High on Fire – Spitting Fire Vol 1 and Vol 2
Words by Ashlinn Nash
The concept of recording and releasing not one, but two live albums from one of the great pioneers within the sludge/stoner rock sound, is nothing but brilliant. With the use of highlights from the band’s ever evolving sound, back catalogue, which has contributed to the band becoming a go to band for inspiration from aspiring and established music makers. Originally, High on fire were formed from the remnants of Sleep with leading axe man Matt Pike, powerhouse drummer Des Kensel, and slick bassist George Rice. A band renowned for bringing a darker, heavier magnitude of sound to shows more than most.
The albums Spitting Fire Live Vols. 1 & 2 consist of two different shows during their most recent US tour recorded at New York City’s Bowery Ballroom and Brooklyn’s Music Hall of Williamsburg. Spitting Fire Vol. 1 has as a greater focus on the newer elements of the band’s current set list, with tracks such as opener “Serums of Liao” and “Furtile Green”, from newest studio offering “De Vermis Mysteriis”. While Spitting fire Vol. 2 has a more retrospective aspect with tracks such as, “Rumours of War,” “Fury Whip,” “Hung Drawn and Quartered” and strong focus on the final triumph “Snakes for the Divine” concluding the double bill’s mixture of heavy fuzz fuelled trips and crowd pleasers.
There is no doubt about the technical aspect of the first album – Spitting Fire Live, Vol 1 favouring the rawer sound that focuses on the rough side of the live material, honing in on the dynamisms of Matt Pike’s rugged vocals and swamping guitars over that of efforts to make it clean. While the Second half provides new production clarity making the drumming efforts of Des Kensel shine through to perfection, combined with the selection of tracks back catalogue, the double album concept works well in unison.
Overall, the double album is a rich display of the Oakland Originators dynamics and dexterity with the selections chosen from the back catalogue, that are both delivered with swish elasticity of the illustrious live sound of High on Fire that is both one that not only grows but stays in the mind and enjoyable sound structure. The double album offers the listener two self contained shows that are complimentary of each other and offers the listener that chance to embrace the live aspects of the show to an audience outside of its own original bubble and re-live that live experience of the bands full force while on their ipod or Vinyl player alike.
8/10
You can purchase the albums direct from the label Century Media here.
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