THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Grammy-winning hard rock power trio High On Fire — now celebrating their 25th anniversary — recorded Cometh The Storm at GodCity Studio in Salem, Mass., with producer Kurt Ballou. The 11-song effort — the band’s ninth studio album and first new music since 2018’s Electric Messiah — is the first to feature drummer Coady Willis (Big Business, Murder City Devils) alongside bassist Jeff Matz (Zeke), and singer-guitarist Matt Pike.
The first single Burning Down “kicks off with a classic Pike riff,” says Matz. “I think this song harkens back to the early High On Fire sound, but infused with fresh, new elements. It has a killer groove that you can really sink into. The body of the song took shape in our PNW rehearsal space, and we came up with the bridge/solo section and finalized the arrangement while we were at GodCity. Kurt Ballou’s input as a producer was also hugely helpful. His keen ears and fresh perspective were invaluable in making this album.”
Adds Pike: “I think this band’s always had a really good drive. It’s a different entity. It’s its own thing. Which, I think, makes all of us very proud to be a part of it. It’s not an average band.”
Shares Willis: “Being a fan of each other’s bands for a long time, it feels like all bets are off and anything goes, which is a liberating feeling. That feeling of making something out of all of these imperfect parts and it becomes this magical, weird, new idea that none of us ever anticipated. Against all odds. That’s the joy of it.”
Offers producer Ballou: “It’s interesting; whenever there’s a lineup change in a band, it can take a little while to rebuild. But it’s also an opportunity to reinvigorate the band, and I think that’s what’s happened here.”
Universally recognized as one of the most potent acts in music today, High On Fire create 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 have rewritten the hard rock rule book since its formation in 1998, forging a style and sound that is both critically celebrated and unique. Their previous studio album Electric Messiah won a Grammy for Best Metal Performance, placing High On Fire among the ranks of groups such as Black Sabbath, Motörhead and Metallica.”
