High on Fire -- Austin, TX -- March 13th, 2012

smearCampaign · #1 03-13-2012, 10:44 PM

Venue: Emo's East

High on Fire:
1. Spiritual Rites (new song)
2. (new song)
3. Eyes and Teeth

4. (new song)
5. Devilution
6. Face of Oblivion
7. (new song)
8. Speedwolf
9. Blood from Zion

10. Snakes for the Divine

I got to Emo’s about 30 minutes before doors since it was a free show and I wasn’t sure how early people would show up to get in line. When I arrived there were only a couple dozen people waiting. I met up with fellow metalsetlister cojibo in line and we shot the shit about past High on Fire shows. Before long they opened the doors and we were let in to see that they had constructed a skateboard quarter pipe in the venue. That was pretty entertaining because you could choose between watching the bands or checking out the skaters. Houston’s Venomous Maximus kicked off the night with some pretty traditional metal in the vein of Pentagram or Sabbath. Next was Austin based instrumental metal band Eagle Claw. Their epic sounds were able to get the first pits of the night going. Unfortunately, for the second year in a row, Rwake has had to cancel all of their SXSW appearances. However the frontman for Rwake, CT, brought his other band Iron Tongue to fill in. They seemed to be the least known band of the night, but their brand of southern metal was engaging however the crowd seemed to want something heavier. Remember Sean from White Zombie? Her current band is Star & Dagger who are a blues rock based metal band with traditional rock female vocals (think Joan Jett but not as good). They packed in a lot of people but the music didn’t really do it for me.

Finally the ever-shirtless Matt Pike emerged and said something along the lines of “are you ready to have your ass kicked by our rhythm section?”, and he was not kidding. The new songs have some real serious drumming and low end bass power providing a sonic beatdown to accompany Mr. Pike’s ripping guitar work. While I do love the DITC album, I really can’t complain about the set list at all. Matt introduced Blood from Zion by saying it was the first song High on Fire ever wrote. All in all an amazing show. Unfortunately the next night at the MetalSucks showcase was not as enjoyable, through no fault of the band, due to sound issues that plagued most of the bands on the bill.

mankvill · #2 03-13-2012, 10:50 PM

Onioner · #3 03-13-2012, 10:59 PM

No Rumors of War? Hell, nothing from Death is this Communion?!

slapguitarer · #4 03-14-2012, 06:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Onioner

No Rumors of War? Hell, nothing from Death is this Communion?!

Well this is one of many performances at SXSW, so I'm sure they'll throw in some material from DITC at other shows.

VoidFlame · #5 03-14-2012, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slapguitarer

Well this is one of many performances at SXSW, so I'm sure they'll throw in some material from DITC at other shows.

This, and any High on Fire set is a great set.

InFlamesOfBirchmen · #6 03-14-2012, 08:52 AM

HoF has been one of my favorite bands ever since I first saw them at Gigantour '08. Even my mom liked them. This seems like a pretty good set, and I'm looking forward to hearing the new songs. Anyone planning on getting the sets for the other shows?

Natrlhi · #7 03-14-2012, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VoidFlame

This, and any High on Fire set is a great set.

Exactly. High on Fire cannot play a shitty setlist. It's physically and mathematically impossible.

That said, I agree it is strange not to see "Rumors" or "Hessian" in there.

...but fuck yeah "Face of Oblivion". I don't believe I've ever heard that one live. That must've fucking ripped.

bigguytoo9 · #8 03-14-2012, 11:57 AM

one of the new songs was probably "Madness Of An Architect"

smearCampaign · #9 03-16-2012, 08:23 AM

I added a review to the first post.

Quote:

Originally Posted by InFlamesOfBirchmen

HoF has been one of my favorite bands ever since I first saw them at Gigantour '08. Even my mom liked them. This seems like a pretty good set, and I'm looking forward to hearing the new songs. Anyone planning on getting the sets for the other shows?

They played three new ones and Devilution before I ducked out of the MetalSucks show because the sound was so shitty. I may or may not catch them today, so I will see what I can do.

InFlamesOfBirchmen · #10 03-17-2012, 04:44 PM

Good review. What does Matt have against shirts, though? Right before they played their set on Gigantour, I was in line for some water with whom I just assumed was a odiferous, shirtless stoner. You can imagine my surprise when said stoner got on stage and kicked some major ass.