| Pig Destroyer Prowler in the Yard |
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 | Tracklist:
1. Jennifer
2. Cheerleader Corpses
3. Scatology Homework
4. Trojan Whore
5. Ghost Of A Bullet
6. Heart And Crossbones
7. Strangled With A Halo
8. Intimate Slavery
9. Mapplethorpe Grey
10. Evacuating Heaven
11. Tickets To The Car Crash
12. Naked Trees
13. Sheet Metal Girl
14. Preacher Crawling
15. Pornographic Memory
16. Murder Blossom
17. Body Scout
18. Snuff Film At Eleven
19. Hyperviolet
20. Starbelly
21. Junkyard God
22. Piss Angel
| Ranking: #86 for 2001 | |
| | other reviews | sickjesus (4)
It's disgusting. It's pornography. It's beautiful. It's art.... | Bobby Stills (4)
Grindcore being played exactly as it should be.... |
On 15 Lists
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| Summary: Remarkably, Pig Destroyer shows that three piece grindcore outfits are more than capable of ravaging your eardrums - but still making you want to hear more of the frantic riffs, brutal drumming and pained roars. |
4 of 4 thought this review was well written
Pig Destroyer are a three-piece American grindcore outift, hailing from Virginia. Guitarist Scott Hull has played in a number of other grind bands such as Anal Cunt, Agoraphobic Nosebleed and Japanese Torture Comedy Hour but decided to form Pig Destroyer to bring back the sound of what grindcore used to be (ala Napalm Death). Prowler In the Yard was the band's first major release if you count 38 Counts of Battery as more of a compilation of previously released and unreleased material. The band recorded the album in Hull's basement on what was essentially an 8 track - amateur-ish I hear you say?
Well, this album is far from it.
Prowler In the Yard is an album that grabs you by the throat and profusely pummels you into oblivion for the most part. Vocalist J.R. Hayes possesses what is not a usual grindcore voice in that he tends to shout and scream rather than grunt/growl. Scott Hull is a riffmeister of the highest order, constantly bombarding the listener with sublime riffs and imaginative guitar playing. The drumming of Brian Harvey also cannot go unmentioned - the guy is a monster behind his kit, utilising a huge range of different beats from the typical grind blastbeats to the more varied and unusual punk beats. Each member possesses immense talent - J.R. is not only a competent vocalist but an absolutely wonderful lyricist. Prowler In the Yard is an album steeped in disturbing imagery - right away, just by looking at the cover art, you know this is not going to be an album for the faint-hearted.
After a rather bizarre introduction in the form of Jennifer, in which a computerized voice reels off a section of rather disturbing prose, the listener is thrust into a maniacal world of obsession, stalkers and fucked up-ness. The next 21 tracks are a trip through insanity - Cheerleader Corpses sets the tone for the album. Right from the word go, the listener is treated to fast, brutal drumming accompanied with lightning-quick heavy riffs. Complementing this wall of sound is J.R., who quite literally screams his face off for the most part. One could say "yeah, it is good - don't know what he is saying though" and miss out completely on the amazing lyrics that J.R. writes. Reading through the lyric booklet is akin to rummaging through the works of a mentalist - however, no-one can deny that the lyrics possess a huge amount of intelligence and craft.
The album continues is the same vein - track after track of pained roars and brutal instrumentation. But the thing that makes Pig Destroyer so special is that they write memorable songs. Scott Hull pens, quite frankly, some of the best riffs grindcore is ever likely to see (check out the riff midway through Sheet Metal Girl and tell me that isn't inoovative). Tracks such as Trojan Whore, Hyperviolet and the album's single, Piss Angel boast some awesome riffs. Harvey also puts in a memorable performance in that his drumming is so varied and interesting it just adds another dimension to Pig Destroyer's sound. The drum intro to Junkyard God is guaranteed to stick in your mind.
Another thing that makes Pig Destroyer interesting is Hull's passion for sampling and downright strange samples at that. Whilst more prevalent in the album that succeeded Prowler (Terrifyer), there are hints of eerie ambience and atmosphere that just help to give the album a more demented feel. The outro to the album is quite possibly one of the most eerie things ever, all the while still adding to the album's concept and overall feel. Pig Destroyer are also very good at melding together grind, crust punk and doom into one neat package. At their most furious, the band could easily rape the ears of any unsuspecting innocent but at times their doom metal influences shine through - tracks such as Hyperviolet and Starbelly highlight this wonderfully. Catchy punk influences are also in abundance, with the middle section of Trojan Whore being a prime example of Hull's ability to lock you into a groove.
Many people will pass Pig Destroyer off as nothing but deranged noise. However, if you are a fan of grindcore (or heavy music in general) then this band have a great deal to offer. Prowler In the Yard shows that grindcore is far from being a bland genre full of uninspired groups. Whilst not a classic, the album is damn near perfect - considering the album was recorded in a basement, the sound quality is fantastic (huge credit is due to Hull for his production) and the quality of the material is also exemplary. If you want a breath of fresh air in the grindcore genre, then look no further than Pig Destroyer.
Recommended Tracks
Trojan Whore
Sheet Metal Girl
Junkyard God
Piss Angel
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| Recent reviews by this author | | | |
Album Rating: 5
This is one of the best reviews for this album I have seen in a while, great job.
Quick sidenote though: Explosions in Ward 6 was the first Pig Destroyer LP.
Digging: Weekend Nachos - Unforgivable | | |
I like pig sestroyer more everytime I listen to them, I love the ambient bits and samples on all their albums.
good review.
Digging: The Flaming Lips - Embryonic
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Great review. I've heard stuff off Terrifyer and hated it so much. Not my thing.
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...This Message Edited On 01.09.08
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Yeah, i think you're right. I feel kind of weird going under the punk section to get to bands that are like this. I can see why grind is under punk, but it should be moved to metal.
Digging: Psycroptic - The Scepter of the Ancients
| | | Album Rating: 5
Bump.
Only five comments thus far 
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I just saw these guys play last night with Ghangis Tron.
It was probobly the most Brutal thing I have ever seen, the entire floor was the pit. Its unbelievable how tight these guys are live.
They closed with "Pissangle" Thats was tits.
| | | Album Rating: 5
Ahh man. I really want to see Pig Destroyer live.
Yes, their live shows are known for being extremely brutal. JR is nuts live and Harvey and Hull are simply outstanding judging from all of the videos I have seen.
That must have been such an awesome gig...I hope they come to the UK soon.
| | | Album Rating: 5
This album and review deserves more comments I think.
I'd probably say this is the band's crowning achievement. Every track is immense.
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is White Minority.....commenting? O and this reviewalbum is good.
Digging: Lil Wayne - Da Drought 3
| | | Album Rating: 5
It does indeed look as if he commented.
Thank you very much. Appreciated 
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Good review. I saw a few PD albums in a local single-loc. store and I got Phantom Limb and I love it. I'll probably go back and get this one now
Digging: DJ Shadow - Endtroducing
| | | Album Rating: 5
Do it. This is better than Phantom Limb in my opinion, simply for the concept.
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I got Phantom Limb and then Terrifyer I was hesitating to get this but now I wish I got this sooner, this is just amazing
| | | Album Rating: 5
It's a very complete grind album. It has everything; groove, speed, brutality, technicality and great lyrics.
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Yea its just amazing all round. I don't think any of the albums I have, contain any flaws and can't decide which one is better. And this is rapidly become one of my favorite bands.
They're ratings might be pushed up 5 later.
Confessed, what would be your favorite album from these guys?This Message Edited On 02.01.08
| | | Album Rating: 5
This is definitely my fave by them. My second fave after that is Terrifyer, which I adore almost as much. From there onwards, I think Phantom Limb is flawless but slightly different in terms of sound and execution. Painter of Dead Girls and 38 Counts of Battery sit in the same area for me; both brutal albums but better for listening to when you just want some individual tracks and such.
Their full lengths are much more enjoyable when listened to in their entirety, especially this and Terrifyer. The concept of Terrifyer is pretty cool too.
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
Great review man!...Although I would put Naked Trees in the recommended tracks.
| | | Album Rating: 5
I considered putting about ten recommended tracks but then thought that it may look a bit silly.
I can honestly say, none of the songs here bore me or annoy me. Not even the ending of Piss Angel.
| | | Album Rating: 4
This is beautiful. This is art.
Digging: Tom Waits - Bone Machine | | | |
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