What makes De Vermis Mysteriis by High on Fire notable?

De Vermis Mysteriis debuted at number 88 on the Billboard 200 and received widespread acclaim from critics, highlighting its complex compositions and lyrical depth. The album was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance for the track 'Blood of Zion', marking a significant recognition of the band's influence within the metal community. Released on January 1, 2012, De Vermis Mysteriis is High on Fire's fifth studio album, following the critically acclaimed Snakes for the Divine. At this point in their career, the band had solidified their stature in the stoner metal genre, continuing to evolve their sound while maintaining a loyal fan base.

How many songs are on De Vermis Mysteriis?

De Vermis Mysteriis has 14 tracks, running approximately 72 minutes.

De Vermis Mysteriis

High on Fire · 2012

72 min · 14 tracks · sludge metal

A relentless barrage of heavy riffs and intricate rhythms, steeped in occult themes and raw, visceral energy.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Fertile Green — This track captures the album's haunting atmosphere, blending crushing riffs with a sense of urgency that encapsulates High on Fire's signature sound.
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Madness of an Architect — With its dynamic shifts between aggressive passages and melodic interludes, this track exemplifies the band's ability to weave storytelling into their music.
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Bloody Knuckles — The raw power and relentless pace of this song make it an anthem within the album, showcasing High on Fire's ferocity and technical prowess.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

67 /100

Alpine

Higher than 91% of albums we've rated

High on Fire delivers complex compositions and relentless energy, solidifying their place in sludge metal.

What we noticed

Several tracks feature abrupt tempo shifts, such as 'Madness of an Architect', which transitions from a slow build to a fast-paced climax.
The album's title track includes layered guitar harmonies and intricate rhythms that showcase the band's technical proficiency.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 7/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Serums of Liao 6:02
2 Bloody Knuckles 4:18
3 Fertile Green 4:47
4 Madness of an Architect 6:59
5 Samsara 3:43
6 Spiritual Rites 5:09
7 King of Days 7:10
8 De Vermis Mysteriis 3:52
9 Romulus and Remus 5:06
10 Warhorn 5:28
11 Eyes and Teeth (live) 4:33
12 Cometh Down Hessian (live) 4:35
13 Blood of Zion (live) 5:13
14 Speak in Tongues 5:47

What to play next

Listen next

Luminiferous

2015

Go back to

Snakes for the Divine

2010

Full High on Fire discography Artists like High on Fire

sludge metal stoner metal

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata