It is quite possible that Matt Pike is the embodiment of Heavy Metal. There are few out there that drink the devils brew, smoke the herb and tour as hard as Mr Pike; and his music it’s fair to say follows this hard livin’ approach. It has been ten years since High On Fire unleashed their debut album “The Art of Self Defense” on us and in terms of attitude, time has not mellowed the savage beast.

“Snakes For The Divine” opens with the same hook filled, balls out, fuck you up approach as "Devilution" did on "Blessed Black Wings"; there is a message of intent here that Pike wants out there from the get go. The bands previous offering “Death Is This Communion” was nowhere close to being considered, dare I say, a bad album but it did delve heavily into new experimental group. Making the album hard going in places, so it is a return to more familiar ground that sees Pike, Matz and Kensel produce for me the first absolute must buy album of 2010.

The albums first three tracks, the title track, “Frost Hammer” and “Bastard Samurai” are relentless in their audio punishment. So it is little surprise that by the time you hit “Ghost Neck” the album appears to drop a little in its intensity, not to say form here on you’re in for an easy ride, far from it the album still rampages on like a steroid fuelled Conan!

The bands decision to have Greg Fidelman produce has proven to be as inspired one. While many frowned at the possibility that Fidelman could redeem himself after the quite frankly disappointing offering that was Slayer’s “World Painted Blood”, “Snakes For The Divine” production hits a home run. If there has been a complaint of previous HOF releases it has been that the muddy production sullied many of the bands songs natural verve. Not so here, the clarity Fidelman has brought to the album has allowed the songs to really breath and given Pike’s already renowned riffs a distinct crispness.

It is not often an album takes you aback at the first time or hearing it, particularly one which comes with a great deal of expectation, but HOF have created a mother fucking barnstorming record and an absolute must have record not only for 2010 but for years to come; and if this is the result of a beer, hash and Sabbath fuelled diet then bring on the feast.