TRENDING: Evicted San Jose club owner Pete Be says he had unwritten deal to pay off back rent Stone Temple Pilots’ Dean DeLeo on Rock, Nostalgia and the Power of Music Rob Brezsny’s Free Will Astrology for September 9-15, 2026 Exploring Aborn and San Felipe: A Uniquely San Jose Experience RAP’S BACK: Ice-T returns to the stage as a new generation rediscovers hip-hop’s roots High On Fire Pull Out of Mayhem Festival By Steve Palopoli Jun 8, 2012 Share FacebookTwitterLinkedinWhatsAppEmailPrint Matt Pike (right) of High on Fire has checked into rehab. As part of Sleep, Pike set the bar for stoner rock with hallucinogenic doom metal so sludgy it sometimes out-Sabbathed Sabbath. After their break-up in the ’90s and throughout their sporadic reunions, they’ve become almost more a legend than a band. That legend continues to grow, thanks to war stories like the time in 1995 that record execs refused to release their third album, Dopesmoker, because it was one hour-long song. Under the pressure of endless label blowback, the band split into Om and High on Fire. Just last week, Sleep headlined at the Scion A/V Rock Fest in Tampa, where cake was brought onstage at the end of the set to celebrate Pike’s birthday. It’s now been 14 years since Pike formed High on Fire in Oakland. They just released their latest album, De Vermis Mysteriis, in spring. That it debuted at #61 on the Billboard charts despite the fact that HOF’s music is even harder than Sleep’s ever was is a testament to the fact that it is also hookier and simply undeniable. What Pike has created with the band represents nothing less than the future of metal. The band’s other two members, drummer Des Kensel and bassist Jeff Matz, released a statement saying “High on Fire would like to thank everyone involved with the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival for the opportunity to be a part of this year’s tour. We regretfully will have to bow out as our friend and bandmate begins his recovery, but very much appreciate having been asked to be a part of this summer’s festival run.” Steve Palopoli LEAVE A REPLY Cancel reply Comment: Please enter your comment! Name:* Please enter your name here Email:* You have entered an incorrect email address! Please enter your email address here Website: Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Please sign me up for the newsletter Yes No Previous articleSan Jose Jazz Announces Lineup for Summer Fest 2012Next articleUpdate: Corpus Callosum Gets a Bus Latest Giveaways The Magic Table TicketsAug 24, 2026 Enter for a chance to win tickets to The Magic Table—an immersive dining experience—at the Palm & Ember Restaurant inside Hayes Mansion in San Jose. Drawing October 21, 2026. Peter Hook & The Light TicketsAug 5, 2026 Enter for a chance to win tickets to Peter Hook & The Light on September 21 at The Warfield in San Francisco. Drawing September 14, 2026. 11,598FansLike8,305FollowersFollow
