High on Fire’s Next Drummer is…
The High on Fire drummer situation has been in flux since founding member Des Kensel left in 2019 after two decades behind the kit. Gaytheist’s Nick Parks filled the role for a couple of shows that same year, then Chris Maggio (Wear Your Wounds, Coliseum, ex-Trap Them, Sleigh Bells) did a full tour. That led many fans to assume Maggio would be the guy going forward, but it seems that’s not the case, at least for right now.
High on Fire played a show at The Lodge at River Oaks in Del Valle, TX (right outside Austin) on Saturday, June 19, their first performance since the pandemic, and it was Coady Willis (Big Business, ex-Melvins) keeping time.
The band later welcomed Coady to the fold via social media, saying:
“It felt so good to get back on stage again, and to experience the exchange of energy that only happens between a band and a live audience. Thank you to all who attended!
“This was also our first show with the mighty @coadyscottwillis on drums – thank you Coady for bringing the thunder!
“We look forward to doing a lot more of this in the near future!”
Willis himself offered:
“Well, today is the day. My first show with @highonfireband !! Had a blast the past couple of weeks learning this set with @jeffmatz_music and @mattpike1972 . Thanks for asking me to do this dudes!”
The band’s language — “a lot more of this in the near future” — suggests Willis will man the kit for High on Fire for the forseeable future. Will he be the permanent guy? Time will tell.
You can watch some fan-filmed footage of the performance below.
MetalSucks has teamed up with High on Fire and eOne to give away a massive vinyl collection of the band’s discography; enter here!
[via The PRP]
