High on Fire
Electric Messiah
(Entertainment One)
2/5
Each song on Electric Messiah, Oakland metal band High on Fire’s eighth album, is okay individually; however, the album does not work cohesively. One song sounds like thrash, the next has hints of fantasy, and it sounds like the band has not found its sound, even after all these years.
The instrumentation sounds great, as is befitting of an experienced band of skilled musicians, but the vocals are completely overshadowed. You can barely hear the singer, who should be the heart of the band, and this detracts heavily from the emotion of the songs. If you’re going to have such skilled bandmates, capable of playing right alongside some of the best metal bands of all time, make sure you’re singing at a level that elevates your music.
High on Fire’s music is too reminiscent of other well-known bands and just made me want to listen to those bands instead.