Grindcore is often unfairly labelled as a genre where evolution goes to die. If you played something like Napalm Death's Scum and then Wormrot's Dirge to your average radio fan, chances are they wouldn't notice many dramatic stylistic changes. That's not me being patronizing, that's just an observation I have made. This may be because it's not exactly the most challenging genre to play and the perfect formula is already in place. Follow the rules and you won't go far wrong:
1) Blastbeats are a must
2) Short songs - over 3 minutes are big no-nos
3) Sing about world downfall and general despair.
While there are bands that still recycle the standard Brutal Truth riffs over and over again,
what's even better and more intriguing is when bands break the rules. Pig Destroyer do just that. They explore the very boundaries of a genre they have since helped define. They have followed the rules but also morphed them to fit their own style which is entirely unique.
Lyrically, Prowler In The Yard speaks less of political decay but more of a social one. It follows a morbid love story (like Romeo & Juliet meets Texas Chainsaw Massacre) about a stalker and his victim. Not only am I yet to come across a story like this in a genre like grindcore, but Pig Destroyer approach this concept in a way not metal band has done since or better. It's incredibly disturbing at times but it lets you into the mind of a psychopath. We get to live out fantasies that many of us will never get to - go against the rules society has placed before us and do as we please. While many will never have an urge to do what this person as done, it's pretty much the musical to a psychological thriller/horror such as The Strangers. There's no definite explanation for what the protagonist is doing to "Jennifer" but that's perhaps what's so bizarre about this story.
Musically, Pig Destroyer have a sound all their own. If Agoraphobic Nosebleed grew up blasting Need To Control (by the late, great grind gods Brutal Truth), PD spent their time listening to early Swans records and Earache's sludgier roster.
Opening track Jennifer sets the scene with some spoken word performed by a speak-and-spell. While this may have a very lo-fi quality to it I personally think it adds to the over-all disturbing nature which is all over this album. Like watching a grainy video nasty, this record delivers a level of suspense that bands can only hope to achieve, but Pig Destroyer gain this quality through their flaws. Yes the production isn't perfect, yes the 8-track recorded may not seem to do the stellar song-writing justice but I think this generally works in it's favour.
From here on in it's an exhilarating experience. Pig Destroyer are the masters of tension-and-release in grindcore and this album proves this. If you took away the lyrical content you would have a brilliant grindcore album. The riffs and grooves wouldn't sound out of place on a High On Fire album and the blasts would make a band like Napalm proud. However, by adding the masterfully written lyrics, you have a perfect grind album.
When the music settles into a groove it's undeniably crushing - Scott Hull has this dynamic down to a T - and it's all the more satisfying after being pummeled by the wretched vocals of J.R.Hayes and the furious rhythm section. The listener is glued to the very edge of their seat, the mystery within the music and poetic vocal delivery to bizarre and unusual to simply let pass by.
Many of the "intellectual music critics" may turn their noses up and grindcore claiming that it's to put bluntly - noise.
But to say that about a band like this? Surely nonsense
The level of intelligence they incorporate into what can be described as quite a simple sound is truly beyond me. I don't understand how they've done it so masterfully but I can assure if I did, I'd be making music to.
In conclusion, Prowler In The Yard is a masterpiece. If proof of nothing else, it's proof that grindcore is in very safe hands in 2014. Despite this coming out in 2001, it's timeless nature will see it be held up as a classic of extreme metal if not metal in general.
No comments:
Post a Comment