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.
Ethereal
High on Fire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like moths to ancient light - follow ascend in flight
Fall through the ether lakes - dimension time and space
I knock on astral walls - gliding through daemon halls
It's black wings wrap around me - fires glow red and white
A metamorphis - until the end of time
Cocooned and made to slumber - the beings that come from darkness
A resurrection passage - awakes the armies under earth
A fate unknown by a future - a scepter raised of hades elders
The lyrics of High on Fire's song Ethereal explore the world of mysticism and magick. The opening lines suggest a skilled and intelligent individual capable of magick, holding the key to sacred doors. The reference to moths following ancient light portrays a sense of direction and purpose, as if this individual is leading others through mystical paths. The idea of falling through ether lakes transcends dimensions of time and space, indicating a journey beyond the physical realm. The following line, "knocking on astral walls", furthers this concept of a transformative journey.
The second half of the song explores the metamorphosis experienced by the individual, as well as the beings that come from darkness. The lyrics suggest that through the arduous journey, the individual is cocooned and made to slumber before being resurrected into a new form. The "armies under earth" awaken, hinting at a battle between good and evil, light and darkness. Finally, the individual reaches the open steps where he must answer abyssious voice, perhaps indicating that the journey had been guided by a higher power or voice. The scepter raised of hades elders, the last line of the song, leaves the audience with a sense of uncertainty about the fate of this individual, suggesting that the journey may never truly end.
Line by Line Meaning
The skill and mind of magick - holding the mystic doors
Using the power of magic, one can access mystical realms.
Like moths to ancient light - follow ascend in flight
The allure of ancient knowledge draws people towards it relentlessly.
Fall through the ether lakes - dimension time and space
Traversing through mystical dimensions can transcend the barriers of time and space.
I knock on astral walls - gliding through daemon halls
Exploring otherworldly realms can create both roadblocks and opportunities.
It's black wings wrap around me - fires glow red and white
Darkness has the power to both ensnare and enlighten.
A metamorphis - until the end of time
Transformation can be a lifelong process that continues until death.
Cocooned and made to slumber - the beings that come from darkness
Dark entities can lie dormant for long periods before manifesting themselves.
A resurrection passage - awakes the armies under earth
A revival ritual can reawaken powerful forces that have been lying dormant.
I walk the open steps to answer - abyssious voice leads me onward
Following a dark calling can lead one towards an unknown path.
A fate unknown by a future - a scepter raised of hades elders
A path chosen today can impact one's future and potentially hold great power.
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY
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