Review by Brian McLean
Pennsylvania based Relapse Records has issued a fifth release for the Live at the Contamination Festival limited pressing CD series with High on Fire recorded live on January 18, 2003.
Unlike the other releases pressed for the Contamination series, from Bongzilla, Burnt by the Sun, Dysrhythmia, and Daylight Dies, High on Fire, one of Relapse’s heavy hitters, saw a strictly limited run of 2000 discs in anticipation of higher sales instead of standard 1000. This is only available through the Relapse Records website.
The eight track disc was recorded when High on Fire was touring in support of their 2002 Relapse release Surrounded by Thieves with five songs, “Nemesis,” “Razorhoof,” “Speedwolf,” “Eyes and Teeth,” and “Hung, Drawn and Quartered,” being pulled from the album.
The opening track, “Blood of Zion” comes from HoF’s 2000 full length debut Art of Self Defense followed by “To Cross the Bridge,” which was unreleased at the time but eventually saw the light of day on the band’s most recent release Blessed Black Wings.
The final track of the disc is a cover of Venom’s “Witching Hour” from the 1981 Welcome to Hell debut album that shattered speakers and ear drums while giving heavy metal a whole new look and sound. High on Fire does this song justice and it’s a fitting conclusion for a heavy as hell set captured at the Contamination Festival.
The line up of High on Fire on the disc differs from the current band member listing. Performing at the Contamination Festival was founding member and guitarist Mike Pike, recruited drummer Des Kensel and longtime friend George Rice who was a guitar player, but switched to bass to complete the line up. Rice has since moved on thus being replaced by current HoF bassist Joe Preston.
Live at the Contamination Festival is as solid and heavy as it gets. Fans of the mighty Motorhead and Black Sabbath will begin to salivate once the disc starts spinning. It’s a rough rock and roll release that hits with a thunderous sound. Even electrical stage noises from guitar chords being plugged in enhance the disc. There’s been no polishing done to tidy up the release. It’s as true to a live recording as it gets.
There’s a fire burning bright in this power trio’s future. Indeed, High on Fire may just be the new Gods of Thunderous Rock and Roll.