HIGH ON FIRE — Death Is This Communion (review)

HIGH ON FIRE — Death Is This Communion album cover Album · 2007 · Stoner Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
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 There´s been a lineup change since Blessed Black Wings (2005) as bassist Joe Preston has been replaced by Jeff Matz.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.
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