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.
Slave the Hive
High on Fire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Spiritual death, just a satanic catch, just a new god of lent
Dimensional screen, just a gospel to squeeze, just attention to seize
Plagerant muse, just a part for the fool, just a global epidemic
Flock of bats, unearthly addicts
Slave the hive, the clever bastards
Reading the lines just to pay your daily tides, just to bleed the vacant line
Drawn to your grid, just a small reckless sin, just a life changing crypt
Gambit aflame, just to keep the cattle lame, your lobotomy is here
Flock of bats, unearthly addicts
Slave the hive, the clever bastards
They got us wired to the reptile brain, your life is not the same, this world is insane
Played by the man, just a torturous hand, executing his plans
Taunt you and tease, at the end of the chain, just accepting the game
Ever think twice in your evil device, how the programs concise
Digital tweak, the religion to seek, just a stab from the creeps
"Slave the Hive" by High on Fire is a song about the psychological manipulation and control of people, as well as the those in power that are responsible for it. For instance, the lyrics "Reading your thoughts, just a bird in a cage, just a rat in a maze" describes the feeling of being trapped, like a bird in a cage or a rat in a maze, where one's thoughts are not their own, but manipulated and controlled by others. The "dimensional screen" and "gospel to squeeze" show how people are bombarded with information, often controlling and manipulating their thoughts and actions.
Moreover, the song talks about the dark side of religion, where people are caught up in a "new god of lent", and become a "plagerant muse" for the "global epidemic" of religious fanaticism. The "flock of bats" and "unearthly addicts" describes the brainwashed people who follow blindly, ultimately leading to the metaphorical enslavement and manipulation of society, as seen in the line "Slave the hive, the clever bastards".
Furthermore, the song shows the bitterness towards those in power, who have programmed people's minds according to their whim. The line "played by the man, just a torturous hand, executing his plans" shows the disdain held towards those in power, who have controlled and manipulated the masses to their will. The song ends with an eerie line, "just a stab from the creeps", which emphasizes the feeling of unease and discomfort.
Line by Line Meaning
Reading your thoughts, Just a bird in a cage, Just a rat in a maze
Being held captive and manipulated, with no escape or direction, like a helpless animal in a cage or maze.
Spiritual death, just a satanic catch, just a new god of lent
Being lured into a false religion, resulting in spiritual death and exploitation by a deceptive and manipulative figure.
Dimensional screen, just a gospel to squeeze, just attention to seize
Being bombarded with false information and propaganda through various media channels, with the intention of manipulating and controlling one's beliefs and actions.
Plagerant muse, just a part for the fool, just a global epidemic
Being influenced by unoriginal and uninspired art and culture, leading to a general lack of creativity and critical thinking in society.
Flock of bats, unearthly addicts
A metaphor for people who have become addicted to the same manipulative and exploitative systems and beliefs, like a flock of creatures drawn to the same source of sustenance.
Slave the hive, the clever bastards
A call to action to break free from these systems and take control of one's own life, and a condemnation of those who continue to perpetuate and benefit from these manipulations.
Reading the lines just to pay your daily tides, just to bleed the vacant line
Being forced to comply with societal and financial expectations, even if it means sacrificing one's own values and authenticity.
Web tainted minds, the majestic tribal sign, just inflicting mental crimes
Being indoctrinated into a false sense of identity and community, with the intention of controlling and exploiting one's loyalty and trust.
Drawn to your grid, just a small reckless sin, just a life changing crypt
Being seduced by the promises and illusions of the systems and beliefs that enslave us, which ultimately lead to a loss of freedom and identity.
Gambit aflame, just to keep the cattle lame, your lobotomy is here
Being manipulated by those in power through means such as political games and media control, with the intention of keeping the masses ignorant and complacent.
They got us wired to the reptile brain, your life is not the same, this world is insane
Being conditioned to operate on a primitive and instinctual level, leading to a loss of higher reasoning and empathy. This world is a chaotic and destructive place as a result.
Played by the man, just a torturous hand, executing his plans
Being controlled and exploited by those in power, who have their own selfish and harmful agendas.
Taunt you and tease, at the end of the chain, just accepting the game
Being taunted and manipulated by those in power, but ultimately accepting and perpetuating the same systems and beliefs that enslave us.
Ever think twice in your evil device, how the programs concise
Questioning the morality and consequences of our actions and beliefs, and recognizing the manipulative and deceptive tactics of those in power.
Digital tweak, the religion to seek, just a stab from the creeps
Being coerced to adopt a certain way of life and belief system that is perpetuated through digital media, with the intention of exploiting and controlling us. This is a malicious act.
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: DESMOND WAYNE KENSEL, JEFF PAUL MATZ, MATTHEW LANCE PIKE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Indiebue
I find myself preferring the album version. The way the guitar – for lack of a better word – snarls is just awesome.
Daniele Terzi
Slayer style.... love it :-**
I don't suffer insufferable people. VKapatos
I love both versions.
Eliza deth
Doc: you have an addictive personality
James McGeoy Jr.
Great to work out to.
Eternal
Fear the Walking Dead - Troy !
basically hell
Yep
myamyack
Ok, now i can go to work...
donSparda
This like listening to Entombed, and i like that:=D
Brandon Lambert
Hey ! i can hear a voice at the last second ! x)