User ratings in Music are temporarily disabled. More info
  • Record Label:
  • Release Date:
Snakes For The Divine Image
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
6.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 52 Ratings

  • Summary: The fifth studio album for the metal band from Oakland, California, was produced by Greg Fidelman.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 16
  2. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. After years of being the untrained savage in the china shop of modern metal, HOF may find themselves owning the store with this accomplished thrash platter.
  2. Snakes for the Divine is another physically punishing tour de force from a band whose fans will settle for nothing less, and have rarely been let down--certainly not this time around.
  3. As much as High On Fire pride themselves on their recorded brand of relentless brawn, How Dark We Pray, down to its fine solos and overall execution, is the album's best moment.
  4. With his lyrics, his robust riffs, and flamboyant solos, Pike and High on Fire embody everything that is fun about heavy metal, and no matter how unpredictable they can be as far as production goes, we'll always know that there's no such thing as a bad High on Fire album, and Snakes For the Divine is no exception.
  5. The production jars mainly on the opener, "Snakes For the Divine" - Pike's leads sound wankier, and Kensel's drums flatter and softer, than one might want. But overall, Fidelman's work doesn't obtrude too badly.
  6. That sound has been changing, clearing up by degrees without sacrificing the band's greasy mysticism--"Blessed Black Wings" from 2004, engineered by Steve Albini, was a breakthrough--but here the band is really getting presentable.
  7. Uncut
    60
    If Matt Pike's current group High On Fire are a little less singular than Om, in thrall to the dark trash of Slayer and Celtic Frost, five albums have semn them chisel out their own grizzled, imposing image. [May 2010, p.90]

See all 16 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 2
  3. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. JamesB.
    Feb 28, 2010
    10
    The metal thunderstorm known as High on Fire have yet again delivered the pain, ladies and gentlemen. I didn't think they'd be able The metal thunderstorm known as High on Fire have yet again delivered the pain, ladies and gentlemen. I didn't think they'd be able to top Death is this Communion. I will never doubt them again. Expand
  2. JoeS.
    Mar 1, 2010
    10
    HEAVY as HEAVY gets. These are METAL JUGGERNAUTS. Once again, Matt Pike et al. prove that they are the real deal. A warning should be slapped HEAVY as HEAVY gets. These are METAL JUGGERNAUTS. Once again, Matt Pike et al. prove that they are the real deal. A warning should be slapped on the album cover that reads: Keep small children and old folks out of the room/car when playing. Side effects will include uncontrollable desire to slay and destroy everything within reach. Not for fans of main steam garbage. Expand