Absolute legend of stoner doom and sludge metal, Matt Pike has lifted off with his first solo album entitled Pike vs The Automaton (MNRK Heavy). Being known well for his work in Sleep and High on Fire, Matt takes all of the things he loves from those projects as well as other influences to put together a fantastic psychedelic rock album. Groovy, heavy, and really something for everyone can be found here to be enjoyed.
Matt Pike (High on Fire, SLEEP) has finally shared what he and Brent Hinds of Mastodon have been working on since the dawn of the pandemic. The track and video for “Land” have dropped from the Pike vs. the Automaton album, and the track is exactly what you hoped it would be. Pike vs. the Automaton the Matt Pike solo album releases on February 18th, 2022 via MNRK Heavy. Pre-orders are live at the link below.
For Bandcamp Friday just passed (December 3rd, 2021) Sleep released their unedited version of their classic album Dopesmoker, originally released on 4/20 in 2013 via Southern Lord. The album is available now streaming from Bandcamp and CD. It also includes live versions of “Holy Mountain and “Sonic Titan!” Purchase and stream the album as the band re-envisioned it, and read the fascinating backstory below.
In certain circles, some might say “so goes Matt Pike, so goes the entire metal scene.” As the co-founder of two of the most iconic bands of the last two generations of die-hard metal fans, Pike’s mighty riffs laid down with SLEEP and later with High on Fire has led him from the underground to mainstream love from critics and fans alike. With his debut book about to drop, and a solo album tentatively due in 2022, Pike is on a roll and a High on Fire show, playing their first concerts in a few years now, is a necessary ritual for fans.
Sleep will end their hiatus in 2022 with at least three shows. They have announced mid-April gigs in Denver on 4/18, Colorado Springs on 4/19, and Albuquerque, on 4/20! Tickets on sale Friday 10/29 at 9a PST/10a MST. 2022 is also the 30th anniverdsatry of the seminal Stoner Doom album Sleep’s Holy Mountain aka Holy Mountain. Ghost Cult has an interview coming with Matt Pike where he discusses his new book “Head On A Pike: The Illustrated Lyrics of Matt Pike”, the return of Sleep, his new solo album, and new High On Fire music as well, so watch this space next week!
Events Center, Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, NV 8/16/19
Spanning the entire career of a metal icon, Head On A Pike:The Illustrated Lyrics of Matt Pike, but the iconic Stoner doom legend Matt Pike of bands such as High on Fire and Sleep is releasing on November 9th, 2021, via Rare Bird Books. Beginning with the 1998 album ‘The Art Of Self Defense’, and through to 2018’s ‘Electric Messiah’, each chapter of Head on A Pike features Matt’s distinctive lyrics flanked by one-of-a-kind artistic interpretations — specifically inspired by each album — straight from the minds and hearts of an incredible cast of illustrators, tattooers, print makers and painters that Pike has trusted since the beginning to depict his unique musical vision. Head On A Pike: The Illustrated Lyrics of Matt Pike is scheduled for worldwide release in hardcover and e-book, and the trade edition will retail for $20. Signed hardcovers and signed limited edition bundles are available at the link below.
Events Center, Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, NV 8/16/19
Spanning the entire career of a metal icon, Head On A Pike: The Illustrated Lyrics of Matt Pike, but the iconic Stoner doom legend Matt Pike of bands such as High on Fire and Sleep is releasing from n November 9th, 2021, via Rare Bird Books. Beginning with the 1998 album ‘The Art Of Self Defense’, and through to 2018’s ‘Electric Messiah’, each chapter of Head on A Pike features Matt’s distinctive lyrics flanked by one-of-a-kind artistic interpretations — specifically inspired by each album — straight from the minds and hearts of an incredible cast of illustrators, tattooers, print makers and painters that Pike has trusted since the beginning to depict his unique musical vision. ‘Head On A Pike: The Illustrated Lyrics of Matt Pike’ is scheduled for worldwide release in hardcover and e-book, and the trade edition will retail for $20. Signed hardcovers and signed limited edition bundles are available at the link below. Check out an excerpt right now, over at Decibel Magazine’s website.
Events Center, Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, NV 8/16/19
Stoner Doom Metal legend Matt Pike is world renowned for his thick riffs and great songwriting for iconic bands like SLEEP and High on Fire! Now he has teamed up with Rare Bird Literature to announce the release of Head On A Pike: The Illustrated Lyrics of Matt Pike. Scheduled for worldwide release in hardcover and e-book on November 9, 2021, the trade edition will retail for $20. Signed hardcovers and signed limited edition bundles are available through Rare Bird at the link below.
Events Center, Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, NV 8/16/19
In a new interview on Gimme Metal with Jim Santanella, Matt Pike discussed the progress of the new album from High on Fire, a new solo project, and more. According to Pike, High on Fire is in the progress of writing their new album for a hopeful late 2021 release. The band is recording with drummer Chris Maggio who joined the band as a live drummer following the departure of Des Kensel in July 2019. The new HoF album will be the follow up to their Grammy-Award winning 2018 album Electric Messiah (eOne). He also says writing and recording for his long-in-the-making solo album is underway as well, although no timetable for release is set. Pike also remarked that his legendary Stoner doom band SLEEP is still on hiatus, but all the members are on good terms and drummer Jason Roeder (Neurosis) just moved to the area near him, in Portland, Oregon. Pike gave deeper details to Santanella about the history of High On Fire since their album The Art Of Self Defense is getting the double LP rerelease treatment from the Gimme Metal Vinyl club this month. Watch a trailer and join the club at the link below.
Viking heavy metal s Hjelvik (ex Kvelertak) has released a new song and music video for their new song “Glory of Hel”. The track comes from their upcoming debut album Welcome to Hel, due out on November 20th, 2020 via Nuclear Blast. Watch the animated music video by Adam Avilla of Flesh & Bones in San Francisco, California which includes a guest performance by Matt Pike from the bands High on Fire and Sleep right now!