What makes Surrounded by Thieves by High on Fire notable?

Surrounded by Thieves received critical acclaim, with notable praise from publications such as Decibel and Metal Hammer, highlighting its influence on the stoner metal genre. The album helped High on Fire secure a spot on various festival lineups and contributed to their growing fanbase, ultimately leading to a Grammy nomination for Best Metal Performance in 2010 for 'Snakes for the Divine.' Released in 2002, Surrounded by Thieves is High on Fire's third studio album, marking a pivotal moment as they transitioned from cult favorites to more mainstream recognition. Following their previous album, The Art of Self Defense, this record showcased their signature blend of aggressive metal and intricate songwriting, solidifying their place in the heavy music scene.

How many songs are on Surrounded by Thieves?

Surrounded by Thieves has 8 tracks, running approximately 40 minutes.

Surrounded by Thieves

High on Fire · 2002

40 min · 8 tracks · sludge metal

A relentless barrage of heavy riffs and guttural vocals, steeped in the raw energy of stoner and sludge metal.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Hung, Drawn and Quartered — This track exemplifies the band's ability to fuse fierce aggression with hypnotic grooves, showcasing intricate guitar work and relentless drumming. Its powerful chorus encapsulates the album's themes of vengeance and struggle.
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The Yeti — A standout track that combines ominous melodies with thunderous rhythm, it allows for dynamic shifts between brooding verses and explosive choruses. The storytelling aspect here reflects the band's unique lyrical approach.
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Surrounded by Thieves — The title track serves as a culmination of the album's sonic intensity, featuring intricate riffing that highlights the band's technical prowess. Its lyrical themes resonate with feelings of betrayal and defiance.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

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

64 /100

Treeline

Higher than 79% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong songwriting and production, delivering a cohesive and intense sludge metal experience.

What we noticed

The album opens with a fast-paced track that sets a high-energy tone, followed by several songs that maintain a consistent tempo and intensity.
Each song features complex guitar riffs layered with aggressive drumming, creating a dense soundscape that characterizes the sludge metal genre.
The vocals are predominantly guttural and aggressive, often blending into the instrumentation rather than standing out as a separate element.

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

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. 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 Eyes and Teeth 5:05
2 Hung, Drawn and Quartered 4:29
3 Speedwolf 4:38
4 The Yeti 7:09
5 Nemesis 3:36
6 Thraft of Canaan 8:08
7 Surrounded by Thieves 4:21
8 Razor Hoof 3:26

What to play next

Listen next

Blessed Black Wings

2005

Go back to

The Art of Self Defense

2000

Full High on Fire discography Artists like High on Fire

sludge metal stoner metal

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata