The Scene: High on Fire has paved the way for an endless list of bands including Mastodon (whose members met at a High on Fire show). Their latest studio effort, Luminiferous, will most certainly top many end-of-year lists (including mine), and their live shows are the the stuff of legends. So to say this, my first High on Fire show, was one I was looking forward to would be a severe understatement.
With Pallbearer, Lucifer, and Venomous Maximus rounding out the bill, this had all the makings of a great night of live Metal music. And, if one can judge the crowd by a cross-section of band t-shirt sightings, this night included shirts, patches, and trucker hats from, but not limited to Sleep, The Jesus Lizard, Intronaut, Megadeth, and Godflesh (and more than a few Trve Brewing shirts). Also, I’m not sure if he actually invented this beard style, but it’s worth noting that there was an over abundance of Neil Fallon inspired beards at this show. But I digress, and I’m not poking fun at you dudes. These are just the things I notice at Rock and Roll shows. Let’s talk about the music, shall we?
Opener: Venomous Maximus. Houston based heavy Psych riffers Venomous Maximus kicked off the night with a spirited thirty minute set that was highlighted by the dueling Flying-V guitars of lead singer Gregg Higgins and Christian Larson.
Opener: Lucifer. Led by Johanna Sadonis (formerly of The Oath), Lucifer took the room on a trip through 70s-soaked Doom and Blues Metal that most certainly earned some fans of this newly formed band.
Opener: Pallbearer. Pallbearer’s 2014 release, Foundations of Burden, topped my end-of-year album list, and I was lucky enough to catch them last December at Bluebird Theatre. Who cares if this opening set this night wasn’t much different than that headlining slot last year. So much energy coming from this band, and I can’t wait to hear what’s next!
High on Fire: High on Fire crushed it! It’s no surprise, really. The well of songs they have to pick from is deep. And damn near all of their songs translate well in a live music setting. But this is a fresh touring cycle for yet another highly regarded studio offering in their latest, Luminiferous, released in June. Which means we were in store for a heavy dose of new songs.
From the opening notes of “The Black Pot”, and over the course of thirteen songs, the ever shirtless Matt Pike, Jeff Matz (bass), and Des Kensel (drums) effortlessly transitioned between the sludge of “Carcosa”, “Death Is This Communion”, and “10,000 Years” to the blistering thrash of “Luminiferous”, and “Fertile Green.” High on Fire exceeded my expectations on every level, and as the final notes of “Snakes for the Divine” rang (and were still ringing the following morning), it’s obvious that this band isn’t about to slow down anytime soon.
Energy: A
Musicianship: A
Sound: B
Stage Presence: A
Set/Light Show: C
Overall: A
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