HIGH ON FIRE Forced To Cancel Their Mayhem Fest Appearance - Statement Available!

This just in: Californian Metallers HIGH ON FIRE announced today that they have been forced to cancel their appearance at this summer's Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival. The reason? Frontman and guitarist Matt Pike is entering rehab for alcoholism. The award-winning power trio (also featuring drummer Des Kensel and bassist Jeff Matz) will put its scheduled touring plans on hold indefinitely as Pike takes the necessary steps towards regaining his health. Here is a statement from the band:

"HIGH ON FIRE would like to thank everyone involved with the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival for the opportunity to be a part of this year's tour," said the band in a statement. "We regretfully will have to bow out as our friend and bandmate begins his recovery, but very much appreciate having been asked to be a part of this summer's festival run."

In other High On Fire news, it was announced earlier this week that the band will be releasing a reissue of the bands classic first recording 'The Art Of Self Defense'. The landmark long player has been completely remastered and enhanced by Brad Boatright (Sleep, Noothgrush, OFF! etc.) and includes the addition of the band’s first ever demo, two bonus 7” tracks as well as a 48-page booklet!

'The Art of Self Defense' Track Listing:

01. Baghdad
02. 10,000 Years
03. Blood From Zion
04. Last
05. Fireface
06. Master of Fists

Bonus 7” Tracks (2001):

07. Steel Shoe
08. The Usurper (Celtic Frost cover)

Self-Titled Demo (1999):

09. Blood From Zion
10. 10,000 Years
11. Master of Fists

Related links:
High On Fire's Official Site

HIGH ON FIRE To Reissue 'The Art Of Self Defense' Via Southern Lord Recordings!

Adding to their ever-growing catalog of sonic enormity, Southern Lord Recordings today is extremely pleased to announce the reissue of 'The Art Of Self Defense', the classic first recording from Oakland power trio HIGH ON FIRE. Set for release on July 31, the landmark long player has been completely remastered and enhanced by Brad Boatright (Sleep, Noothgrush, OFF! etc.) and includes the addition of the band’s first ever demo, two bonus 7” tracks as well as a 48-page booklet!







'The Art of Self Defense' Track Listing:

01. Baghdad
02. 10,000 Years
03. Blood From Zion
04. Last
05. Fireface
06. Master of Fists

Bonus 7” Tracks (2001):

07. Steel Shoe
08. The Usurper (Celtic Frost cover)

Self-Titled Demo (1999):

09. Blood From Zion
10. 10,000 Years
11. Master of Fists

'The Art Of Self Defense' was initially released in 2000 by Man’s Ruin Records. Featuring the collective energies of guitarist/vocalist Matt Pike, drummer Des Kensel, and bassist George Rice with producer Billy Anderson, the record billows at the seams with Pike’s instantly recognizable guitar tone, first unleashed during his days with stoner Metal behemoths Sleep. An audio hail storm of piledriving riffs, booming rhythms and Pike’s gruff vocal tirades , 'The Art Of Self Defense' remains a staple in HIGH ON FIRE’s renowned catalog of audio greatness.

“Listening to HIGH ON FIRE is a repetitive, near-relentless, harmful experience, an experience enhanced by the band’s thoroughly warped sound. Most of what you will hear on a HIGH ON FIRE release sounds like a hazy, resin-coated gurgle. The guitars are distorted to the point of melting, completely phased out and always a threat to your speakers. Adding to the foggy mayhem are the deafening drums and over-driven bass, both of which are robbed of much of their treble. The drums sound distant and sun burned, the bass sounds like the whore of Babylon’s vibrator. This is the true sound of throbbing gristle.” –

Related links:
High On Fire's Official Site

NYC Stoner Metallers THINNING THE HERD To Perform At The 420 Extravanganza With NEW Lineup!

New York's groove-heavy stoner Metal outfit THINNING THE HERD are preparing to record their sophomore full-length album in the Summer months ahead.

Following the release of their debut full-length 'Oceans Rise' -- out in April of 2011 via their own St. Mark's Records, and several months of regional shows last year -- THINNING THE HERD went through a major lineup shift. The trio is now comprised of NEW drummer is Rick Cimato (Nassau Chainsaw, God's Green Earth) and NEW bassist Wes Edmonds (Memphis Native, Engineer), rounded out by founding guitarist/vocalist Gavin Spielman. The revamped lineup is currently writing NEW material with plans of recording the album with Steve Albini this July.

In the meantime THINNING THE HERD have booked several NYC gigs over the coming weeks, including the Horns Up Rocks "420 Extravaganza" at Fontanas in Manhattan!

THINNING THE HERD Upcoming Shows:

- 4/20/2012 Fontana's: New York, NY
- 5/26/2012 Spike Hill: New York, NY @ Deli's Best of NYC Festival

Stay tuned for more info on the band's forthcoming recording plans as well as more tour dates to be announced throughout the Spring and Summer months.

Click here to RSVP!

Related links:
Click to vote for Thinning the Herd!
Thinning the Herd's Official Site
Thinning The Herd on MySpace

Thinning The Herd Nominated as NYC's Artist of the Month on The Deli Magazine

New York's own Thinning the Herd are currently busy giving out free ear candy to the masses with their unique psychedelic mix of Rock. After the release of their album titled "Ocean's Rise", the power trio has been hard at work spreading their musical craft. The band is now starting to see the fruit of their hard labor and The Deli Magazine has nominated the band via their online poll.

Click to vote for Thinning the Herd!

Thinning the Herd is:
Gavin Spielman - Guitar/Vocals
Nick Lee - Bass
Ben Proudman - Drums

Here are all the facts about Thinning the Herd's "Ocean Rise":

- Release date: April 5th, 2011 via NYC-based St. Mark’s Records.
- The record is titled "Ocean Rise" and it contains eight-song raging songs.
- Engineered by the masters at Seizures Palace in Brooklyn (Child Abuse, Swans, OvO, Dresden Dolls).
- The album surges with soul over its 35-minute life span, alive with groove and stories, inciting a trampled but triumphant sense of survival and good times.

Check out this bad-ass photo montage featuring "Thinning The Herd":


Related links:
Click to vote for Thinning the Herd!
Thinning the Herd's Official Site
Thinning The Herd on MySpace