| The Art of Self Defense | ||
|---|---|---|
 Cover for the original CD. Tee Pee Records version below. | ||
| Studio album by High on Fire | ||
| Released | March 7 2000 | |
| Recorded | Autumn 1999 at Sharkbite Studio in Oakland, California | |
| Genre | Stoner Metal, Sludge Metal, Doom Metal | |
| Length | 43:18 (Original | |
| Label | Man's Ruin Records Tee Pee Records Southern Lord Records | |
| Producer | High on Fire, Billy Anderson | |
| High on Fire chronology | ||
| High on Fire (1999) |
The Art of Self Defense (2000) |
Surrounded By Thieves (2002) |
| Alternative Cover | ||
| ||
The Art of Self Defense is the debut album by High on Fire. Recorded in 1999 and released in 2000, it would establish a sound that, while rooted in heavy metal and sludge,[1] it would be a drastic departure from the Black Sabbath influenced stoner metal of Matt Pike's previous band Sleep. The Art of Self Defense quickly made it's mark on the doom metal scene and still remains a favorite with fans, having been reissued and expanded on in 2001 and 2012, respectively.
Background[]
Following release of the band's first demo in 1999 and the buzz it would attain, High on Fire would record in the Fall of that year with Billy Anderson.[2] On 7 March 2000 Man's Ruin Records would release The Art of Self Defense on CD.[3] Upon it's initial release (and later 2001 reissue) The Art of Self Defense would attain sizable praise from the likes of Kerrang, Lollipop Magazine, Roadburn E-Zine, Alternative Press, CMJ and Pulse Magazine.[4] In December 2001 Tee Pee Records would re-issue The Art of Self Defense on CD and the album's first vinyl pressing. This version would include two songs recorded in September 2001 at Purple M Studios in San Francisco: The unreleased "Steel Shoe" and a cover of "The Usurper" by Celtic Frost.[5]
On 31 July 2012 Southern Lord Records would release a re-issue of The Art of Self Defense as a 2LP set, featuring the two prior bonus tracks and the band's first demo. This re-issue would feature a full remaster and a 48-page booklet for physical editions.[6] With the 2012 re-issue, The Art of Self Defense would attain further retroactive praise from several publications.[7][8][9][10]
The band had notably performed the entire album at shows in 1998 and 1999, early on in the band's career. On 18 April 2013 at 013, High on Fire would perform The Art of Self Defense in full as a curated set for Roadburn Festival.[11]
Tracklist[]
All songs written by High on Fire except where noted.
Tracks 7 - 8 are bonus tracks for the 2001 and 2012 versions.
Tracks 9 - 11 are bonus tracks for the 2012 version.
- 1. Baghdad (5:15)
- 2. 10,000 Years (7:53)
- 3. Blood From Zion (4:55) (High on Fire, Karl Larson)
- 4. Last (6:36)
- 5. Fireface (8:35)
- 6. Master of Fists (10:03)
- 7. Steel Shoe (4:31)
- 8. The Usurper (3:48) (Tom G. Warrior)
- 9. Blood From Zion (Demo) (5:02)
- 10. 10,000 Years (Demo) (7:43)
- 11. Master of Fists (Demo) (10:31)
Personnel[]
- Matt Pike - Guitar, Vocals
- Des Kensel - Drums, Percussion
- George Rice - Bass
- Billy Anderson - Engineer, Producer
- Matt Farina - Assistant Engineer
- Arik Roper - Artwork (Tee Pee Records Version)
External Links[]
- The Art of Self Defense on Discogs
- The Art of Self Defense on Southern Lord's Bandcamp
- The Art of Self Defense on YouTube
References[]
| V·T·E High on Fire | |
|---|---|
| Current Members | Matt Pike • Jeff Matz • Coady Willis |
| Past Members | George Rice • Joe Preston • Des Kensel • Nick Parks • Christopher Maggio |
| Studio Albums | The Art of Self Defense • Surrounded By Thieves • Blessed Black Wings • Death Is This Communion • Snakes For The Divine • De Vermis Mysteriis • Luminiferous • Electric Messiah |
| Extended Plays | High on Fire • Speak In Tongues • Bat Salad |
| Live Albums | Live From The Relapse Contamination Festival • Spitting Fire |
| Associated Bands, Artists, Etc. | Sleep • Kalas • Dear Deceased • Earth • Melvins • Harvey Milk • Zeke • Mutoid Man |