High On Fire - Snakes For The Divine
By Pete Angell
Few metal bands bear the threat of tearing it up like California natives High On Fire. Their mighty sound is an epic collision of NWOBHM reminiscent riffage and modern day aggression best played full volume. ‘Snakes For The Divine’ is their fifth album since their 1998 formation, and shows no signs of letting up their vigorous approach.
Matt Pike’s hoarse vocals roar with genuine emotion, a trait not as common as it should be in today’s market place, and one that remains impressively reflected through a studio setting. Their seething riffs and downbeat guitar work is ominous, as highlighted on ‘Bastard Samurai’, but still packs considerable clout. There’s times where they noticeably haven’t reached their full potential but they make up with their conviction. This is the driving force here and on multiple occasions, their saving grace. The downside to this though, are these ‘not quite there’ elements which prevent this from being anything more than a fairly good record. You have to wonder if taking the cream of their past work and the best here (which really is their best) and merging them together would present their crowning jewel.
It has to be said, parts of the album are possibly just that. That’s the stuff they need to keep hold of; their ability to create a foreboding atmosphere, savage arrangements and when Pike’s vocals reach their peak (Ghost Neck’ springs to mind). Prolonging solo’s unnecessarily, dragging aspects that start off brilliantly too long and maybe over thinking are things to change. Maybe it’s the predictable effects of polished studio engineering, but High On Fire sound that much more edgy when they appear on the brink and you don’t quite know what to expect. Leaving things unrefined here and there could have been just the ticket to send this phenomenally crashing off the rails. Maybe next time.
All in all there’s no point in moping about what could have been. No doubt the band will be proud of this effort, and rightly so. The feeling here is another ‘almost’ album, but one both excellent in its execution and a little disappointing in the same line. The expectations were always going to be high, but you know what? In places they have exceeded. It’s a blood pumper and full of real attack, so let’s salute that.
