High on Fire was founded in the late summer of 1998[5] by Sleep guitarist Matt Pike, drummer Des Kensel, and bassist George Rice.

The three songs were re-recorded and included on the band's first full-length album, The Art of Self Defense, which was released by Man's Ruin Records on March 7, 2000.

"[7] While touring with Goatwhore and Watch Them Die to promote Blessed Black Wings, Joe Preston left the band for undisclosed reasons, and was temporarily replaced by Zeke bassist Jeff Matz.

After Death Is This Communion was released, High on Fire played a small string of Northwest shows to promote it.

[9] High on Fire also played on 2008's Gigantour,[10] which was followed by a North American tour with the bands Opeth, Baroness, and Nachtmystium.

"[19] High on Fire was scheduled to play the 2012 Mayhem Festival but dropped off the tour due to Matt Pike's health.

NPR reviewer Adrien Begrand credits Kurt Ballou with "helping rejuvenate the band's sound" on their previous album, and praises the album as evidence of High on Fire's consistency, fueled by the "right combination of adherence to formula and subtle experimentation.

"[21] Dan Epstein, writing for Rolling Stone, concurs that "one could definitely make the case that [Luminiferous] is High on Fire's finest album yet.

[23][24] Drummer and co-founder Des Kensel announced his departure from the band on July 26, 2019,[25] and he was temporarily replaced by Chris Maggio.