Snakes For The Divine
by High on Fire
  • Record Label: Koch
  • Release Date: Feb 23, 2010
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. The Boston Phoenix
    100
    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. Rock Sound
    100
    Monolithic, streamlined and straight from the underworld, Snakes For The Divine is High On Fire's finest hour thus far.
  3. AllMusic
    90
    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.
  5. Chicago Tribune
    88
    They patented a style and on their fifth studio album, Snakes for the Divine, see no reason to change it.
  6. PopMatters
    80
    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.
  7. Pitchfork
    80
    Snakes for the Divine shows that metal, in its most basic and elemental forms, still has plenty of visceral thrill left in it--as long as it's done right. And High on Fire do it right.
  8. BBC Music
    80
    It's tight, concise and thrillingly sharp--what makes High on Fire's fifth album such a success is its intricacy and balance that allows it to appeal to more than your friendly neighbourhood metalhead.
  9. Alternative Press
    80
    Bassist Jeff Matz and double-kickdrum killer Des Kensel flank Pike at every turn. The album-opening title track establishes a menacing, mathematical momentum, and the trio never falter.
  10. No Ripcord
    80
    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.
  11. Revolver
    80
    Whether Snakes For The Divine is the band's best album yet is open to debate, but it's certainly their biggest, burliest, and most devastating. [Mar/Apr 2010, p.90]
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  12. The New York Times
    70
    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.
  13. Drowned In Sound
    70
    Although this doesn't quite scale the heights of their two previous LPs, "Death Is This Communion" and "Blessed Black Wings," it shouldn't be thought of as a point of no return. As ambassadors for metal, they remain near-peerless.
  14. Dusted Magazine
    70
    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.
  15. Austin Chronicle
    Dec 20, 2010
    67
    Final Relapse anvil Death Is This Communion (2007) might never be breached, but lacking such compositional invincibility, Fire's fifth LP still incinerates a galaxy of Euro metal.

Awards & Rankings

100
#100 Best Album of 2010

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 52 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 38 out of 52
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 52
  3. Negative: 11 out of 52
  1. 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.… Full Review »
  2. 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.… Full Review »
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