Coming out of Oakland, Calif., High on Fire is the brainchild of guitarist/vocalist Matt Pike, who helmed the beloved stoner/doom metal group Sleep throughout the '90s. Building and expanding on that ferocious sound, High on Fire (with drummer Des Kensel and bassist George Rice) hit the scene in '98. The band released its debut album, The Art of Self Defense, two years later. Surrounded by Thieves appeared in 2002, after the group signed with Relapse Records; it was co-produced by Billy Anderson, known for his work with Mr. Bungle, Fantomas, and Eyehategod, among many others. Devastatingly heavy and unapologetically dark, this is the perfect soundtrack for a session of Genghis Khan–style pillaging and/or marathon first-person-shooter videogame sessions. It's a standout in High on Fire's consistently impressive discography. Don't miss "The Yeti," "Hung, Drawn and Quartered," or the Unsane-esque opener "Eyes and Teeth."