Review Summary: An enjoyable listen, featuring some good if not great instrumentation. However, production values and vocals are definitively weaker than previous outings.
In terms of modern day grindcore bands, it can be said that Pig Destroyer are the cream of the crop. Right from their inception up to the release of the more death metal influenced Phantom Limb, the band have consistently impressed with their signature brand of groove-laden grindcore mixed with flavours of death metal and thrash, even doom influences. This album marks a slight departure from the glory days of albums such as Prowler In the Yard but whilst it isn't as impressive as some of their previous outings, there is enough decent material present on Book Burner to warrant a rating of 3.5...
The album begins with a spoken word sample before opening up with a disjointed rhythm and JR Hayes,if I may say so, slightly weaker than usual vocals. Whereas Prowler In the Yard demonstrated Hayes as an absolutely monstrous vocalist (anyone who has seen the live video of Forgotten Child where he breaks his microphone will pay testament to what I've just said), as did Terrifyer and Phantom Limb, here on Book Burner there seems to be a certain spark of hostility missing. Whilst not as ferocious as before, he handles vocal duties well. The guitar, courtesy of grindcore wizard Scott Hull, are, for the most part, at the top of their game in terms of how well written and superbly executed they are throughout. First major album highlight comes in the form of The Diplomat - there are plenty of fast, thrashy riffs, along with lots of groove-laden chops too, that compliment the marvelous drumming expertise of newcomer Jarvis. Whilst his predecessor was most certainly competent, Jarvis is probably (and marginally) better than Harvey was. However, whereas Harvey's drumming complimented Hull's riffs almost 100% of the time, here on Book Burner the synergy between drummer and guitarist is not as effective. There are definitely some interesting arrangements but overall, whilst his skill behind the kit is equal to if not better than Harvey's, the synchronicity between the drums and guitars is lacking ever so slightly. The double bass pedal triplets at the end of Burning Palm are absolutely ***ing phenomenal in terms of speed and execution. Notable album highlights include the riff-laden White Lady, which features another supremely speedy set of double bass pedal antics from Jarvis. One thing I did notice is that the production of the album is a little flat - by no means is it awful but it doesn't have the sharp, buzzsaw-esque production of Phantom Limb or even the very raw and basic production found on Prowler In the Yard. Inevitably, with this lesser production comes with it the problem of the guitar riffs sounding hollow at times. Hayes' vocals, as I mentioned earlier, are nowhere near the same volatility and viciousness as displayed on previous albums.
Another aspect of Pig Destroyer which I have always enjoyed is the masterful approach to lyric writing Hayes has always taken. Albums such as Prowler In the Yard and Terrifyer had lyrics akin to that of a mad and deeply disturbed poet - with some of the lyrics bordering on the line of actual poetry. Here on Book Burner, certain tracks display some well crafted lyrics but they are few and far between, which is a slight shame as the lyrics in previous albums were of an excellent quality. Album closer Permanent Funeral has some quite interesting lines -
deep inside im just a wolf trying to walk upright.
the moth flew into the white light. the girl takes the flag from the
gravesite. unrequited love kills. spawns black blood cells. the dark
cradles mystery. the light ruins everything. you know it's true.
Yet overall there is a distinct lack of the dark wizardry with words that Hayes has always displayed. No lines that are quite as profound as say the closing lines in Piss Angel -
"They finally buried the gravedigger in the sky
I just need to shower in your amber and bathe in your earth"
In terms of the quality that is on offer here in the riff department, I'd say Hull has, once again, displayed his brilliance at writing groovy riffs that retain heaviness but also explore different avenues on the instrument very well. Album closer Permanent Funeral boasts some great groove-laden riffs - the final riff echoes that of Phantom Limb's The Machete Twins.
There are a couple of tracks on the album that feature Agoraphobic Nosebleed vocalist Katherine Katz. Eve is a wonderful romp through classic Pig Destroyer-esque brutality - the blastbeats are tightly calculated and the shift into a more death metal sounding section is a transition that sits wonderfully well with the listener. The Bug displays more of the same - tight blasts and even more vocals from the wonderfully scathing Katherine Katz. However, in comparison to all their other albums, the quality of the tracks on offer are diminished. Whilst everything is solid, very few tracks or sections of songs ring true with a profound "that is awesome" label. Let's hope with their next album they can rectify both the production as well as the output of quality instrumentation.
Overall, this is definitely the bands' weakest album to date. Main problems are undoubtedly the flat production values as well as the lack of definitive riffs. However, Book Burner is an enjoyable outing - 19 tracks of some superb, some distinctly average and some decent if not astounding death metal influenced grindcore.
Recommended Tracks
The Diplomat
White Lady
Burning Palm
Permanent Funeral
