Blessed Black Wings (Blessed Black Wings - High On Fire)

Member Name: Frankingsteins

Product:	Blessed Black Wings - High On Fire
Date:	23/07/08 (12 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Heavy and fast stoner doom.

Disadvantages: Repetitive song styles.

High on Fire were formed by vocalist and guitarist Matt Pike in the wake of Sleep, and this more recent band takes a heavier and faster approach to stoner doom metal, a far cry from the fuzzy atmosphere of bands such as Electric Wizard and comparable to the work of Dax Riggs, were he a bit more evil.

Pike's vocals are gravelly and completely suited to the heavy, down-tuned guitar tone he uses throughout, complimented by the hard-hitting drums on songs such as the title track. 'To Cross the Bridge' is convincingly hellish and finale 'Sons of Thunder' has a great atmosphere, but for the most part, the music is more concerned with a direct impact through heavy riffs and screaming solos over a persistent tone, which is what elevates it above the majority of hazy stoner doom. 'Cometh Down Hessian' threatens to be a little more melodic before once again collapsing into a doom onslaught, and every song is led by powerful guitar lines.

1. Devilution
2. The Face of Oblivion
3. Brother in the Wind
4. Cometh Down Hessian
5. Blessed Black Wings
6. Anointing of Seer
7. To Cross the Bridge
8. Silver Back
9. Sons of Thunder

Summary: High on Fire's third album (2005).