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HIGH ON FIRE was formed by guitarist Matt Pike in late summer 1998; a
scant six months after the breakup of his previous band, the enigmatic
stoner-metal legend SLEEP. Formed out of the need to simply play guitar
again, Pike jammed with several people before deciding on a line-up of
powerhouse drummer Des Kensel and longtime guitarist friend George Rice,
who made the switch to bass to round out the trio.
HIGH ON FIRE began 2004 by being named one of Alternative Press Magazine's "25 Most Important Metal Bands." The band then announced another U.S. tour, this time headlining the first of several planned 2004 Relapse Contamination label tours beginning March, 2004. HIGH ON FIRE -- who debuted new material from the forthcoming follow up to their Relapse debut 'Surrounded By Thieves' -- were joined by recent Relapse signees ZEKE and instrumental trio DYSRHYTHMIA. The tour also included a stop at the 2004 Relapse Records SXSW showcase.
In the summer of 2004, HIGH ON FIRE underwent a lineup change as the band was joined by bassist Joe Preston (THRONES / ex-MELVINS). Preston replaced long time HIGH ON FIRE bassist George Rice, joining the power trio alongside Pike and Kensel.
Preston made his live debut with HIGH ON FIRE on an August, 14 city trek that took the band to Chicago, IL where they enterd Electrical Audio Studios with engineer Steve Albini (NEUROSIS, JON SPENCER BLUES EXPLOSION, NIRVANA) to record the follow up to 2002's heralded "Surrounded by Thieves". The forthcoming HIGH ON FIRE album, titled, "Blessed Black Wings" is slated for a February, 2005 release date via Relapse.
HIGH ON FIRE are a supersonic exercise in conquest by volume. Equal parts molten metal and earthquake panic, HIGH ON FIRE's MOTORHEAD-meets-SLAYER roar is outrageously loud and absolutely punishing. With Blessed Black Wings, guitarist / vocalist Matt Pike (ex-SLEEP) unleashes a devastating combination of bombastic guitar and howling war cries, weaving fantastical tales of supernatural beasts, forgotten battles and rivers of blood over an unstoppable bass and drum assault. HIGH ON FIRE are a class unto themselves, manhandling rock music while locking into grooves that transcend time.
WEBSITE: High on Fire
Emo outfit Planes Mistaken for Stars formed in Peoria, IL, originally consisting of singer/guitarist Gared O'Donnell, guitarist Matt Bellinger, bassist Aaron Wise and drummer Mike Ricketts. Upon signing to Deep Elm, the group made its recorded debut in early 1999 on the label compilation The Moment of Truth: The Emo Diaries, Chapter Three, releasing a self-titled EP later that year. Wise was replaced by bassist Jamie Drier soon after, and following a move to Denver, CO, Planes Mistaken for Stars resurfaced on a split EP with labelmates Appleseed Cast and Race Car Riot. The full-length Knife in the Marathon appeared in early 2000.
WEBSITE: Planes Mistaken for Stars
Hailing from Savannah, GA, Kylesa features ex- members of the hardcore band Damad. Kylesa continue to move in their modern Damad influence musical direction, but with more intense sonic blasts of noise and distortion.
WEBSITE: Kylsea