Fuck. Me. Running! After a year full of disappointing releases by Relapse Records it’s nice to finally have my expectations for one of their releases be not only matched but surpassed… far surpassed! Pig Destroyer are back with their fourth full length offering, Phantom Limb, and it is by far their most violent and all around best album to date!

My favorite Pig Destroyer songs have always been the ones that are aggressive, groovy and grinding and this entire album is overflowing with these types of songs. On past efforts there would be maybe 3 or 4 tracks that could actually be considered true songs and actual structure, the rest were just a blazing wall of shredding, blasting and shrieking. While the shredding, blasting and shrieking continues to this day it is done with an actual purpose. Finally, after 10 years Pig Destroyer have actually written a full album that never grows dull and is something I can listen to over and over again, beginning to end, without getting the urge to skip to the tracks I like, because I can honestly say I like all of the tracks on Phantom Limb!

The song writing of Scott Hull is a lot more focused from the band’s last studio effort, Terrifyer. While I enjoyed the album and it contained several quality tracks I’ve listened to countless times, it wasn’t an album I could toss in the stereo and leave it in for days on end and listen to over and over again. The drumming of Brian Harvey is consistent, while he may not be the most technical skinsman on the planet he plays with ferocity and passion and it’s evident in his work. I’m still not sold on the overly processed vocals of JR Hayes, while it does fit the style of music, I think there are vocalists who could perform with the music without the need for any effects, but to be fair the effects on the vocals do make them sound rather inhuman, like Starscream getting kicked in the balls… or whatever it is Transformers have in lieu of testes.

If you haven’t heard Pig Destroyer before, this is the album to start with. If you have heard Pig Destroyer and enjoyed their chaotic earlier releases, rest assured you’ll love this album as well. While they do incorporate more variety in their music, the album is, by far, the band’s most intense to date! Highly recommended for all fans of high tempo shrieking grindcore!

Written By: Teufel