Release
date: September 28th
2018. Label: Rocket
Recordings. Format:
CD/DD/Vinyl
King
Of Cowards – Tracklisting
1.GNT
2.Shockmaster
3.A66
4.Thumbsucker
5.Cake
Of Light 03:45
6.Gloamer
Members
Matt
Baty (Vocals)
Sam
Grant (Guitar)
Adam
Ian Sykes (Guitar)
Christopher
Morley (Drums)
John-Michael
Hedley (Bass)
Review
Noise
rock is a rather large and ubiquitous genre of music and a sort of de
facto category for a band whose sound doesn’t easily fall into one
of the more common categories of rock and metal. So here we have
(from Outlaws head honcho Steve’s hometown of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne) Pigs
x7, who bring a truly unique brand of noise rock that carries
elements of doom, metal, hardcore, jazz, and everything in between in
every song.
King of Cowards is the band’s second album following
hot on the heels of last years stellar Feed the Rats. King of Cowards
carries some of the same elements as Rats but doubles the songs (3 to
6) and somehow manages to be even more bombastic than its
predecessor.
The
vocals are angry and distorted, the tracks are loaded with feedback,
dissonance and a shitload of riffs.
All those are trademarks of any
noise rock record worth its salt. However, what sets Pigs x7 apart is
the surprising nuances of the record. Each new listen revealed
another aspect of the songs that wasn’t as apparent the time
before. That is what makes a record stunning and sets it apart from
all the others.
The
album opens with the bombastic GNT
that
brings in elements of space influenced guitar, a Queen like chorus
and crunch heavy bass. The band brings in the Doom on the lumbering
Shockmaster.
The song is a bit slower and heavily distorted. It is worth note that
Pigs x7 are not ones for brevity. Feed the Rats was a 40+ minute
record that was 3 songs long. As noted, this record doubles the song,
but not the time. With the first two tracks clocking in at over 6
minutes a piece. Another element of note is the band’s propensity
for tempo change.
All their songs are technically dynamic. Pigs x7
can fit as many tempo changes in one song as most bands fit into one
album. With that said, comes the centrepiece of the record, at around
9 minutes, is the driving noise rock masterpiece A66.
This song has a feel that is reminiscent of 90’s Touch & Go
records, more particularly, Chicago’s beloved Jesus Lizard. A
driving beat, heavy and angular guitars and the screamed chorus of
“This beast is not very kind” hammer the song into a huge psych
heavy finish. The foot does not come of the gas with Thumbsucker.
The songs big, repetitive riff pummels the listener for 8+ minutes
before a shift change into a big rock outro. At under 4 minutes, Cake
of Light,
is the most concise, straight ahead rock song on the record. Made
memorable with some big drum crashes and a little bit of synth on the
way out.
Gloamer
closes
the record in unique fashion. The track has guest vocals (my
apologies for not knowing who this is) delivering some indie rock
mantras over the bands crashing drums and angular, feedback laden
guitars. An monumental closer to say the least.
I
have very quickly become a huge fan of Pigs x7. As a kid that grew up
on Touch & Go Records, Am-Rep style noise noise rock and the
joyous anarchy of The Melvins. Pigs x7 have set themselves apart from
the rest and taken position at the top of the noise rock world.
Familiarise yourself with the band and grab a copy of King of
Cowards, it is a unique and satisfying listening experience and
unquestionable one of the best records of the year.
Todd S - Instagram @alltheghoststhathauntyou
Words by Todd Stealey
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