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.

UMUR Death Is This Communion is the 4th full-length studio album by American stoner metal act High on Fire. The album was released in September 2007 by Relapse Records. There´s been a lineup change since Blessed Black Wings (2005) as bassist Joe Preston has been replaced by Jeff Matz.

The style of music on the album is stoner metal mixed with heavy rock/ metal ala Motörhead and a few old school thrash metal elements. Early Black Sabbath is still the main source of inspiration, but as mentioned there´s more than one nod towards Motörhead and early Slayer should be mentioned too. As such that´s no different from the style on the previous album Blessed Black Wings, but again the bar has been raised and Death Is This Communion are the strongest album the band had released up until then. The music is as such pretty simple and formulaic but there´s an irresistible filhty rock´n´roll/ stoner metal groove in the music and the songs are more catchy and memorable than ever. The strong and rather fast-paced opening track Fury Whip sets the standard for most of the album. Fierce energy and lots of groove and thrash metal related riffing. There are also more traditional sounding stoner metal tracks on the album like the 8:35 minute long title track. A really heavy track that one. Generally there is more melody in the vocal lines compared to earlier releases which is probably a trend that will continue as there was already an increased sense for melody on Blessed Black Wings.

The power trio format works wonders when we´re talking High on Fire. They are an earthy and authentic sounding act that I´m sure would kill in a live environment. As usual I have to give a special mention to the caustic vocal delivery by Matt Pike. That man must be "blessed" with a set of black lungs filled with rusty nails. I promise you he means business.

The production is a bit less earthy and more clean than usual but it suits the music perfectly.

I wasn´t exactly blow back in my seat the first time I listened to Death Is This Communion, but I was fully convinced already on my second spin of the album. So I recommend giving the album a few spins before passing judgement. I still think High on Fire can raise the bar even further and there are a few moments of monotoni on the album that I hope the band will work on erasing, but other than that this is a great album and I find it highly recommnedable. A 4 star rating is fully deserved.