High on Fire Announces North American Headlining Tour

Iconic U.S. rock band, High on Fire, has announced a North American headlining tour in support of its celebrated LP, 'Cometh the Storm'. In the midst of sold-out summer dates alongside Acid Bath, the GRAMMY Award-winning group details an autumn headliner run that will launch on September 17 in Vancouver, BC. The tour is scheduled to run through September 30 in San Jose, CA and will feature support from Charger and Bastardane. Tickets for all shows are on sale now.

"High on Fire is headed to stages near you," said the band in statement. "Let's get LOUD."

Additionally, High on Fire has been announced as one of the spotlight acts of Sacramento, CA's four-day Aftershock Festival, performing on October 2. For full details, visit this location.

High on Fire tour dates w/ Acid Bath:

August 16 - Baltimore, MD @ Nevermore Hall
August 22 - Hollywood, CA @ Hollywood Palladium
September 13 - Syracuse, NY @ Sharkeys Event Center

'Cometh the Storm' autumn North American tour 2025:

September 17 - Vancouver, BC @ The Pearl
September 19 - Edmonton, BC @ The Starlite Room
September 20 - Calgary, AB @ Dickens
September 21 - Great Falls, MT @ The Newberry
September 24 - Colorado Springs, CO @ The Black Sheep
September 25 - Fort Collins, CO @ The Coast
September 26 - Salt Lake City, UT @ The Commonwealth Room
September 28 - Las Vegas, NV @ The Usual Place
September 29 - Costa Mesa, CA @ The Wayfarer
September 30 - San Jose, CA @ The Ritz
October 2 - Sacramento, CA @ Discovery Park (as part of Aftershock Fest w/ Testament, Carcass, Nails + more)
October 17 - Jacumba Hot Springs, CA @ Jacumba Hot Springs Hotel (as part of Jacumba Breakdown Fest)

Following the North American dates, High on Fire will kick off a sixteen-city, nine country European tour on October 25 in Maastricht, Netherlands. The tour is scheduled to run through November 16 in Istanbul, Turkey and will include high profile appearances as part of the Samhain Festival (NL), Bruges is Doomed (BE), and the Damnation Festival (UK). Support to High on Fire on non-festival dates will come from Necrot.

High on Fire 'Cometh the Storm' autumn European tour 2025:

October 25 - Maastrichtm NL @ Samhain Festival (w/ Author & Punisher, Conan, more)
October 26 - Bruges, BE @ Bruges is Doomed (w/ Conan, more)
October 28 - Berlin, DE @ Neue Zukunft *
October 29 - Brno CZ @ Kabinet MUZ *
October 30 - Vienna, AT @ Arena Wien *
October 31 - Munich, DE @ Hansa 39 *
November 1 - Milan, IT @ Legend Club *
November 2 - Martigny, CH @ Les Caves du Manoir *
November 4 - Wiesbaden, DE @ Kesselhaus *
November 5 - Essen, DE @ Turock *
November 6 - London, UK @ Electric Ballroom *
November 8 - Manchester, UK @ Damnation Festival (w/ Deafheaven, The Haunted, more)
November 11 - Athens, GR @ Kyttaro Club
November 12 - Thessaloniki, GR @ Mylos
November 15 - Cankaya/Ankara, TR @ 6:45 KK
November 16 - Istanbul, TR @ Blind

* = Necrot supporting

Thanks to Action PR for all of the details

Drifter - Grigori (Album Review)

Release Date: May 23rd 2025. Record Label: Thoughtcrime Records. Formats: Cassette/CD/DD

Grigori - Tracklisting

1.[INTERVAL> Grigori] 02:13

2.Catalyst Tongues 08:43

3.The Tide 07:34

4.Hunger and Haunt 05:05

5.[INTERVAL> Abrezta] 01:46

6.Dead Sea Teeth 08:05

7.The Silence That Follows 07:54

8.The Flood 09:16

9.[INTERVAL> Carenta] 02:46

Members

Brodie Belt - Guitars, Pedalboard, Aux Percussion

Joel Denton - Drums, Percussion

Dean Edington - Bass, Vocals, Junk Rig, Electric Cello

Review

Grigori is the debut full length album from Progressive Sludge/Doom/Post-Metal collective Drifter which takes the best elements of the underground scene where the band superbly craft in their own image which oozes style, melody, dynamics and supreme heaviness throughout. The record starts off slowly with moments of intricate Post-Rock, Noise, Psych and Ambient sounds that undergo a slightly Post-Metal transformation within the opening tracks of [INTERVAL> Grigori] and Catalyst Tongues. 

Drifter takes similar themes and messages from bands such as Mastodon, ISIS, Neurosis, Shrinebuilder, Pelican and Russian Circles whilst still being completely different at the same time. It’s hard to explain until you hear the full album with Drifter performing uplifting and soulful Post-Metal melodies in places but they offset this balance with disturbing and sometimes nihilistic lyrics which comes through Dean Edington’s commanding vocals.

The added use of Post-Rock / Post-Metal interludes that slow the mood and melody right down sees haunting soundclips being added which adds another apocalyptic theme to the mix. Drifter directly taps into the bleak subconsciousness of Progressive Sludge Metal that NEUROSIS created the entire Post-Metal scene with back in the 1990’s with albums such as Through Silver In Blood. 

Drifter add levels of twisted psychedelics which cause a sense of gloomy paranoia which becomes quite aggressive when a distorted level of Post-Doom optics appear. The sudden arrival of tribal sound effects within the outstanding third track The Tide pushes Grigori into a forgotten cinematic style of Post-Metal which reminded me of TOOL and ISIS with its slow-paced and foreboding melodies.

The lyrics once again are quite subversive especially with its “NO HOLDS BARRED” approach with the music forming a destructive Atmospherics Sludge landscape for DRIFTER to unleash HELL ON EARTH with. The music is once again aggressive but with a certain level of Psychedelic melodies giving the record a sense of divine purpose once everything is said and done.

The aquatic themes and destructive way of the whole planet's ecosystem sounds become more apparent as the record moves through sublime tracks such as Hunger And Haunt, Dead Sea Truth, The Silence That Follows and The Flood. Drifter showcase a wide array of haunting complex Post-Rock / Post–Metal rhythms which fully transforms into a heavier, thicker and brutal style of Atmospheric Sludge where the “thuggish” grooves allows Grigori to be quite technically brilliant and forward thinking at the same time.

Drifter have a formidable reputation within their hometown of Lawrence, Kansas where they have performed with Godflesh, Pallbearer, Glassing, John Garcia of Kyuss. Grigori could easily see the band gain wider and prominent recognition within the Heavy Metal scene as this album is an absolute MONSTER that reaches an epic and action packed conclusion with the final moments leaving the listener fully satisfied on all levels possible.

Grigori is a record you need to fully experience right now as this could be a game-changer for the band and has the makings of a future classic in the making.

Words by Steve Howe

Links

Official | Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Scorpion Child to Release New LP, 'I Saw The End as it Passed Right Through Me', February 14 2025

Austin, Texas band, Scorpion Child, plays dark rock and roll that blends haunting themes and atmospheric melodies; a unique fusion of post-punk, hard rock, and brooding aesthetic. The band has returned in 2024, galvanized with a fortified lineup and renewed dedication. Scorpion Child will release its new album, 'I Saw the End as it Passed Right Through Me', on February 14, 2025 via Noize in the Attic Records. The LP is the long-awaited follow up to the band's 2016 full-length LP, 'Acid Roulette' (Nuclear Blast Records), a release hailed as "mesmerizing" by Metal Hammer. Pre-order/save Scorpion Child's 'I Saw the End as it Passed Right Through Me' at this location.

The first taste of what 'I Saw the End as it Passed Right Through Me' delivers lies in wait with the new single, "Outliers", a powerful punch of a song, filled with introspective lyrics, that perfectly encapsulates the band's distinct style. "Outliers" was recorded at Austin's Point West Recording with Charles Godfrey (Black Angels, The Mountain Goats). Stream Scorpion Child's "Outliers" video below

"Outliers" deep dives into the organizational use of fear tactics and the related, unknown forces that we are supposed to run from, or conform to," offers Scorpion Child vocalist Aryn Jonathan Black. "The song is a look into the thought that "they" are always watching us and that we should play the same game from our POV in the shadows."

Scorpion Child just completed a successful autumn European tour which launched on October 3 and included spotlight festival appearances as part of Switzerland's Up In Smoke Festival (w/ Monster Magnet, Slomosa), the Netherlands' Into The Void Festival (w/ Black Tusk, Greenleaf), Germany's Keep It Low Festival (w/ Russian Circles, Inter Arma), Belgium's Desertfest (w/ Conan, Monolord). The tour included a special live set on legendary German music television show, Rockpalast, which has hosted scores of A-level artists such as The Afghan Whigs, Black Pumas, The Cult, and Thin Lizzy, and saw Scorpion Child lauded for its "raw energy" (review here).

Scorpion Child (photo: H. Love)

"'I Saw the End as it Passed Right Through Me' is a quite intense and rather moody record," Black continues. "I wrote these songs from the pits of a deep depression after going through a really rough patch in life where my mental health was very poor. Don't think of it as all gloomy, though, because in our sadness there are always euphoric times of extreme happiness and nirvana. It's truly an honest record, and we are excited to perform it live."

The track listing for Scorpion Child's 'I Saw the End as it Passed Right Through Me', is as follows:

1.) Be the Snake
2.) Actress
3.) Outliers (stream VIDEO)
4.) See the Shine
5.) The Starker
6.) Wired Corpse
7.) Godskin
8.) Hanging Sun

Pre-order/save 'I Saw the End as it Passed Right Through Me' at this location. Exclusive vinyl and physical variants are available for pre-order via Bandcamp.

Scorpion Child is Aryn Jonathan Black (vocals), Asa Allen Savage (guitar), Adrian Arostone (guitar), Garth Condit (bass), and Ryan Henderson (drums). Follow Scorpion Child on Bandcamp, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X for breaking news and updates.

About Scorpion Child:

Scorpion Child wields a sound that hearkens back to when guitar rock ruled the airwaves and going to concerts was the ultimate main event. The Austin, TX quintet released its self-titled debut in 2013 via Nuclear Blast Records. 

The album landed at #26 on the Billboard Heatseekers Chart and #99 on the Billboard Hard Music Albums chart. Following its premiere by Eddie Trunk, iTunes named “Polygon Of Eyes” its “Single of the Week,” and Scorpion Child earned a nomination for “Best New Band” at the Classic Rock Magazine presented “Classic Rock Awards.” 

The group's second album, 2016's 'Acid Roulette' was recorded with GRAMMY® Award-nominated producer Chris “Frenchie” Smith [Meat Puppets, …And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead], and featured the fan-favorite tracks “Reaper’s Danse”, and "My Woman in Black". The band's new album, 'I Saw The End as it Passed Right Through Me', is set for release on February 14 2025.

Thanks to Action PR for all of the details.

Slomosa - Tundra Rock (Album Review)

Release Date: September 13th 2024. Record Label: Stickman Records / MNRK Heavy. Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl

Tundra Rock - Track Listing:

1.Afghansk Rev

2.Rice 

3.Cabin Fever 

4.Red Thundra

5.Good Mourning

6.Battling Guns 

7.Monomann

8.MJ

9.Dune

Line-up:

Benjamin Berdous - Guitar, Vocals

Marie Moe - Bass, Vocals

Tor Erik Bye - Guitar

Jard Hole - Drums

Review

Slomosa return with their highly anticipated second album Tundra Rock which follows their celebrated 2020 debut album that struck a chord with a wide majority of the Stoner Rock scene. Slomosa even managed to win plaudits from iconic musicians of the scene such as Brant Bjork and Nick Olivieri. 

Tundra Rock continues to see Slomosa explore and build upon their own dynamic style of Desert/Stoner Rock with a heavy Grunge based attitude. This time round Slomosa add a dense style of Fuzz Rock and Psychedelic attitude to their music which builds upto a more classical style of Stone Rock which allows them to create their own original style of music.

Opening track Afghansk Rev is a track that sees Slomosa channelling bands such as KYUSS and YAWNING MAN with a slow moving foreboding attitude which becomes quite Post-Rock sounding in places. The grooves are played at heavy levels of volume before slowly dying off into the background. There’s some vocal chants towards the end of the track though it’s the epic instrumental passages that pulls you in from the very start.

Second track Rice has become a live favourite for fans with Slomosa playing the track LIVE non-stop recently and it’s not hard to see why. Taking that classic KYUSS delivery with Spaced Out flourishes and Grunge attitude with Benjamin’s vocals being quite dominant for all the right ways. The music changes into an uplifting style of Cinematic Rock with a sludgy sound starting to emerge but the powerful FUZZED UP instrumental solos allow this to be one of the early standout tracks on the album. 

Third track Cabin Fever opts for a deft Psychedelic Blues Rock sound with a cool atmospheric Desert Rock drive before Slomosa open up their treasure chest of Aggressive based Stoner Rock/Metal passages. The sound becomes quite DOOM & GLOOM obsessed before Slomosa switches back to a style of music that transforms into a Post-Stoner movement. The vocals from Benjamin and Marie are sublime with both equally powerful despite being quite different to each other. The lyrics are quite direct and very warm-hearted when the epic sing-along chorus appears. Another one of the standout tracks shows why Slomosa are considered one of the brightest creative lights within today’s Stoner Rock scene.

Fourth track Red Thundra is a track that could be considered as one of Slomosa’s true classic definitive tracks with the excellent vocal interplay between Marie and Benjamin. Subdued guitars and beautifully played rhythm sections slowly move into a heavier area of music. The sounds become heavier with a meaty Sludge Rock/Metal appetite starting to emerge. The lyrics are very heartfelt and have a sense of harsh realism to them. The later stages of the track has the best instrumental and extended solos on the whole album with Slomosa playing a ferocious style of music that still retains this epic HUGE LIKEABILITY factor.

Fifth track Good Mourning is a gloomy instrumental piano piece which is used as a brief rest before returning to the heavy sandy dunes of SLOMOSA.

The next part of the album sees Slomosa capturing some of the vivid and uplifting creative energy they first showed on their debut album with a subtle Psych Rock style becoming more apparent. The vocals are excellent yet again with stunning music being classic and contemporary at the same time on tracks such as Battling Guns, MJ and Dune. 

Tundra Rock easily allows Slomosa to avoid the dreaded sophomore curse and deliver a record that’s even better than their celebrated debut album. With catchy melodic hooks throughout and thrilling instrumental solos, Slomosa have delivered an album that’s going to launch them ever so closer to the mainstream scene. They fully deserve all the accolades and praise coming their way as Tundra Rock is a masterclass of modern day Desert/Stoner Rock. 

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Action PR and All Noir PR for the promo.

Tundra Rock will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl via MNRK Heavy and Stickman Records

Links

Official | Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram

Norwegian Desert Rockers SLOMOSA Reveal Album Details & Brand New Video Single "Battling Guns"!

Photo by Nikoline Spjelkavik

Norwegian desert rockers SLOMOSA have finally revealed new details about their forthcoming, sophomore studio album! Slated for release on September 13, 2024 via Stickman Records, "Tundra Rock" will see the Bergen-based four-piece double down on all expectations!

 

The album pre-sale has just started at:

https://www.stickman-records.com/shop/slomosa-tundra-rock/ 

 

Following previously-released, much acclaimed album tracks, "Cabin Fever" and "Rice", SLOMOSA have just premiered a music video for their new single "Battling Guns", a stoner rock track featuring gritty riffs and powerful vocals! Says vocalist and guitarist Benjamin Berdous: 

 

“This song shows a grungier side to our songwriting, as we wanted to add something new to our catalog. As history repeats itself, their triumphs are cheap and their followers are sheep. The song symbolizes the disbelief and anger at this development.” 

 

"Battling Guns" is now streaming on all digital services at

https://Slomosa.bfan.link/battling-guns 
Watch the new clip premiering here:

 

SLOMOSA were formed in Bergen in 2017. Driven by their passion for catchy songwriting and groovy riffs, the band has embarked on a unique journey that blends stoner rock, grunge and hardcore into their signature blend, dubbed "tundra rock"; a northern twist on California desert rock.

 

Since their sudden appearance on the scene with the self-titled debut album in 2020, SLOMOSA have hit the ground running with frenetically-acclaimed festival appearances and relentless tours with more than 130 shows in twenty countries alongside bands such as Orange Goblin, Elder, King Buffalo, Sasquatch or Stöner. 

Their explosive live performances have earned them an enthusiastic fanbase, both nationally and internationally. SLOMOSA's music has even captured the attention of rock greats like Tool guitarist Adam Jones, who recently shared his enthusiasm for the band on his social media, or Kyuss legends Brant Bjork and Nick Oliveri, who have expressed their love for SLOMOSA's sound and riffs. With a steadily growing fanbase from all over the world, more than 10.000,000 Spotify streams alone, a busy touring schedule featuring recent shows with heavy weights Fu Manchu in Oslo or UK dates with Alkaline Trio, an upcoming European run with GREENLEAF and their first-ever live appearance in the States supporting ALKALINE TRIO, the future is definitely bright for the band between the seven mountains. Find all upcoming live shows listed below!

 

On top of continuous touring, SLOMOSA has been channeling all their creative energy into their second, hotly-anticpated studio offering "Tundra Rock", scheduled for a September release on Stickman Records. The nine album tracks were produced by Eirik Marinius Sandvik at Polyfon Studio and Marinius Studio, and were mastered by Jørgen Træen. The cover artwork was created by Elsa Enestig. 

 

Pre-Order "Tundra Rock" HERE!

 

"Tundra Rock" Tracklist:

01. Afghansk Rev
02. Rice
03. Cabin Fever
04. Red Thundra
05. Good Mourning
06. Battling Guns
07. Monomann
08. MJ
09. Dune

 

SLOMOSA Live:

27.07.2024 Misery Fest (BE)
02.08.2024 Åndalsnes (NO), Raumarock 

01.10.24 (DE) Berlin, Lido *

02.10.24 (DE) Hamburg, Gruenspan *

03.10.24 (DE) Köln, Club Volta *

04.10.24 (DE) Bielefeld, Forum *

05.10.24 (NL) Leeuwarden, Into The Void *

06.10.24 (CH) Pratteln, Up In Smoke *

07.10.24 (AT) Innsbruck, PMK *

09.10.24 (AT) Vienna, Arena

10.10.24 (HR) Zagreb, Vintage Industrial Bar *

11.10.24 (AT) Graz, PPC *

12.10.24 (DE) München, Keep It Low *

13.10.24 (DE) Leipzig, Werk2 *

 

* with GREENLEAF

North America

Supporting ALKALINE TRIO:

Sept 11, 2024 - San Antonio, TX, Aztec Theater
Sept 12, 2024 - New Orleans, LA, House of Blues
Sept 15, 2024 - Charleston, SC, Charleston Music Hall
Sept 17, 2024 - Wilmington, DE, The Queen
Sept 18, 2024 - Wallingford, CT, The Dome
Sept 20, 2024 - Wantagh, NY, Mulcahy’s
Sept 21, 2024 - Sayreville, NJ, Starland Ballroom
Sept 22, 2024 - Hampton Beach, NH, Casino Ballroom
Sept 24, 2024 - Buffalo, NY, Riverworks
Sept 26, 2024 - Grand Rapids, MI, The Intersection
Sept 27, 2024 - Milwaukee, WI, The Rave
Sept 28, 2024 - Columbus, OH, Kemba Live!
Sept 29, 2024 - Newport, KY, Megacorp Pavilion 

 

For More Info Visit:

https://www.facebook.com/slomosaband/
https://www.instagram.com/slomosa/
https://www.tiktok.com/@slomosa
https://www.slomosamusic.com
https://www.stickman-records.com/

 

SLOMOSA are:

Benjamin Berdous - Vocals/guitar

Marie Moe - Vocals/bass

Tor Erik Bye - Guitar

Jard Hole - Drums

Thanks to All Noir PR and Action PR for all of the info.

High On Fire release video for new album title track Cometh the Storm album out 19th April via MNRK Heavy

Photo by James Rexroad

Iconic GRAMMY-winning U.S. rock band High on Fire have released a video for the title track of their upcoming full-length Cometh the Storm, due for release on 19th April via MNRK Heavy.

Directed by Phil Mucci for Diabolik Films, watch the video for 'Cometh the Storm' here: 

Pre-order/save Cometh the Storm here.

"'Cometh the Storm' was built from a riff I started playing on bass at practice," explains bassist/guitarist Jeff Matz. "I was noodling around with this melancholic harmonic minor line, just hammering the notes with my left hand, when Matt yelled out “Are we recording this!?” The chorus riff was something Coady and I came up with when we were jamming in LA. Matt then came in and worked up some rough lyrics and came up with the vocal line. For the chorus, I used this fretless bass I’d acquired. The weight of the low frequencies this thing produced was insane - how it blended with the guitars and drums, it was like being hit with a sledgehammer. We knew right away that this was going to be an epically heavy track."

“This was the first time I got to work with the guys on set and we had a blast,” offers Mucci. "High on Fire lyrics can always be interpreted in a number of ways, so I started by trying to define “The Storm”. A huge list of visual ideas got whittled down to the two essential characters at work, The Man and Gaia, representing duel ends of the spectrum — with a very destructive crossover. I always try to keep things light and encourage everyone to come with ideas — like Coady’s burning cymbal idea! No better way to end your High on Fire shoot than with exploding cymbals!”

High on Fire will kick off U.S. headlining tour dates in support of Cometh the Storm on 4th May, then head to the UK / EU. Dates:

Jun 04: CZ Brno Kabinet MUZ
Jun 10: DE Hamburg Bahnhof Pauli
Jun 11: DE Cologne Gebäude 9
Jun 12: NL Nijmegen Doornroosje
Jun 14: UK London Islington Assembly Hall
Jun 15: UK Manchester Rebellion
Jun 16: UK Glasgow Slay
Jun 17: UK Leeds Brudenell Social Club
Jun 18: UK Bristol Thekla
Jun 20: FR Wasquehal The Black Lab
Jun 25: FR Toulouse Le Metronum
Jun 26: ES Bilbao Kafe Antzokia
Jul 02: DE Aschaffenburg Colos Saal
Jul 03: CH Dudingen Bad Bonn
Jul 04: IT Torino Ziggy
Jul 06: AT Vienna Arena

The GRAMMY Award-winning group, celebrating their 25th anniversary, recorded Cometh the Storm at GodCity Studio in Salem, Massachusetts with producer Kurt Ballou. The 11-song effort - the band's ninth studio album - marks the release of the first new High on Fire music since 2018's Electric Messiah and the first to feature drummer Coady Willis (Big Business, Murder City Devils), alongside bassist Jeff Matz, and guitarist/vocalist Matt Pike.

It has been more than five years since the band’s revered Electric Messiah earned High on Fire ‘Best Metal Performance’ at the 2018 GRAMMY Awards, placing the unit among the ranks of groups such as Black Sabbath, Motörhead, and Metallica as winners of the prestigious award. “Being nominated for a Grammy was pretty mind blowing, but winning one was truly surreal,” says bassist Jeff Matz. “A Grammy win was certainly not something we were aiming for, but it’s quite an honor to be recognized in that way, and we are grateful. In terms of how it’s affected us, it has definitely opened some new doors—we’ve gained some new fans and wider recognition, but it hasn’t changed how we approach our craft. We’ve always tried to create uncompromising music that feels good to us, and is in line with what we would want to listen to.”

In the half decade since the band’s Grammy nod, the world has seismically shifted and is a different place. The same can be said for High on Fire. The band’s musical archetype has been modded, morphed, and evolved; its blast radius widened. Bassist Jeff Matz joined Mutoid Man and traveled abroad to study and learn the techniques of Middle Eastern folk music and the plucked string instrument, the bağlama (or saz), Matt Pike formed a solo band, released an LP, and toured the U.S., and world-renowned percussionist, Coady Willis, he of Melvins, Big Business, and Murder City Devils united with Pike and Matz to breathe new life into the group a quarter century into their captivating career.

The lead track on High on Fire’s new album, Cometh the Storm, is the invigorating 'Burning Down', a vigorous barrage which exemplifies the prowess the unification of the three professional musicians owns.

Universally recognised as one of the most potent acts in music today, High on Fire creates dynamic metal that merges primal fury and aggression, hesher bombast and hall of fame heaviness. Described as "a supersonic exercise in conquest by volume," High on Fire has rewritten the hard rock rule book since their formation in 1998, forging a style and sound that is both critically celebrated and unique. The group features vocalist and cult guitar hero Matt Pike (also a founding member of the famed underground band SLEEP) singular bassist Jeff Matz, and powerhouse drummer Coady Willis.

 
High on Fire are:

Matt Pike: guitar, vocals
Jeff Matz: bass, guitar, bağlama, mellotron, percussion
Coady Willis: drums, percussion, vocals

High On Fire online:

https://www.facebook.com/highonfire
https://twitter.com/HighonFireBand
https://www.instagram.com/highonfireband
https://mnrkheavy.com

Track-list:

1. Lambsbread (5:45)
2. Burning Down (6:13)
3. Trismegistus (5:36)
4. Cometh The Storm (6:12)
5. Karanlık Yol (3:46)
6. Sol’s Golden Curse (4:52)
7. The Beating (2:29)
8. Tough Guy (3:44)
9. Lightning Beard (3:33)
10. Hunting Shadows (5:40)
11. Darker Fleece (9:59)

Thanks to Hold Tight PR and Action PR for all of the info.

High on Fire's Matt Pike Announces 'Pike vs. the Automaton' U.S. Tour Dates

High on Fire's Matt Pike Announces 'Pike vs. the Automaton' U.S. Tour Dates Heavy Metal Icon Hits the Road In Support of Debut Solo LP

Pike vs. The Automaton (photo: Marissa Rodriguez)

From rewriting the hard rock rulebook with his Grammy award-winning trio, High on Fire, to reverse engineering doom metal with his genre-defining trio Sleep, Matt Pike has channeled his natural talents and chiseled a steely path straight to the heart of modern-day metal’s molten core. Today, Pike announces a string of autumn U.S. tour dates in support of his debut solo LP, ‘Pike vs. the Automaton’, out now via MNRK Heavy.  The ‘Pike vs. the Automaton’ mini-tour will launch on November 13 in Dallas, TX. The weeklong jaunt will run through November 20 in Iowa City, IA. Tickets for all dates are on sale at this location. The just-released live dates are as follows:    Matt Pike's ‘Pike vs. the Automaton’ tour dates:    November 13   Dallas, TX               Amplified Live     November 14   Little Rock, AR       White Water Tavern     November 15   Memphis, TN         Growlers     November 17   Chicago, IL             Reggies     November 18   Milwaukee, WI       The Rave     November 19   Minneapolis, MN   Turf Club     November 20   Iowa City, IA            Gabe's     "Actions speak louder than words," said Pike when asked for comment. "We're going to let our music do the talking. See you at the shows."

Born out of the challenges brought on by a worldwide pandemic, ‘Pike vs. the Automaton’, is both a musical and emotional release. The record was written by Pike with drummer Jon Reid, features contributions from a slew of family and friends, and was recorded with longtime conspirator Billy Anderson, the producer who brought the best out of Pike previously on touchstone titles such as ‘Surrounded by Thieves’ and ‘Sleep’s Holy Mountain’. 'Pike vs. the Automaton' has been called "a psych-rock blowout" by the Chicago Reader, and "thrilling" by Revolver. Blabbermouth stated, "It is a certified Heavy Metal Fact that Matt Pike is a badass," Decibel called Pike "a trailblazing visionary," Glide named Pike "one of the most badass rockers on this planet", Guitar World deemed Pike "a modern-day equivalent to Tony Iommi", and Pitchfork opined, "Pike is biologically driven to write and play bodacious heavy metal riffs." The album title, ‘Pike vs. the Automaton’, wasn’t an ego thing for me," says Pike. "Billy and Jon said, “Dude, you should use your name in this. This is your solo project.” I said, “I don’t want to do that”. "The Automaton, in Greek mythology, is the big robot that’s the guardian of the Gods, basically. It’s a soulless, big machine named Talos. The big machine that’s working against mankind at this moment. In ‘Jason and the Argonauts’, Jason and the Argonauts have to battle this big machine guy that protects the island. Basically, what the album title is saying, metaphorically, is ‘Pike against the World.’”

Pike vs The Automaton "Land" (Official Music Video) featuring Mastodon's Brent Hinds

“I made a psychedelic rock record that Sleep and High on Fire fans would like,” Pike continues when asked for a CliffsNotes description of ‘Pike vs. the Automaton’. “And maybe if you’re not a Sleep or High on Fire fan, you might like it too. I definitely think it’s interesting; it has D-Beat punk, two-step. It’s got everything and it still works together, it doesn’t sound odd. It’s just an off-the-wall psychedelic rock record.” Guest musicians on ‘Pike vs. the Automaton’ include Alyssa Maucere-Pike (Lord Dying, Grigax), Chad "Chief" Hartgrave, Brent Hinds (Mastodon), Steve McPeeks (West End Motel), Josh Greene (El Cerdo), Todd Burdette (Tragedy, His Hero is Gone), and High on Fire bassist Jeff Matz, who lays down Turkish electric saz on the album's towering closing track "Leaving the Wars of Woe".

‘Pike vs. the Automaton’ track listing:    1.) Abusive    2.) Throat Cobra    3.) Trapped In A Midcave    4.) Epoxia    5.) Land (feat. Brent Hinds / watch VIDEO)    6.) Alien Slut Mum      7.) Apollyon    8.) Acid Test Zone    9.) Latin American Geological Formation  10.) Leaving The Wars Of Woe

Pike VS The Automaton - S/T (Album Review)

Release Date: February 18th 2022. Record Label: MNRK Heavy. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Pike VS The Automaton - S/T - Tracklisting

Abusive

Throat Cobra

Trapped In A Midcave

Epoxia

Land

Alien Slut Mum

Apollyon

Acid Test Zone

Latin American Geological Formation

Leaving The Wars Of Woe

Members including Guest Appearances

Matt Pike

Brent Hinds

Jeff Matz

Chat Hartgrave

Steve McPeets

Joshua Greene

Review

Matt Pike finally releases his debut album after thirty years of releasing classic albums with both SLEEP and HIGH ON FIRE. Pike VS The Automaton is Matt Pike at his most flamboyant, over the top best and allowing his “WILD MAN OF SLUDGE/STONER METAL” persona run wild. Though, Matt does have help with some of his buddies on this release with appearances from Brent Hinds, Jeff Matz, Chat Hartgrave, Steve McPeets and Joshua Greene throughout the album.

The record allows Matt to create and play some of the wildest grooves and songs of his legendary career. The album does feel like High On Fire in places but has enough brilliant and thrilling variety not to sound like High On Fire either. As the album draws on themes and sounds from other areas of music we haven’t heard from Matt such as Surf Rock, Punk Rock, and Classic Hard Rock. There’s also a ton of cool soundbites from films and shows spliced on the album.

Running over sixty minutes in length, this album does have a lot of different styles and sounds on each of the songs. If you dig the classic High On Fire riffage then songs such as Abusive, Throat Cobra, Trapped In A Man Cave and Alien Slut Mum will stand out for many. However, the album truly comes in it’s own when Matt takes bold creative steps and plays music we haven’t heard from him before with some Semi-Acoustic/Country/Americana based jams on the excellent song Land.

The later stages of the album does veer into experimental style but all handled with Matt’s “Showman” persona. As the album once again splices different styles of music for a heavy bombastic style of Sludge/Stoner Metal with a snarling Punk-ish, Psychedelic and Thrash vibe. Songs such as Apollyon, Latin American Geological Foundation and Leaving The Wars Of Woe may be considered the heaviest songs on the album but these are the most experimental.

Pike VS The Automaton does have an epic “MOTORHEAD” influence to it. The vocal work is impressive and perhaps some of his best vocal work over the last decade or so. That’s perhaps due to the wild ideas held on the album. The album’s production is most definitely in the Punk Rock way of life with a style that is quite different to both SLEEP and HIGH ON FIRE. 

I’m hoping for a new HIGH ON FIRE album this year but if the Sludge/Stoner Metal Gods have other ideas then this is without doubt the next best thing. This is quintessential and classic Matt Pike through and through but also an album that you will need time with to fully understand and appreciate. 

Pike VS The Automaton is a brilliant and must have album that will no doubt end up becoming one of the best Sludge/Stoner Metal albums of the year. This is a must have album showing folks why Matt Pike is perhaps the greatest modern day Sludge/Stoner Metal guitarist currently out there and I stand by those words.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Action PR and Hold Tight PR for the promo. 

Pike VS The Automaton will be released on CD/DD/Vinyl via MNRK Heavy from February 18th 2022.

Links

Official | BandCamp