California's stoner/sludge metal power trio High On Fire have now been tearing up the scene for 20 years, and with their latest release for Entertainment One, Electric Messiah, they show no signs of slowing down one bit. Matt Pike (Guitars, Vocals), Des Kensel (drums, and Jeff Matz (bass) have thrown together nine tracks full of piss & vinegar here, each one chock full of fat bottom end and Pike's heavy riffs & snarling vocals. A few tracks clock in at hefty lengths, such as the pulverizing "Steps of the Ziggurat/House of Enlil" and "Sanctioned Annihilation", allowing for plenty of bashing from the three members, but there's also some speedier, groove laden fare, like "God of the Godless", the near punk frenzy of "Freebooter", or for a different tempo, the doomy "Drowning Dog". The latter features some stellar, and quite melodic, guitar soloing courtesy of Pike, who really is a fine player, whether he is delivering massive riffs or unleashing a torrent of white hot leads.
In a career of solid album releases, High On Fire have once again given us another one. Electric Messiah might not be breaking new ground for the band or genre, but it doesn't need to.
Track Listing
- Spewn from the Earth 3:59
- Steps of the Ziggurat/House of Enlil 9:21
- Electric Messiah 4:16
- Sanctioned Annihilation 10:29
- The Pallid Mask 5:16
- God of the Godless 5:20
- Freebooter 4:58
- The Witch and the Christ 6:33
- Drowning Dog 6:43
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