Few figures in doom and stoner metal—and indeed in heavy music writ large—possess a style as recognizable and inimitable as Matt Pike. The guitarist and frontman has been harnessing the power of the riff with High On Fire, Sleep, and Asbestosdeath since 1989, earning the distinction of being one of the genre’s foremost elder statesmen. While the sickness of his six-string skills is undeniable, he’s been less recognized for his ability to pair industrial-strength sludge with a lyrical vision to match.
His new book, Head on the Pike: The Illustrated Lyrics of Matt Pike aims to change that. Featuring illustrated interpretations of his lyrical poetry curated from the past two decades of his career, it promises to lend a visual element that can match the ferocity of his words and music. He’s assembled an impressive roster of A-list art and design talent to bring the book to life too, with a roster that includes Arik Roper, David V. D’Andrea, Santos, Brian Mercer, Skinner, Jondix, Stash, Tim Lehi, Jordan Barlow, and Derrick Snodgrass.
Head on a Pike will be available in both hardcover and e–book editions on November 9. For more information about the book and how to order signed limited-edition bundles, visit RareBirdLit.com.
Get a feel for Matt Pike with this video, as he plays some of his favorite riffs:
Preorder the book at Rare Bird Lit here.
Photo courtesy of G. Florez
