Artist: High on Fire
Label: Relapse Records
Release Date: 5/28/02
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Title: Surrounded by Thieves Artist: High on Fire Label: Relapse Records Release Date: 5/28/02 |
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Abyss's Review:
This band has got to have one of the stupidest names I've ever heard of. I don't know about fire, but when they agreed on this name they were high on something. But as the immortal William Shakespeare once wrote: "What's in a name?" (Of course, he was never in a metal band, now was he?) I like this album, I actually like it a good deal, but I am having trouble figuring out why I like it. This is one of the most monotonous releases that I've ever heard, and all of the songs sound the same, but yet I still find myself enjoying it from start to finish.
"I don't know about fire, but when they agreed on this name they were high on something."
Every song utilizes the same sounds, the same style of playing, and the same production values. In fact, the entire album sounds like it doesn't break out of an octave range. In many ways this album sounds like it should be really boring, but for some reason I'm still liking it. They remind me in many ways of Deceased. Even though they aren't a thrash band, the vocals remind me of King Fowley trying to imitate Lemmy, and there is a common musical thread through each and every song. This album sounds like Deceased playing a set of doom while chomping on barbiturates.
"I guess the best part of this album is that if you like one of the songs; you'll pretty much like all of them." My favorite song on the album, "Hung, Drawn and Quartered" hits with a no-nonsense metal attack that makes me wish I still owned a denim jacket with a huge back patch sloppily sewn to it and a pair of ripped jeans. This is working man's metal. No slick production (It sometimes sounds like it was recorded through a pillow), no dazzling solos, not even precision riffing. Just a steady metal vibe and a good attitude. I guess the best part of this album is that if you like one of the songs; you'll pretty much like all of them. So if you find yourself two songs into this record and you don't know if you like it yet, you might as well give up. One word review: Cool.
Death's Review:
Do you like your riffs to be pummeling? Are you interested in a mixture of Volume 4-era Black Sabbath with Neurosis, Celtic Frost, Venom, Trouble, Cathedral, Kyuss and Monster Magnet? Were you a fan of Sleep (meaning the band allmusicguide.com descibes as "the ultimate stoner band," and not the restful activity)? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, you'll definitely want to know about Surrounded by Thieves, the debut Relapse Records release from ex-Sleep guitarist Matt Pike and his current band, High on Fire. Think purposefully under-produced, bludgeoning, hypnotic riffage with Keith Moon (The Who) mixed with Neurosis style drumming. Think a vocal style which ranges somewhere between Cronos (Venom) and Tom G. Warrior (Celtic Frost) as interpreted by Tom Araya (Slayer) way back in the day (a la >Hell Awaits) yet overlayed with a Cro-Mags style crossover hardcore aesthetic. Think big, fat crusty Sabbath riffs inhaled through a massive, dirty bong. Now you're beginning to understand the awesome force which is High on Fire.
"Think big, fat crusty Sabbath riffs inhaled through a massive, dirty bong."
Are High on Fire a metal band? Yes, assuming you count Neurosis and Isis and Kyuss among the ranks of the metal. It is probably next to impossible to classify anything this heavy and Iommi-style riff centric as anything but metal, although there are definitely strong punk and stoner elements at play. I have never seen High on Fire live, but I can imagine it is a crushing experience. Unlike later-era Neurosis, the sound is as raw as possible on record, and thus the sheer gutteral force of Pike's obvious conviction cannot be sacrificed in the live setting. This is music to kick back by, but it will also serve as a nice soundtrack by which to kick someone in the head. Not always the most original or diverse of offerings, but who gives a fuck when you can feel the power of the music buried deep in your chest?
"I have never seen High on Fire live, but I can imagine it is a crushing experience."
Hel's Review:
Before you even listen to this record, you need to decide if you enjoy Sabbath-style metal. The kind of music that is so bottom heavy you're afraid your speakers will just fall through the floor from the sheer weight of the riffs. The kind of music where the production is deliberately crackly and fuzzy, so it sounds like an old vinyl LP record, and you find yourself wondering if you've fried your speakers from playing them too loud. High on Fire plays a heavy version of the above, so if you don't like this kind of sound, maybe you should head over to the Summary Judgment section now to find something more to your liking.
I have to assume that if you're still reading, you're still interested. High on Fire consists of three very talented men. They know their stuff, and they play it with authority. Some people may find themselves troubled by the depth of similarity to Black Sabbath at times, but I would advise them that imitation is the sincere form of flattery. And furthermore, if Ozzy won't make music like this anymore, don't you think someone should? Not that the vocals are at all Ozzy-esque, my point wasn't quite so literal.
"Before you even listen to this record, you need to decide if you enjoy Sabbath-style metal."
Anyway, this is one of those records that appeals to a niche audience. As long as you are not one of those people who is overly cynical and critical about this particular style of music, and you do usually enjoy records of similar ilk, I am fairly confident you will enjoy it. I certainly did, and I am not always in the mood for a record like this. Often I find them too drawn out and repetitive, and my short attention span makes me walk out of the room and I forget I was listening to something before I got bored. That didn't happen once while I was listening to Surrounded by Thieves so you know it must be good.
"The little touches show the quality of the writing, and these are what make High on Fire ultimately irresistible." High on Fire are true to what they set out to do, and they do it with great skill. In particular, I love the way "Hung, Drawn and Quartered" starts with that tribal-sounding drumbeat. The little touches show the quality of the writing, and these are what make High on Fire ultimately irresistible. I highly recommend giving this a listen.
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