There’s no denying that PIG’s pair of ’90’s bangers, Sinsation and Wrecked, are not only each Industrial classics but also pushed the genre to exciting new places bringing a more cinematic scope to the synthetic-tinged shredding. That said, there’s something about the more mature, more menacing version of late stages PIG from mastermind Raymond Watts that’s even better than what was sonically wrought previously with latest offering, Hurt People Hurt, possibly the best yet.
Teaming up with Jim Davies (Pitchshifter! The Prodigy!) as a songwriting partner, Hurt People Hurt is a collection of some of PIG’s strongest material to date beginning with lead single/track “Tosca’s Kiss” which is a beaut, fully embracing that cinematic aesthetic amidst a grand piano line at its’ onset before a wall of guitars and electronics lead into one of those iconic/killer PIG choruses and then “Monkey See Monkey Do” brings up the rear on a bass-heavy Dirge as Watts’ voice practically floats on air utilizing that seldom used croon.
“Sex & Suicide” hearkens back to Wrecked with the chugging riffs and the sinister way in which Watts delivers vocals followed by the title track might be one of our most favorite PIG anthems in their modern era featuring Watts’ signature play on words throughout this Hellishly Harmonious Hymnal. “Scars” is a swirling masterpiece, incorporating electronic elements first heard on earlier works but elevated to transcend the track into a bit of a timeless PIG modern classic, “Quid Pro Quo” is a haunting slow burn and “Ruins” is another that is uplifted by the strength of Watts’ vocal charisma.
“DNA”, on the other hand, is a sultry synthetic jam that’s all swagger and sway as “Imposter” strikes like an instantly recognizable PIG anthem that reaches back to The Swining until “The Reaper’s Lament” brings about the final curtain with a burgeoning, pulsating piece that’s all heart and Hog and pure PIG through and through.
Hurt People Hurt is out NOW through Metropolis Records and available in a variety of options by heading here or to the stream below. For more from the almighty Lord of Lard, including where to catch them out of the pen live and on stage, hit the socials here or here.