-paced heavy tracks and faster paced and more aggressive ones.

The album is produced by Converge guitarist Kurt Ballou, who is usually a very skilled producer. I can´t say I´m fully satisfied with the sound production on "De Vermis Mysteriis" though. As such the instrumental part of the album is well produced, but why Matt Pike´s otherwise enjoyable and raw vocals are placed so low in the mix is beyond me. He is almost reduced to mumbling volume at times. An odd production choice if you ask me. With a vocalist this strong, I´d always put him high in the mix.

"De Vermis Mysteriis" is upon conclusion another strong release by High on Fire. Personally I don´t rate it as high as it´s two direct predecessors, which is mostly due to how the vocals are placed in the mix, but it´s probably an aquired taste and I´d still say that a 3.5 - 4 star (75%) rating is deserved.

Time Signature Master of the sludge...

Genre: stoner / sludge

Heralded by many as the masters of stoner doom metal, High on Fire released The Art of Self Defense back in 2000. Now, the album sees the light of day again, being reissued in a completely remastered format and packed with goodies in the forms of a handful of bonus tracks in addition to the original six tracks and a fat booklet.

The tracks on the album are characterized by heavy beats, sludgy grooves and a bog fat bass which almost dominates the picture completely. Drawing more on the stoner-oriented aspect of the monster that is doom metal as created by Black Sabbath, the album is more darkly psychedelic than truly doom-laden. But there is no mistaking that those grooves and beats are crushingly compelling. From the stomping rhythm of 'Baghdad' over the heavy beats of '10,000 Years' and 'Master of the Fists' and the aggressive drive of of 'Blood from Zion' and 'Last', this album should definitely rock the world of any sludge-head who hasn't hear it yet.

The bonus tracks consist mainly of demo versions of some of the album's songs, but an interesting treat is the inclusion of a cover version of the Celtic Frost classic, 'The Usurper', which – although quite faithful – makes the song sound sludgier than ever.

Heavy and groovy, this album should appeal to fans of stoner metal and sludge metal, and if you have not yet heard this album, then you should strike now that it has been reissued and purchase the enhanced version.

(review originally posted at seaoftranquility.org)

Kingcrimsonprog Death Is This Communion by High On Fire was released on Relapse Records in 2007 and was the band’s fourth full length studio album.

Musically, the album revolves around either long mid tempo tracks with big stoner metal riffs and lots of repetition or faster, rumbling low end centric rockers with an almost Motorhead feel, with many of the tracks blending into each other at the mastering stage and most of which featuring absolutely excellent lead guitar work and frantic double-kicks.

The album is not devoid of variety however, one only has to listen to the keys/strings featuring, guitar solo filled ‘DII’ or the amazing eastern influenced instrumental ‘Khandrad’s Wall’ to see that High On Fire have many strings to their bow and really know what they are doing musically.

Album highlights include the aforementioned two tracks as well as the groovy ‘Turk,’ the album closer ‘Return To Nod’ and the excellent Title Track which has one of the best riffs on the entire album as well as possibly the band’s best guitar solo to date.

If you are unfamiliar with the band it may take a few listens to get into, and doesn’t give an amazing first impression unless you sit down and give it your full attention, especially since the first track is arguably the weakest. Once you overcome this initial barrier however, you will discover a masterfully crafted and wholly enjoyable listening experience.

Singer and primary guitarist Matt Pike’s voice has really developed since his days with pioneering seminal stoner band Sleep. His vocal range has expanded greatly and on Death Is This Communion it is incredibly strong, as well as now featuring a lot more light and shade and even occasional melody.

Overall, High On Fire no longer have to live in Sleep’s cult shadow and are an important and respected band in their own right. Death Is This Communion is a strong and enjoyable album that fans of the band should pick up and fans of the genre should definitely give a try.