HIGH ON FIRE LUMINIFEROUS

In the three-year studio interim between High on Fire's mighty De Vermis Mysteriis and Luminiferous, guitarist Matt Pike has been a busy guy. Two volumes of live recordings appeared, and he and OM bassist Al Cisneros re-formed Sleep (after decades off), made a record, and toured with Jason Roeder from Neurosis in the drum chair. One had to wonder whether any of Sleep's stoner psychedelia would rub off when HOF returned to recording. No worries. Pike, with drummer Des Kensel and bassist Jeff Matz, adhere strictly to their sludgy, bruising, chugging brand of metal. Also returning is producer Kurt Ballou, who helmed De Vermis Mysteriis -- marking the first time that HOF has used the same producer twice. The sound here is even more stripped-down, essential in its churn and burn. Check opener "The Black Pot" with the interplay of ever-ascending riffs and Kensel's slamming tom-tom attack. The tag ends and bridges are classic Pike, his voice roaring into the sonic maelstrom. The same goes for