The Oakland, California band formed in 1998 and released 'The Art of Self Defense' on Man's Ruin Records, in March 2000. After Man's Ruin Records folded, the album was re-released via Tee-Pee Records on CD and vinyl with new artwork and two bonus tracks: Steel Shoe (an original) and The Ursurper (Celtic Frost).
Following, the band signed with Relapse Records and released 'Surrounded by Thieves' in 2002, with production help from Billy Anderson (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Anderson_%28music%29). Founding member and bass player George Rice, would leave the band shortly before recording the next album.
In 2004, Relapse and Throne Records released the 'Live from the Contamination Festival' CD and LP (respectively) which was recorded in Philadelphia, PA. The CD is limited to 2000 copies and the LP only 1000.
'Blessed Black Wings', produced by Steve Albini, was released in early 2005, and was their first and only to feature Joe Preston (Earth, Melvins, Thrones) on bass. The vinyl version as well as the Japanese CD version of this album had the Judas Priest song Rapid Fire as a bonus track.
In early 2006, Joe Preston left the band and was replaced by Jeff Matz of Zeke. High On Fire then went on to release the Jack Endino (Nirvana, Soundgarden) produced and recorded album, 'Death is This Communion,' in September 2007. To celebrate this release, and the start of their tour for the album, the band played a free show at San Francsico's Amoeba records.
The band released their fifth full-length album Snakes For The Divine in February 2010 through E1 music. The album was produced by Greg Fidelman and stripped away much of the acoustic textures and layering of the previous album, leaving a monolithic heavy sound to the record.
On April 3rd, 2012, High on Fire released their sixth studio album, De Vermis Mysteriis.
Cyclopian Scape
High on Fire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lemurian throne taken and usurped by the alien drones, controlled and honed
Atlantian keys sunken and destroyed by catastrophe, left wandering
Bloodline kings slither down through society's reptoid dreams
Cataclysm to the elder tribes - annunaki have survived
Continents underwater shrine - ocean vaults holding time
Say ye grace unto the serpent line - unveil curses and their lies
Contemplate the lenghts they'll go to rule - as there fangs dig into you
The lyrics of High on Fire's song "Cyclopian Scape" delve into the idea of ancient reptilian species and their influence on human history. The song discusses a crossbreed between a reptilian race and humans that occurred during the "golden age," resulting in a "human haze." The lyrics also mention the usurpation of the Lemurian throne by alien drones and the destruction of the Atlantian keys.
The chorus of the song urges the listener to contemplate the depths the reptilian beings will go to rule, as their fangs dig into the listener. This imagery of reptilian overlords ruling over humans is a common theme in conspiracy theories, with some theorists believing in the existence of a reptilian elite class that controls the world behind the scenes.
Overall, "Cyclopian Scape" presents a dark and ominous view of history, suggesting that powerful beings have been manipulating humanity for their own ends for thousands of years.
Line by Line Meaning
Reptile race crossbred down through the golden age, human haze
During the ancient golden age, reptilian beings mated with humans resulting in a hybrid race that left a foggy past.
Lemurian throne taken and usurped by the alien drones, controlled and honed
Alien drones invaded and seized the royal throne of Lemuria, controlling and perfecting the people.
Atlantian keys sunken and destroyed by catastrophe, left wandering
Following a catastrophic event, the keys to the Atlantian civilization were destroyed and those who survived were left to wander aimlessly.
Bloodline kings slither down through society's reptoid dreams
The inherited reigns of power are passed down through generations in a society controlled by reptilian beings.
Cataclysm to the elder tribes - annunaki have survived
Devastation was wrought upon the elder tribes as the Annunaki survived and continued to exercise their power.
Continents underwater shrine - ocean vaults holding time
The underwater shrines of sunken continents are hidden in ocean vaults, standing as monuments of time and history.
Say ye grace unto the serpent line - unveil curses and their lies
Show respect to the reptilian bloodline and reveal the curses and lies that they propagate.
Contemplate the lenghts they'll go to rule - as there fangs dig into you
Ponder the extent to which they will go to maintain their power over society, even as they exert control over and harm individuals.
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY
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