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Pig Destroyer are an enigma. Originally a three-piece grindcore band from Virginia, they’ve expanded their lineup to include a member specifically listed as providing “noise” and occasionally put out 38-minute doom songs on 5.1 surround sound. Existing somewhere in the nebulous space between high intelligence and devastating neurosis, Pig Destroyer are at once sublime, frightening, piercing, hyper-intellectual, misogynistic, feminist, honest, emotional and perhaps most obvious – intensely violent.
This album, consisting of the previously mentioned 38-minute doom-metal song, seemingly came out of nowhere. “Natasha” is a reissue of a track released as a bonus DVD with their 2004 album “Terrifyer.” Why release it again in 2008? In addition to new artwork and packaging, one reason is that DVD audio is essentially a failed medium. Also, instead of merely mixing down the tracks to stereo, the re-release contains an entirely new mix, lasting a few minutes longer than the original release.
Where the original mix was rather muddy and the surfeit of sounds seemed to create a wall of noise, this release is much more cohesive. The guitar, drums, samples, vocals and synthesized noise all move together to create a mammoth wave of dissonance. The tectonic drums and guitars repetitiously slam the listener, while vocalist J.R. Hayes’ often heavily-doctored voice wails his surprisingly feminist tale of a murdered girl’s revenge on her assailant. The song has a psychological effect, causing the listener to internalize the insanity. By the end, you do not just observe the desolation – you feel it.
While certainly only appealing to a small group of people, Pig Destroyer consistently make important artistic and social statements, while keeping mainstream society convinced they are merely peddlers of noisy metal music. “Natasha” will most likely not win them any new fans, but it will certainly impress geeks like me who like a little avant-garde with their metal. Did you really expect any less from a band whose name is a euphemism for “cop killer?”
Grade: A-
Bangor Daily News