Surrounded by Thieves

Surrounded by Thieves is the second album by Californian stoner metal band High on Fire. It was their first album for Relapse Records and was produced by Billy Anderson and the band itself. It is generally considered one of the finest metal albums of 2002. "Hung, Drawn and Quartered" was utilized as the album's promotional track. It was featured on a 7" split with Mastodon's "March of the Fire Ants" and had a music video which aired on Uranium and Headbangers Ball.

Reception

Surrounded by Thieves was well received by critics. Allmusic's Brian O'Neill awarded the album 4.5 out of 5 stars, calling it "relentless" and suggesting that every song was "an epic that rolls like sinister thunder across the landscape."^[1] O'Neill noted that there was "not much variation" on the album but added that variety isn't necessary "when you get locked into a groove this good." Isaiah Violante, writing for Pitchfork, gave a similarly positive review of 8.8 out of 10.^[2] Violante praised the album's "nihilistic theme and all-encompassing walls of drone." He went on to praise the band for being able to "only operate according to its own whims" while also making "organic and monstrous music."

Track listing

1. "Eyes and Teeth" – 5:03
2. "Hung, Drawn, and Quartered" – 4:27
3. "Speedwolf" – 4:36
4. "The Yeti" – 7:07
5. "Nemesis" – 3:34
6. "Thraft of Caanan" – 8:06
7. "Surrounded by Thieves" – 4:19
8. "Razor Hoof" – 3:26
9. "Steel Shoe" - 4:15 (Japanese Bonus Track)

Personnel

• Matt Pike - guitar, vocals
• George Rice - bass
• Des Kensel - drums
• Billy Anderson - producer, engineer
• Mark Keaton - mastering
• Orion Landau - artwork
• Justin Lieberman - assistant engineer

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Surrounded by Thieves at Allmusic
2. ^ ^{a b} Pitchfork Review