High on Fire to Reissue The Art of Self-Defense for Band’s 25th Anniversary; New LP in 2024
As Matt Pike opines in the behind-the-scenes clip at the bottom of this post — which looks like it could be a snippet taken from a feature-length documentary that would’ve been well earned on the band’s part even before they snagged a Grammy — laughing, he says, “It’s definitely a specific kind of person who’s going to listen to a High on Fire record.” And so it is. The band hasn’t been without controversy in terms of Pike‘s reading habits, but when you’ve been a specific kind of crazy for a long time and then all of a sudden a whole bunch of new people start paying attention, that kind of thing is going to get noticed in a different light. Matt Pike talkin’ crazy shit? Points for consistency. Have you ever read the lyrics?
Anyhoozle, cool that the band are reissuing The Art of Self-Defense, but the big question being answered here as I see it is the status of their next record, which is done. Hooray for that, and I mean it. Not only are they due, but that their next LP will arrive in reasonable time for them to take it out and say, ‘We’ve been a band for 25 years and we still destroy everybody,’ will no doubt be a good bit of fun for them and anyone else lucky enough to be in the path of their aural battery. A quarter-century of High on Fire isn’t nothing, and I look forward to hearing Coady Willis drumming on a record after seeing him with the band live twice last year. New material, so much the better.
The PR wire has info on that reissue, confirmation of a 2024 release for the next LP, and a reminder that it was Frank Kozik who put out their first release. Behold:
High on Fire Announces 25th Anniversary Celebration, ‘The Art of Self Defense’ Deluxe Reissue
Grammy-Winning Rock Band Completes Work on New LP!
Iconic U.S. rock band, High on Fire, celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2023 and announces plans to honor a quarter-century of creation with a special slate of rejoiceful revelry. The GRAMMY Award-winning group, featuring bassist Jeff Matz, guitarist/vocalist Matt Pike, and new drummer Coady Willis (Big Business, Melvins, Murder City Devils) will bookend the jubilee with a reissue of its long-out-of-print debut, ‘The Art of Self Defense’, and the release of its as-yet-untitled new album, set to drop in early 2024. In between, fans can expect a slew of live performances spotlighting specific eras from the trailblazing band’s historic career.
On August 4, MNRK Heavy will reissue High on Fire’s debut album, ‘The Art of Self Defense’. Originally released in 2000 on the late Frank Kozik’s now defunct Man’s Ruin Records, ‘The Art of Self Defense’ introduced the world to the towering trio and modded the template for what constituted modern-day heavy music. The celebratory reissue is completely remixed by original producer, Billy Anderson, remastered by Justin Weis, and boasts a new alternative cover, expanded gatefold artwork, and the band’s self-titled demo as bonus tracks. ‘The Art of Self Defense’ deluxe reissue, which will be available on LP in a smorgasbord of colored vinyl variants, is available for pre-order at this location.
In additional news, High on Fire has completed work on its new, untitled ninth studio album and successor to 2018’s ‘Electric Messiah’, which netted the group its first GRAMMY for Best Metal Performance. Recorded in Salem, Massachusetts with longtime producer Kurt Ballou, the album is the first to feature drummer Willis, who joined High on Fire in 2021. Additional details will be announced as available.
“High on Fire wishes to thank everyone that has supported our efforts over the last 25 years, including the labels, road crews, friends, and families, but most importantly the FANS,” says the band collectively. “We are looking forward to celebrating this milestone with everyone and sharing new music soon.”
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