High on Fire

{{Short description|American metal band}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2021}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = High on Fire | image = HF2022HighOnFire 4.jpg | image_upright = 1.25 | landscape = | caption = High on Fire at Hellfest 2022 | origin = Oakland, California, U.S. | genre = {{hlist|Stoner metal<ref name="allmusicbio" >{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/high-on-fire-mn0000676530/biography|title=High on Fire | Biography & History|website=AllMusic|access-date=October 10, 2020}}</ref>|sludge metal<ref name=Pitchfork-SurroundedbyThieves>{{cite web |url=http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/18493/High_on_Fire_Surrounded_by_Thieves |title=High on Fire - ''Surrounded by Thieves'' |author=Violante, Isaiah |quote=…manufacturing that sludgy, choleric sound… |work=Pitchfork Media |access-date=September 1, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207060955/http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/18493/High_on_Fire_Surrounded_by_Thieves |archive-date=December 7, 2008 }}</ref>|thrash metal<ref>{{Cite web|title=High On Fire And Power Trip Prove That American Metal Is Stronger Than Ever|url=https://www.kerrang.com/features/high-on-fire-and-power-trip-prove-that-american-metal-is-stronger-than-ever/|access-date=2021-07-20|website=Kerrang!|date=November 25, 2019 }}</ref>}} | discography = High on Fire discography | years_active = 1998–present | label = Relapse, Man's Ruin, Koch | website = {{twitter}} | current_members = Matt Pike Jeff Matz Ben Koller | past_members = Des Kensel Karl Larson Ron George Rice Joe Preston Coady Willis }}

'''High on Fire''' is an American heavy metal band from Oakland, California,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.highonfire.net/about.html |title=About |publisher=High on Fire |access-date=November 3, 2013}}</ref> that was formed in 1998. Matt Pike, the band's frontman and founder, also plays guitar for Sleep. High on Fire won the 2019 Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance with their song "Electric Messiah". The band has released nine studio albums, with their newest, ''Cometh the Storm'', released in 2024.

==History== High on Fire was founded in 1998<ref>{{cite web |url=https://southernlord.com/band/high-on-fire/ |title=High On Fire - Southern Lord |date=January 10, 2018 |publisher=southernlord.com |access-date=March 9, 2023}}</ref> as a four-piece by Sleep guitarist Matt Pike, with drummer Des Kensel, guitarist Karl Larson, and bassist Ron<ref>{{cite web |url=https://echoesanddust.com/2020/08/des-kensel-ex-high-on-fire/ |title=Echoes And Dust Interview: Des Kensel (Ex-High On Fire) |date=August 11, 2020 |publisher=echoesanddust.com |access-date=March 16, 2026}}</ref>. George Rice, who had previously played in Dear Deceased, later joined to be the band's vocalist. Due to the musical differences drummer Des Kensel later left the band. Soon after Matt Pike invited Des Kensel to reform the band, with their original vocalist George Rice switched to bass. In 1999, High on Fire recorded a three-song EP, which was released on 12th Records. The three songs were re-recorded and included on the band's first full-length album, ''The Art of Self Defense'', which was released by Man's Ruin Records on March 7, 2000. Tee Pee Records re-released ''The Art of Self Defense'' with two new bonus tracks the following year, as Man's Ruin Records had become defunct.

In 2001, High on Fire signed a record deal with Relapse Records<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.relapse.com/artist/artist.aspx?ArtistID=10054 |title=High On Fire - Official Relapse Records Band Page |publisher=Relapse.com |access-date=September 10, 2010 |archive-date=July 15, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715172455/http://www.relapse.com/artist/artist.aspx?ArtistID=10054 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and recorded the album ''Surrounded by Thieves'', which was released on May 28, 2002. On January 19, 2003, the band performed at the Relapse Records Contamination Festival. After the tours promoting ''Surrounded by Thieves'', bassist George Rice left the band and was replaced by ex-Melvins/Thrones bassist Joe Preston.

The band's next album, 2005's ''Blessed Black Wings'', was largely written by Pike and Kensel before the recording of the album took place. The album was produced by Steve Albini, and was released on February 1, 2005. A music video was produced for the song "Devilution."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=12104 |title=High On Fire Complete Video For "Devilution" - in Metal News |publisher=Metal Underground.com |date=September 4, 2010 |access-date=September 10, 2010}}</ref> While touring with Goatwhore and Watch Them Die to promote ''Blessed Black Wings'', Joe Preston left the band for undisclosed reasons, and was temporarily replaced by Zeke bassist Jeff Matz.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=18539 |title=High On Fire Recruit Zeke Bassist For Tour - in Metal News |publisher=Metal Underground.com |access-date=September 10, 2010}}</ref> Matz finished the tour with High on Fire and became a full-time member during the recording of ''Death Is This Communion''. ''Death Is This Communion'' was released on September 18, 2007 (September 10, in Europe).

After ''Death Is This Communion'' was released, High on Fire played a small string of Northwest shows to promote it. The band did a headline tour of North America in September and October 2007, with support from the Japanese post-rock band Mono, along with Panthers and Coliseum.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=29657 |title=High On Fire Announce Winter Tour Dates - in Metal News |publisher=Metal Underground.com |access-date=September 10, 2010}}</ref> High on Fire also played on 2008's Gigantour,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=32303 |title=Gigantour 2008 Lineup Revealed - in Metal News |publisher=Metal Underground.com |access-date=September 10, 2010}}</ref> which was followed by a North American tour with the bands Opeth, Baroness, and Nachtmystium.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=38290 |title=Opeth Announces More Headlining US Tour Dates - in Metal News |publisher=Metal Underground.com |access-date=September 10, 2010}}</ref>

thumb|Frontman Matt Pike performing in 2016

On December 17, 2008, High on Fire signed a recording deal with Koch Records. On August 1, 2009, it was announced that a new album would be recorded with producer Greg Fidelman.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=46758 |title=High On Fire To Enter The Studio - in Metal News |publisher=Metal Underground.com |access-date=September 10, 2010}}</ref> Later that month, following the news of the new album, High on Fire announced a tour with Mastodon, Dethklok, and Converge. The tour spanned from October 2 to November 21.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=46852 |title=Dethklok and Mastodon Announce Massive US Tour - in Metal News |publisher=Metal Underground.com |access-date=September 10, 2010}}</ref>

In August 2009, the band went into post-production of the follow-up to ''Death Is This Communion'' at The Pass Studios in Los Angeles. The album artwork for the new album was released on January 7, 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=51835 |title=High On Fire Reveals New Album Artwork - in Metal News |publisher=Metal Underground.com |access-date=September 10, 2010}}</ref> On January 15, following the release of the album artwork, the song Frost Hammer was posted on the band's Myspace page,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=52114 |title=High On Fire Streaming New Song Online - in Metal News |publisher=Metal Underground.com |access-date=September 10, 2010}}</ref> and a video for the song was released on March 16, 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=54038 |title=High On Fire Posts New Music Video Online - in Metal News |publisher=Metal Underground.com |access-date=September 10, 2010}}</ref> High on Fire's fifth album ''Snakes for the Divine'' was formally released on February 23, 2010.

In March 2010, the band announced a headlining U.S. tour to promote the album; supporting bands for the tour include Priestess, Black Cobra, and Bison B.C.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.brooklynvegan.com/archives/2010/02/high_on_fire_-.html |title=High on Fire - new album (MP3) & 2010 tour dates w/ Priestess, Black Cobra & Bison B.C |website=Brooklynvegan.com|date=February 9, 2010 |access-date=November 3, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104163911/http://www.brooklynvegan.com/archives/2010/02/high_on_fire_-.html |archive-date=November 4, 2013 }}</ref> On April 6, 2010, the band announced they would be opening for Metallica for eight European shows.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.centurymedia.com/newsdetailed.aspx?IdNews=8607&IdCompany=3 |title=High On Fire: announces spring tour dates with METALLICA |website=Centurymedia.com |date=April 6, 2010 |access-date=November 3, 2013 |archive-date=February 3, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150203165532/http://www.centurymedia.com/newsdetailed.aspx?IdNews=8607&IdCompany=3 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 2010, the band was confirmed as being part of the soundtrack for Namco Bandai Games' 2010 remake of Splatterhouse. On April 3, 2012, High on Fire released their sixth studio album, ''De Vermis Mysteriis''. Metalsucks.net reviews editor Sammy O'Hagar argued that the band has "rebounded in epic fashion" since their last album, and that "Even for a band as esteemed as High on Fire, [''De Vermis Mysteriis''] is a career high point."<ref>{{cite web|last1=O'Hagar|first1=Sammy|title=High On Fire's De Vermis Mysteriis: The Best Metal Album With "Mysteriis" In The Title Not Made By Mayhem|url=http://www.metalsucks.net/2012/04/04/high-on-fires-de-vermis-mysteriis-the-best-metal-album-with-mysteriis-in-the-title-not-made-by-mayhem/|website=Metalsucks.net|date=April 4, 2012|access-date=June 14, 2015}}</ref>

High on Fire was scheduled to play the 2012 Mayhem Festival but dropped off the tour due to Matt Pike's health.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/news/46791-high-on-fire-cancel-tour-matt-pike-entering-rehab/ |title=High On Fire Cancel Tour, Matt Pike Entering Rehab |last=Pelly |first=Jenn |website=Pitchfork |date=June 8, 2012}}</ref> Pike returned to the band and they once again began touring in November 2012.

High on Fire's album ''Luminiferous'' became available in full for free streaming as a preview with NPR music on June 7, 2015, with the official release of the album nine days later on June 16.<ref name="npr-luminiferous">{{cite web|last1=Begrand|first1=Adrien|title=First Listen: High On Fire, 'Luminiferous'|url=https://www.npr.org/2015/06/07/412028493/first-listen-high-on-fire-luminiferous|website=NPR.org|date=June 7, 2015 |access-date=June 14, 2015}}</ref> ''Luminiferous'' is the second High on Fire album in a row produced by Converge guitarist Kurt Ballou. NPR reviewer Adrien Begrand credits Kurt Ballou with "helping rejuvenate the band's sound" on their previous album, and praises the album as evidence of High on Fire's consistency, fueled by the "right combination of adherence to formula and subtle experimentation."<ref name="npr-luminiferous" /> Dan Epstein, writing for Rolling Stone, concurs that "one could definitely make the case that [''Luminiferous''] is High on Fire's finest album yet."<ref>{{cite web|last1=Epstein|first1=Dan|title=High on Fire Talk Aliens, Acid Trips and Why New Album 'Doesn't Suck'|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/high-on-fire-talk-aliens-acid-trips-and-why-new-album-doesnt-suck-20150608|website=Rollingstone.com|date=June 8, 2015|access-date=June 14, 2015}}</ref>

At the 61st Grammy Awards held in February 2019, High on Fire won a Grammy for "Best Metal Performance" for their song "Electric Messiah".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/news/high-fire-win-best-metal-performance-electric-messiah-2019-grammys|title=High On Fire Win Best Metal Performance|date=February 1, 2019|website=Grammy.com|access-date=February 11, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://loudwire.com/high-on-fire-best-metal-performance-win-2019-grammys/|title=High on Fire Win Best Metal Performance at 2019 Grammys|website=Loudwire|date=February 10, 2019 |access-date=February 11, 2019}}</ref>

Drummer and co-founder Des Kensel announced his departure from the band on July 26, 2019,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/high-on-fire-founding-drummer-des-kensel-announces-departure-after-21-years/|title=High on Fire Founding Drummer Des Kensel Announces Departure After 21 Years|website=Pitchfork|date=July 25, 2019|access-date=November 3, 2019}}</ref> and he was temporarily replaced by Chris Maggio. Big Business and ex-Melvins drummer Coady Willis ultimately became High on Fire's new drummer in June 2021.<ref name="hofcoady">{{cite web |last1=Kennelty |first1=Greg |title=HIGH ON FIRE Recruits Drummer Coady Willis (BIG BUSINESS, Ex-MELVINS) |url=https://metalinjection.net/news/high-on-fire-recruits-drummer-coady-willis-big-business-ex-melvins |website=Metal Injection |date=June 21, 2021 |access-date=2021-07-02}}</ref> With the new lineup, the band recorded a cover of the Motörhead song "Iron Fist", which was released in 2022 on the tribute album ''Löve Me Förever: A Tribute to Motörhead''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/motorhead-tribute-album-love-me-forever-announced-3025180|title=Motörhead tribute album 'Löve Me Förever' announced|website=NME|date=August 21, 2021|access-date=March 28, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.revolvermag.com/music/high-fires-matt-pike-favorite-mot%C3%B6rhead-album-wild-first-lemmy-meeting|title=HIGH ON FIRE'S MATT PIKE ON FAVORITE MOTÖRHEAD ALBUM, WILD FIRST LEMMY MEETING|website=Revolver|date=April 27, 2022|access-date=March 28, 2023}}</ref>

On February 16, 2024, High on Fire announced their ninth studio album, ''Cometh the Storm''. It was released on April 19, and the single "Burning Down" was released along with the album's announcement, along with the album's title track being released as a single later.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metalsucks.net/2024/02/16/high-on-fire-announce-new-album-cometh-the-storm-unleash-single-burning-down/|publisher=MetalSucks.net|title=High On Fire Announce New Album Cometh the Storm, Unleash Single "Burning Down"|access-date=March 24, 2024|date=Feb 16, 2024}}</ref>

In October 2024, Ben Koller joined the band as a live drummer for their European and UK tour, due to prior commitments of the primary drummer, Coady Willis.

==Members== {{col-begin}} {{col-2}} ===Current members=== * Matt Pike – guitars (1998–present), vocals (1998–present) * Jeff Matz – bass (2006–present) * Ben Koller – drums (2025–present)

{{col-2}} ===Former members=== * Des Kensel – drums (1998, 1998–2019) * Karl Larson – guitars (1998) * Ron – bass (1998) * George Rice – vocals (1998), bass (1998–2004) * Joe Preston – bass (2004–2006) * Coady Willis – drums (2021–2025)

===Former touring members=== * Nick Parks – drums (2019, 2019) * Chris Maggio – drums (2019–2021) {{col-end}}

===Timeline=== {{#tag:timeline| ImageSize = width:700 height:auto barincrement:18 PlotArea = left:75 bottom:80 top:0 right:15 Alignbars = justify DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy Period = from:01/01/1998 till:{{#time:m/d/Y}} TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy

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BackgroundColors = bars:bars Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:4 ScaleMajor = increment:2 start:1999 ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1999

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PlotData= width:11 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(10,-4) bar:Matt from:08/01/1998 till:end color:vocals width:3 bar:Matt from:start till:end color:guitars bar:Karl from:start till:08/01/1998 color:guitars bar:Ron from:start till:08/01/1998 color:bass bar:George from:03/01/1998 till:08/01/1998 color:vocals bar:George from:08/01/1998 till:07/01/2004 color:bass bar:Joe from:07/01/2004 till:03/01/2006 color:bass bar:Jeff from:03/01/2006 till:end color:bass bar:Des from:start till:06/01/1998 color:drums bar:Des from:08/01/1998 till:07/25/2019 color:drums bar:Nick from:05/01/2019 till:05/15/2019 color:drums bar:Nick from:05/01/2019 till:05/15/2019 color:sess width:3 bar:Nick from:07/25/2019 till:08/16/2019 color:drums bar:Nick from:07/25/2019 till:08/16/2019 color:sess width:3 bar:Chris from:09/01/2019 till:06/01/2021 color:drums bar:Chris from:09/01/2019 till:06/01/2021 color:sess width:3 bar:Coady from:06/01/2021 till:05/01/2025 color:drums bar:Ben from:05/01/2025 till:end color:drums }}

==Discography== {{Main|High on Fire discography}} *''The Art of Self Defense'' (2000) *''Surrounded by Thieves'' (2002) *''Blessed Black Wings'' (2005) *''Death Is This Communion'' (2007) *''Snakes for the Divine'' (2010) *''De Vermis Mysteriis'' (2012) *''Luminiferous'' (2015) *''Electric Messiah'' (2018) *''Bat Salad'' (2019) *''Cometh the Storm'' (2024)

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{commonscat}} * {{facebook}} * {{discogs artist}} * {{allmusic}} * [https://highonfire.bandcamp.com/music High on Fire] at Bandcamp

Category:Musical groups established in 1998 Category:Grammy Award winners Category:Heavy metal musical groups from California Category:Relapse Records artists Category:MNRK Music Group artists Category:American sludge metal musical groups Category:American stoner rock musical groups Category:American doom metal musical groups Category:Musical trios from California Category:Musical groups from Oakland, California