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.
The Falconist
High on Fire Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Some of us take the pain
And the monsters are real
I could lie but its hunting us
As the fates draw nearer
We foresee the absolute
And the jackal is here
You can see me flying above the rift
I could see a long way off
Like a lighthouse keeper
The insane and the somber crowd
When doom whispers here
Hunter from a slight of wing
I'm a run kill catcher
Saw things from a hawk eye view
Falls a prophet of flight
You can see me flying above the rift
Watch me diving, play the risks
You can see me flying
Watch me diving
From the wrist, the Falconist
A kill to make the day
Got a monsters feather
Think your gonna take me down
I'll win this for real
Having been on the higher ground a
And I shoot from the lever
I'm a bird of prey
And your kill in my eye
You can see me flying above the rift
Watch me diving, play the risks
You can see me flying
Watch me diving
From the wrist, the Falconist
Hooded raptors
Bow from perch to Earth
Creance kept val chatri viced
Alright
The great awakening and I don't feel better
Some of us take the pain
And the monsters are real
You can see me flying above the rift
Watch me diving, play the risks
You can see me flying
Watch me diving
From the wrist, the Falconist
We've lived a thousand years
And death had left alone
The Ḥashshāshīn's fate is forged
On deeds of golden thrones
The lyrics to High on Fire's song "The Falconist" are complex and full of symbolism, as is common in many metal songs. The first line speaks of a great awakening, which could refer to a spiritual or political awakening, or perhaps a metaphorical one. However, the next line contrasts this by saying that the singer still doesn't feel any better despite this awakening. This may suggest that the world is still full of pain and darkness, and that even a great awakening can't change that.
The following lines use the imagery of monsters and jackals to represent the frightening and dangerous forces in the world that we can't control. The singer admits that they could lie about these forces, perhaps by pretending they don't exist or by denying their impact on our world. However, the monsters are still hunting, and the fates are drawing nearer. This suggests a sense of impending doom or disaster that the singer is aware of but can't escape.
The chorus uses the imagery of flying and diving to represent a sense of freedom and risk-taking. The Falconist, as the singer is called, is a hunter who sees the world from a bird's-eye view and takes risks to catch his prey. The last few lines of the song take a turn towards historical references, mentioning the Ḥashshāshīn, who were a medieval Islamic sect famous for their use of assassination. This adds another layer of meaning to the song, suggesting that the risks and dangers the singer faces are not just abstract or metaphorical, but may be based on real historical events.
Line by Line Meaning
The great awakening and I don't feel better
Despite seeing the truth, the singer is not relieved and struggles with the consequences of newfound knowledge.
Some of us take the pain
Not everyone can handle the burden of the truth; some may choose to ignore it or seek refuge in lies and ignorance.
And the monsters are real
The harsh realities of life can be terrifying, and ignoring them will not make them go away.
I could lie but its hunting us
Trying to hide from the truth will only make it more dangerous and harder to escape from.
As the fates draw nearer
Time is running out, and the consequences of our past actions are catching up to us.
We foresee the absolute
We can see the end coming, and there is no way to avoid it.
And the jackal is here
Death is present and unavoidable; it is time to face the consequences of our actions.
You can see me flying above the rift
I am soaring above the chaos and destruction, seeing everything from a new and distant perspective.
Watch me diving, play the risks
I am unafraid of danger and willing to take risks to achieve my goals.
I could see a long way off
From my new perspective, I can see the future and what it holds in store.
Like a lighthouse keeper
I am guiding others toward safety and helping them navigate the dangers ahead.
The insane and the somber crowd
Even those who are unwell or grieving can see the truth and understand the gravity of the situation.
When doom whispers here
The end is near, and there is a sense of foreboding in the air.
Hunter from a slight of wing
I am a skilled predator, using my wings to hunt and catch my prey.
I'm a run kill catcher
I am quick and efficient, able to catch my prey with ease.
Saw things from a hawk eye view
From my aerial perspective, I am able to see everything in great detail and with great clarity.
Falls a prophet of flight
As I fall from the sky, I am a messenger, announcing the coming of something important.
A kill to make the day
Sometimes, violence is necessary to achieve a greater goal or to survive.
Got a monsters feather
I have defeated a dangerous foe and am now in possession of a valuable prize.
Think your gonna take me down
Others may try to stop me, but I am confident and determined to succeed.
I'll win this for real
I am not intimidated by the challenge and will emerge victorious.
Having been on the higher ground a
By being on the higher ground, I have an advantage over my opponents and a clearer view of the situation.
And I shoot from the lever
I am precise and accurate, able to hit my target with ease.
I'm a bird of prey
I am a hunter, a predator, and a force to be reckoned with.
And your kill in my eye
I have a target in sight, and I will not stop until it is eliminated.
Hooded raptors
These are predatory birds that hunt with stealth and precision.
Bow from perch to Earth
They swoop down from their high perches to launch an attack on their prey.
Creance kept val chatri viced
A reference to falconry, where a bird is tethered to a creance to train it to fly and return. The phrase means the bird is restrained and trained, ready to fly and capture its prey.
Alright
An expression of confidence, readiness, and determination to face the challenges ahead.
We've lived a thousand years
The singer has lived a long and eventful life, with many experiences and lessons learned.
And death had left alone
The singer has faced death before and survived, becoming stronger and wiser as a result.
The Ḥashshāshīn's fate is forged
A reference to a medieval order of assassins; their destiny is sealed by their actions and beliefs.
On deeds of golden thrones
Their legacy is based on their accomplishments and achievements, which are celebrated and remembered for generations to come.
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: DESMOND WAYNE KENSEL, JEFF PAUL MATZ, MATTHEW LANCE PIKE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind