Artist: High on Fire
Label: Relapse Records
Release Date: 2/1/05
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Title: Blessed Black Wings Artist: High on Fire Label: Relapse Records Release Date: 2/1/05 |
Judgment Committee Reviews | Rating |
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Abyss's Review:
When I reviewed this band's last album, Surrounded By Thieves I said that this band was solid but monotonous. And they are. I thought their last album was a bunch of cool songs highlighted by a few really killer tracks, which is always a winner in my book. Of course, I also just ended up putting their best songs on assorted mixes and rarely ever went back to the album as a whole. I find it hard to believe that I'll be able to do that with Blessed Black Wings.
"One word review: Crushing." This new album takes the high points from the band's earlier work and uses them as a stepping stone. The high points on the last album would simply only make middle-tier on this one, and that is a beautiful thing. High On Fire could probably still be considered monotonous, but when songwriting is this good, who the fuck cares.
This album is full of sick, dirge-y riffs that provide a heft rarely found in today's music world. The guitars retain the band's trademark mix of fuzz and fury, and the vocals highlight the overall sound with a raspy and almost soulful braying. The whole album comes across as the sonic equivalent of scorched earth policy, a tapestry of black, rust, and ochre. While I used to be critical of this band for dragging their songs out to unnecessary lengths and overusing some of their riffs, I don't see it here. I don't know if they've actually changed their approach, I just know I like sitting back and absorbing it like a big metalhead sponge with scars on his genitals from masturbating before trimming his fingernails . . . actually, why don't we just stop that sentence at 'sponge.'
"Commeth Down Hessian" and the title track are my early favorites on the album, but the album never really relents. I expected to like this album, but I didn't expect to be this excited about it. This band have really come into their own, and this disc belongs in every metalhead's collection, not to mention the fact that Relapse Records is on one hell of a roll. One word review: Crushing.
Death's Review:
High on Fire roar back with a loud and confident new release, Blessed Black Wings, that feels as though it was intended as a bold wake up call to the extreme music scene. Raw and as aggressive as ever, Blessed Black Wings nevertheless sports a killer production that strikes just the right balance for this type of sound between precision clarity and primal release. Ex-Sleep guitarist/vocalist Matt Pike still growls like Slayer/Venom/Motorhead/Celtic Frost, and the tribal, pounding, tom-tom centric drumbeats chug in tight synchronization with the unrelenting guitar riffs, just as before. But this new album has that extra intangible, a certain convergence of growth and timing that could help to launch the band to a new higher profile in the coming year. At the end of the day, the punishment is still there, but so is the groove. My recommendation: lock on to High on Fire now, so you can say you beat the rush to the bandwagon.
"At the end of the day, the punishment is still there, but so is the groove."
Hel's Review:
This genre isn't one I generally go for, but every once in awhile a certain band catches my ear and tickles my fancy. High on Fire has managed to do it, not just once, but twice. I can't put my finger on exactly what High on Fire infuses their songs with which makes them so irresistible, but whatever it is, it smells darn fine. Er, I mean sounds...
"With this record, High on Fire have solidified their status as one of the few stoner bands I really enjoy." If you've heard their previous effort, you know the general direction High on Fire is taking with this record, yet you should not make the mistake of thinking, "been there, done that." Two and a half years have gone by since their last album was released, and the music on this new effort reflects the touring and growth the band has experienced in the intervening span. Blessed Black Wings is a more mature effort, as you would naturally expect.
With this record, High on Fire have solidified their status as one of the few stoner bands I really enjoy. I know from personal experience that High on Fire puts on an intense live set, and I see good things in the future for them. And I see good things in the future for you if you get out there to see them.
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