High On Fire, Melvins, and Windhand

The band formed in 1998 and apart from Matt Pike it consisted of drummer Des Kensel and bassist George Rice. The members were strongly influenced by thrash artists like Slayer as well as doom metal bands such as Napalm Death, Obituary, Venom, and Black Sabbath. High on Fire took the mystical themes prevalent in Sleep’s music, but adapted them to a harsher and more heavy tonal style. The group released their studio debut album “The Art of Self Defense” in 2000 through Man’s Ruin Records. Southern Lords reissued the album in 2012 and included the Celtic Forest cover “The Usurper”.

The group’s sophomore album “Surrounded by Thieves” came out in 2002 through Relapse Records. Though their 1st album received high acclaim “Surrounded by Thieves” was considered a drastic improvement and is often recognized as one of the best metal albums of 2002. The song “Hung, Drawn and Quartered” was used to promote the LPs release and was included on a 7” split with Mastodon’s “March of the Fire Ants”. Bassist George Rice left the band after it’s release and was later replaced by ex-Melvin’s member Joe Preston.

Preston only appeared on the band’s 3rd album “Blessed Black Wings” before being replaced by Jeff Matz. Their 4th studio album hit the record stores in September 2007 and was declared a critical success upon release. Like its predecessor it featured lyrics inspired by the writings of H.P. Lovecraft and additionally referenced the works of David Icke and the Bible. The group toured extensively through 2007 and 2008 in support of this album and played alongside artists like Mono, Panthers, Opeth, Baroness, and Nachtmystium. By the end of 2008 High on Fire signed a recording contract with Kosh Records and in the fall of 2009 they embarked on yet another tour (this time with Mastodon, Dethlok, and Converge).

In early 2010 the band put out their 5th studio album “Snakes for the Divine”, which was produced by acclaimed sound engineer Greg Fidelman (Black Sabbath, Metallica, System of a Down etc...). This year also saw the band opening for Metallica for several of their shows in Europe. Their 6th studio album “De Vermis Mysteriis” came out on 3 April 2012. It is considered a time travel concept album and closely resembles the narrative of the TV show “Quantum Leap” though not intentionally.

Formed in 1983 by high school mates, Buzz Osborne (guitar/vocals), Matt Lukin (bass), and Mike Dillard (drums). They started off playing cover songs of Jimi Hendrix and Cream, and experimenting with hardcore punk music. Dillard decided to move on, who was soon replaced by Dale Crover. In 1985 C/Z Records was created and released their first album that featured four songs, and then in 1986 the band released their own debut EP, followed by their full-length album “Gluey Porch Treatments” in 1987.

In 1990 the band recorded and released “Bullhead” followed by a tour of Europe. In 1993 they were signed by Atlantic Records, releasing their first major label album “Houdini;” however, they were dropped three albums later. The band then signed with Amphetamine Reptile Records, and released their next album “Honky” in the same year (1997). The years to follow found the band re-mastering old songs, returning to old sounds, and in 2003 Atlantic Records (UK) released a compilation track of their top hits when the band was signed with Atlantic.

In Fall 2006 the band set out on tour to promote their newest album “(A) Senile Animal” and in July 2008 released “Nude With Boots.” After a series of tours and a few more albums, the band also had a side project called Melvins Lite consisting of Dunn, Dale and Buzz). Melvins Lite went on a record breaking tour in 2012, performing every night for 51 days. On 14 July 2014 the band announced their newest album “Hold It In.”