Totally high on High on Fire. All photos by Kimberly Chun.
“Purple is the color of sexual frustration,” quips one English SXSW conventioneer to two ladies asking about their wardrobe choice in the elevator. Not so over at Stubb’s and Vice‘s metal showcase yesterday, March 13. I missed Napalm Death, damn it all, but made it to see High on Fire totally kick arse! Lordy, who knew Matt Pike and company had it in ’em? All assembled would have to confess: they totally blew away metal-punk grandpappies Motorhead. (OK, I only stayed for a portion of Motorhead’s set but chances looked slim that they were going to kick up more dust.)
“This song goes out to all my friends who came here from Oakland!” Pike exclaimed before launching into a brute, pummeling rendition of “Speedwolf.” Holy mother of fuck…
You can’t envy Lemmy and his weathered road warriors, following that. But you can admire the devil horns getting thrown up front.
