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BLESSED BLACK WINGS
(Relapse)
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That looming rumble that seems to come from all sides is emanating from a brooding audio holocaust. Oakland’s High on Fire have always been a force to contend with, but Blessed Black Wings finds the band maturing in style, sound, and songwriting. Always able to work the droning epic, they have broadened their palette to include the spark of Motörhead-style metal, a major leap forward. The opening "Devilution" is devastating, and from the overwhelming power of the title track to the grave beauty of the instrumental "Sons of Thunder," the band never ease up. Given his high-end, super-noisy past productions, I was a little leery when I heard that Steve Albini was going to be at the helm of this album. But he brings out the best in High on Fire, and the result may be the yardstick by which all other metal albums are judged this year.
