7 of 7 thought this review was well written
What you're probably thinking right now is either excitement or disgust, because you've just had your attention drawn to the art that adores this album's cover. Whichever of the two suits you will stick with you throughout this journey of pain, obsession and, oddly enough, love.
Pig Destroyer, on this album;
Brian Harvey - Drums
J.R. Hayes - Vocals (Hissing Choir)
Scott Hull - Guitars (Agoraphobic Nosebleed, Enemy Soil, Treblinka, Japanese Torture Comedy Hour, ex-Anal Cunt)
The wise amongst you will recognise Scott Hull as the evil genius behind the grind-on-acid project Agoraphobic Nosebleed. He decided that a band needed to bring back "what grindcore should be", and this led to the formation of Pig Destroyer.
Hull obviously has a different definition of grindcore than the vast majority, then. When one mentions grindcore, the first things to come to mind are low, disgusting growls, thick muddy guitars and incessantly blasting drums. What Pig Destroyer offer is a frenzied, cacophonous collection of the most brutal, searing riffs to spurt out of an amplifier, drums that can articulate and alter their beat without losing the speed and energy, and fierce vocals that display that special, raw kind of emotion that you get when you feel like killing your girlfriend.
Each member of Pig Destroyer brings their immense talent to the fore and doesn't let down.
Hull's riffs are energetic and masterfully crafted, and also quite technical when they want to be. They surge out of the speakers, but as shown on Carrion Fairy and Downpour Girl, he also knows how to craft catchy and fun riffs. The absence of bass guitar lets his full tone show through, smacking the listener with distortion and plain power. The short times for the songs allow a lot of focus on certain riffs, which is a clever composition trick when used and adds that feeling that each song is different that you usually don't get with a grindcore CD.
Harvey's drumming is probably the most powerful human drumming I've heard on a grind CD, possibly even on any CD from any genre. He is extremely fast, yet also able to play very powerful and different beats. His rapid fills and plethora of different punk beats create a feeling of utter chaos and freshness throughout the album.
Hayes' vocals are, suffice to say, just plain hardcore screams. But the delivery is fantastic; I usually hate this style of screaming but he instills his chilling screams with true emotion and there are enough effects on his vocals throughout to stop them becoming stale.
The lyrics on this are absolutely brilliant. I don't think it's supposed to be a concept album, but all the lyrics seem to be talking about the subject having an obsession with a girl that causes him to become violent towards her. Cliched concept? Yes, but the strength of Pig Destroyer is not inventing new ways of making music, but keeping traditional and focusing on the actual content instead of how many times it's been done. The lyrics are extremely articulate, full of metaphors and emotions. Coupled with Hayes' screams, they are quite fierce and haunting.
This isn't usually what you'd say about a metal album, much less a grindcore album, but the production here is truly magnificent. Hull spent so much effort on the production that the computer he was doing it on crashed, and it shows. Each instrument absolutely blares out, there is no dull point in the mix. The drums sound deep and real, but also shred your ears apart, the cymbals are even too much to bare at times. The guitar is searing at times, crushingly heavy at others. The vocals are, as said before, given enough different effects and overdubs to keep them interesting and articulate.
A small section of this must be devoted to the wonderful ear Hull has for sampling and electronic elements. The track Gravedancer has a minute-long section at the end with no instruments, only haunting ambience and a conversation between a man and woman. Their voices jump around the speakers and mix, it's a very freaky experience and the fact that you can't understand half of what their saying adds to this feeling. The intro to the CD is a perfect lead-up, creating that haunting, serial-killer atmosphere.
This is a perfect album. It's so perfectionist, yet it displays an energy like no other. The lack of bass and perfect production give a very unique sound to songs that could sound like immature hardcore if performed by different people. Hull is a brilliant composer, but unlike Agoraphobic Nosebleed, each member of the group gets space to show their skills off and, most of all, belt the listener into oblivion.
Pro's;
Awesome production.
Emotional without being emo.
Loud and noisy without being stupid.
Brilliant songwriting skills.
Accessible.
Con's;
Some will find the "hardcore" nature of the band unappealing.
Not "grindcore" in the truest sense.
Some will just find it too much to take, it's a very noisy CD and never really relents.
Get destroyed.
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Ya, its a pretty awesome cd. I love how Pretty In Casts comes screaming in right after the intro. so br00tal
I saw a video of PD live and the singer broke his mic and then still manages to scream so loud that he can be heard over the guitar and drums. It was crunk.
good review.
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I've heard that this is their best album. I wasn't a fan of Prowler in the Yard, but I might look into this one.
Good review too.
Digging: Orphaned Land - Mabool (The Story of the Three Sons...)
| | | Album Rating: 5
Great review, and a great album. The intro still scares the crap out of me every time I listen to it, and then the scream at the beginning of Pretty In Casts sets off the mood for the entire album perfectly.
Thumbsucker is my favorite song from the album. This is also my favorite Pig D album.
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I should check this out
Digging: Neun Welten - Valg EP
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This album is the first piece of grindcore I ever liked. I'm not some huge fan now, but if it wasn't for my several listens to this album I would have never gained an ear for it. Great review too, I learned a little and agreed with almost everything.
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What I've heard by them has been excellent. Good review.
Digging: Tony Conrad - Slapping Pythagoras
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heh thumbsuckers my fave too, i think.
the one with that ace solo in it.
| | | Album Rating: 4
Great review and excellent album.
I agree, PD isn't pure grind but it's nice to see a band like PD in the scene, Gravedancer is probably my favorite song in this album.
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Great review, I really want this record.
Digging: My Bloody Valentine - Loveless
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album cover= AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!
This Message Edited On 06.12.06
Digging: Opeth
| | | Album Rating: 5
Thanks guys.
I downloaded the bonus DVD track lastnight... masterful, dark doom metal.
I'd definitely say Restraining Order Blues, Carrion Fairy and Crippled Horses (best drum intro ever) are my faves here.
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In order to truly see how good their vocals are, watch this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApH6DTzi_Hc&search=pig%20destroyer
He breaks his mic and is still heard by just screaming even though the guitar and drums are still playing. Amazing.
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Quote:
Great review, and a great album. The intro still scares the crap out of me every time I listen to it, and then the scream at the beginning of Pretty In Casts sets off the mood for the entire album perfectly.
Thumbsucker is my favorite song from the album. This is also my favorite Pig D album.
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Your avatar just made me puke.
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Gravedancer is an excellent song. I should probably pick this album up.
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This is another great album by Pig Destroyer, the production is fantastic and I love the electronic elements as you mentioned. this isnt as good as PITY but it comes damn close.
Digging: Opeth - Watershed
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If anyone has not heard this, get it now.
This is probably my favorite album of all time, and this band is beyond amazing. They're so good it's not even funny.
| | | Album Rating: 5
This was one of if not the first Grind album I ever listened to, and it still remains one of my top favorites. I love the review.
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Iv heard Gravedancer and it was pretty good. This seems worth picking up.
What makes this Grind?? It sounds like metal to me??
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
Towering Flesh and Thumbsucker are my favorites I think.
JR Hayes could be one of the best lyricists ever. And by could be, I mean is.
This Message Edited On 11.04.06
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
The drumming on this is insane, and i enjoy the guitar more than on most "grind" albums.
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