Now, this may not come as a shock, but I'm very iffy when it comes to Hardcore Punk. But when I aw the lineup for All Pigs Must Die, I couldn't help but investigate. Being made up of members of Converge, Bloodhorse, and other legends, this Group sounded great on paper. And their 2010 debut EP "All Pigs Must Die" delivered on every level. This EP, while it was only 20 minutes, was a brutal blast of Metalcore and Hardcore Punk. But it was more than just an all-out assault of anger and brutality. The instrumentals and the playing on this album were completely above everything else that was going on in this scene right now, and I couldn't get enough. All Pigs Must Die returned in 2013 with "Nothing Violates This Nature", sounding beefier and better than ever. There were plenty of slick grooves and breakneck verses that were absolutely bombastic. Plus the performances were just so "in your face", I needed more right away. But quite frankly, it's been a while since we've heard from them. Now, I haven't had the chance to check out any teaser tracks, so we're diving in headfirst on this one!
This album starts off with a huge bang in the form of “Hostage Animal”. This is just as explosive and pummeling as I was hoping it would be right off the bat, with elements of Grindcore and Powerviolence sprinkled in not-so-gingerly throughout. The instrumentals are just as technical though as I’ve always loved. This may be just the blast of death and destruction that people want to hear. But holy hell, the instrumentals are just so finely tuned and technical. Some of those later guitar solos are just so refreshing to hear, and all of the instrumentals are on a one-way-trip to pummel everything in their path. But that doesn’t take anything away from this one. “Hostage Animal” is a brutal hardcore track at heard, and this is one hell of a way to start an album. “A Caustic Vision” is up next, and trust me it’s even heavier with much more short blasts of violence piled up with their usually very grimy verses. I just love how grizzly and beefy this production is, making these thick bass lines and relentless riffs just encapsulate everything in their path. Not to mention, I just love how monstrous and explosive vocalist Kevin Baker sounds on vocals. I mean, he’s always sounded like a damn near monster, but here he sounds like he’s about to leap out and rip your throat out, and I love it. Now, you really have to give it to All Pigs Must Die, because this is a collection of some of their most explosive tracks yet. “Meditation of Violence” up next is fierce. It’s a little more straightforward for the band, but it’s still just as violent and throttling. It’s 52 seconds long, but it works for me. Now, “Slave Morality” is up next and it’s the first track here that’s taking a little time getting going. It’s also easily the most atmospheric track here by far. But for me, this comes off a little out of place. Like, I’m all for All Pigs Must Die taking a slower pace and working the sludgier route. Hell, it ends up working out for them later in the album. But “Slave Morality” sort of takes the wind out of this album. I still think the playing here is commendable and truly explosive. Not to mention, the anger and deeply tortured vibe is out in full effect. But I just think this takes a little too long in getting where it’s going. I mean, if you’re in for a slow burner this early in the album, “Slave Mortality” isn’t bad. But for me, it’s not what I’m here for. However, when it DOES get where it’s going eventually, things do get quite a bit better.
Now overall, spoiler alert, I’m really digging this album. But sadly, “End Without End” is a bit of a down point for me as well. I like parts of it, like Kevin’s continued absolutely bloodcurdling performances that are just so massive and brutal. But these sluggish instrumentals really don’t pump me up as much as I wish they would. They’re still heavy hitting and fine examples of slow-burning metal, but I like All Pigs Must Die at their most “in your face”. Plus, it’s almost 6 minutes long. In an album fueled by minute long bursts of power, “End Without End” just seems out of place. I do have to say though, I rather like the last minute of this one where that big ol’ instrumental sludges it’s way through. On the other hand, “Blood Wet Teeth” gets All Pigs Must Die going back in the direction they should be going and fast. This one is just so determined, and easily the most in your face sounding track here. The riffs need up having a seriousness grandness to them, and there’s certainly a very epic feel within the instrumentals. But don’t let that fool you, “Blood Wet Teeth” is about as subtle as a punch in the face. It’s intense, with some of the most brutal instrumentals this album has to offer. And Baker remains a pure, animalistic frontman who just seems dangerous. Then we have “Moral Purge” which is easily the most off the rails track here. Overall this has certainly been a pretty intense album, but for the most part, it’s all seemed very calculated. On the other hand “Moral Purge” sounds like an absolute all-out-assault on everything in its path. But it’s also one of the most exciting, and easily the one that’s going to cause the most Pit action. But not an instant of this is taken for granted, as the playing remains just as intense and well crafted. Now like I said earlier, All Pigs Must Die haven’t exactly nailed any of their longer and slower tunes here. But “Cruelty Incarnate” changes that. I love how dreary and apocalyptic this one is. Each somber instrumental comes off so weary here, and just so exhausted emotionally. Unlike the earlier slow burners, this one has some serious heart. That heart is obviously black as anything, but it’s there nonetheless. “Cruelty Incarnate” eventually picks up though and really ends up being one of the most soaring and intense tunes here. The instrumentals have gotten so far out of control by this point that they’re honestly hard to follow. Not to mention, Baker’s performance here is just so gigantic. As far as slow burners go, this one really takes the cake.
https://youtu.be/dcVWgR_Rp9E
Obviously though, with two tracks left All Pigs Must Die are far from done with us. “The Whip” is just as wild and explosive as anything else we’ve heard on here. The instrumentals are a little wary on this one and aren’t nearly as technical. But that’s fine because, for a blast of booming hardcore, this works just wonderfully. It’s angry, it’s rebellious, and while I feel like it falls a little flat by the end, it’s still really solid. “Heathen Reign” ends off this album in a BIG way, starting off with a wonderful opening riff incorporating more technical elements. But it actually ends up working unbelievably for All Pigs Must Die. This is the sort of hulking, slower tune that I feel like works with them so well. Baker just sounds so tortured in his performance, and every instrumental just blasts right through you. And while yes, it’s still a more patient tune, it’s almost constantly gratifying.
Rating: 8.2/10
Give A Listen To: "Hostage Animal", "A Caustic Vision", "Blood Wet Teeth", "Cruelty Incarnate"
Genre: Metalcore / Grindcore
Overall Thoughts: Oh boy, this is the Grindcore album that I’ve needed to hear for quite some time. All Pigs Must Die sound honestly better than ever, in just about every way. Their instrumentals continue to be a real standout, being much more than just some blast of anger. No, All Pigs Must Die live up to their supergroup status, and blast through 10 tracks in a little over 30 minutes and it is BRUTAL. Some of the slower tracks halfway through still don’t hit me completely. But still, certainly one of the better metal releases of the year.
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