Pig Destroyer – Phantom Limb
Posted by douchemike on July 31st, 2008 filed in Grindcore
Pig Destroyer’s fourth full length “Phantom Limb” both rectifies the slight imperfections of the album that preceded and provides a new new dimension to the biggest remaining second wave grindcore act’s sound. Their third album “Terrifyer” was an invigorating and essential listen but it wasn’t perfect. The production just didn’t have the depth and gravitas to bring their savage bass-less assault to the same level of clarity and precision that their 2001 masterpiece “Prowler in the yard” had. On “Phantom Limb” the production accentuates these qualities in the same way the production of “Prowler in the Yard” did despite being slightly more refined.
This is not to say this is a retread of “Prowler in the Yard” though, there are as many 3 plus minute something songs as there are those that are just under 2 minutes in length. Pig Destroyer also seems to have gotten one step closer to their aim to “bring back what grindcore should be”. “Phantom Limb” is more focused, intense and well constructed than any previous Pig Destroyer release. On “Prowler in the yard” they proved they could beat all other second wave grindcore acts in 60 seconds flat.
On “Phantom Limb they prove are not just about brutality and mindless speed, as their lightning fast assaults are peppered with breakdowns and explosions of slower (but compared to other bands, still pretty fast!) riffage that bring to mind Bolt Thrower, classic Slayer and on one section on the end of “Heathen Temple” Black Sabbath. With this album Pig Destroyer have continued to do what they’ve been doing for ten years now; reinventing grindcore for the 21st century whilst staying firmly attached to the late 80’s roots of the genre.
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