Review Summary: All Pigs Must Die serve up another helping of the HM-2-drenched hardcore the band is known for with just enough variety to keep it from going stale.
All Pigs Must Die are a well-oiled machine on their latest record.
Hostage Animal is another helping of the crust-inspired, HM-2-drenched metallic hardcore that the band is known for. With the addition of Brian Izzi (of Trap Them fame), APMD continue to build around a style of hardcore punk that is growing stale.
Hostage Animal is another destructive slab of chaotic music, but where the album really shines is in its dramatic and more intricate songs.
The bulk of
Hostage Animal is an onslaught of violent, thrashy hardcore. “Blood Wet Teeth” barges in with chunky riffs and wailing leads before finding a beefy groove to ride on. “Moral Purge” crams blistering technicality with galloping rhythms in under two minutes. Ben Koller’s presence behind the kit helps these songs realize their potential. The dramatic fills on the opening title track and “A Caustic Vision” elevates these songs and adds another layer of depth to them.
Back to back slow bangers “Slave Morality” and “End Without End” see the band indulging in different influences. The former climbs up staggering brooding riffs before diving into a destructive crescendo. Both songs feature twangy melodic segments that are reminiscent of certain old-school thrash records. All Pigs Must Die wisely save their intricate ideas for the lengthy tracks on the album and the payoff is wholly satisfying.
Hostage Animal exhibits the best of what this style of hardcore is known for, but it becomes tiring in certain places. “Meditation of Violence” whirrs by the listener in a cacophonous flurry without leaving any lasting impact. Kevin Baker’s vocals, although suitable for the genre, are monotonous as he does little to vary his delivery from a mid-ranged yell throughout the record.
All Pigs Must Die serve up just enough variety on their latest offering to keep their sound fresh and entertaining. While the album's shorter cuts rely on a tired system, they are well-executed and tightly performed.
Hostage Animal finds success within the depth of its long, dramatic songs. Should the band continue to flirt with various influences, their next offering could reveal a new beast altogether.
