It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster ride of late for Oakland, California’s High On Fire.
Their 2018 release Electric Messiah won a well-deserved Grammy award for Best Metal Performance a matter of weeks after the band was forced to cancel their touring plans (for the second time) due to frontman Matt Pike’s risk of losing part of his foot due to complications from diabetes. Fast forward to December and Pike’s medical issues properly sorted, High On Fire has made their triumphant return for a hometown show at Berkeley’s UC Theatre.
Creeping Death and Devil Master warmed up the sold-out room but things kicked into high gear for Power Trip’s raging set. These Texans’ special brand of thrash has developed a strong following in the Bay Area and the pit was flat-out bonkers. When their set finally wrapped, there was a mass exodus from the pit of sweaty dudes looking for fresh air and maybe a refreshing beverage leaving the question dangling—how the hell is High On Fire going to follow that!?!?
Taking the stage, it became quickly clear that High On Fire were more than up to the task. The ever-shirtless Matt Pike looked great and delivered a downright ferocious performance that saw the pit refilling quickly and rising to the occasion. There’s a reason why this band has not only persevered for over two decades, but has received industry accolades—they are simply damn good. And aside from some jokester tossing rubber toes on stage, there was no sign of Pike’s ailments from which he seems to have emerged stronger than ever.
CREEPING DEATH
DEVIL MASTER
POWER TRIP
HIGH ON FIRE
HIGH ON FIRE SETLIST
Blood From Zion
Spewn From the Earth
Steps of the Ziggurat/House of Enlil
Rumors of War / DII
Speedwolf
Fertile Green
Devilution
Carcosa
Baghdad
Freebooter
Fury Whip
Snakes for the Divine
Electric Messiah
