PIG DESTROYER Head Cage Album Review | Overkill Reviews 

Good job separating your personal feelings about the record and the objective side of its critique... Very good review!

Love the "confused, concerned, shocked aroused" reference at the beginning

As a life long metal head in his mid 30's, I love this album. Great mix of grind and groove.

*hides in the corner holding his personal favorite PD album... Phantom Limb*

youre doing cool reviews sarah. Keep it up!

"Formed in 1997 by guitarist Scott Hall" hey yo! Another band for the bad guy

This is their best album since Terrifyer. It combines all the heavy elements of all forms of extreme sound. Well done.

I think it’s a great album. I love everything PxDx has done though , so I’m a little biased. That said I’m gonna just say that PxDx aren’t a grind band anymore , I’m just going to call them ‘fucking metal’ which I think is suiting.

Interesting topic of the divide between pre & post 2004 Pig Destroyer, as I fan who came in on Phantom Limb, I see the difference and reverence for the earlier albums. Head Cage is a great followup to PxDx's last decade of material.

The review was a bit confusing cause at times didn’t seemed like she liked it but then gave it four skulls out of five , it’s pig destroyer though that’s what separates them from other bands being different

Sarah is becoming one of my favourite reviewers. She's really good at being objective and she seriously knows her metal! Also, I heard about Hooded Menace through watching her Temple of Void review, and they're probably my band of the year.

Cool interview! Love the shout outs. They help me find new music.

I started listening to PD when Terrifyer came out and I have loved listening to this band evolve with each release. Yes Prowler was and is disquieting on several levels, but I think PD have become geniuses at causing discomfort on new and more challenging levels with each record and that is fucking amazing. This is my nomination for album of the year (unless High On Fire comes out bongs blazing in October). Cheers and thanks for another solid review Sarah.

album is just ehhh. Hate the drum sound also Natasha was a bonus audio dvd that came with Terrifyer. It was released solo years later, and its a DOOM song.

not a fan of grindcore but a fan of sarah

If you told me this album came out in 2003 and I had never heard Pig Destroyer, I would just say this is a really awesome metalcore/deathcore album. Tons of grooves and breakdowns and tech-y riffs. Almost reminds me of The Red Chord.

This was a fantastic breakdown.

Now I know what I am listening to on the ride home.

Human 2.0 is the best Nasum album.

Great review, Sarah. I find myself in the same headspace as you with this album. I actually went back and listened to it again after watching the review (making it the 4th time thru the album overall for me) and I even though I did find myself digging it a little more this time around I just don't see myself throwing this one on if I can just click on Prowler In The Yard or Terrifyer instead.

I also like dissonance/noise over-the-place/ uncomfortable= I love Head Cage!!!

Maybe if this came out on wax cylinder for victrola Sarah would enjoy it more.

Head cage rules

Based on past reviews, Sarah and I tend to agree with most things musically, however, this is a rare one where we had completely different views of the album, which is totally rad! I've never been a Pig Destroyer fan. I've appreciated them, but never had anything 'click'. Head Cage changed that for me. It gave me something to actually like, maybe even love, by a band I never expected to ever enjoy. I give a personal skull rating before watching each video, and Sarah and I had the same rating, but for completely different reasons and I think that's rad. It's also cool to get a glimpse of the history process of the bios and reviews. Maybe in the future we could get a video of each reviewing discussing their research process? Anyone else interested in a behind the scenes video like that? Could be a great filler video for the holidays!

Excellent review, Sarah, especially looking at the album on objectivity alone. I’ve always appreciated an honest viewpoint regarding art in any of its form. I would like to offer my opinion on the album, to whoever is interested. First off, let me state that I am a “hardcore kid” first and a “metal-head” second. I can appreciate both forms of music for what it is and for what they offer the listener/consumer. Secondly, I have been a Pig Destroyer fan since around the time “Terrorizer” dropped and I have enjoyed each subsequent release even more so than the previous. To date, “Book Burner” was my favorite for the simple fact it, in my opinion, perfectly demonstrated what an artist can do when they perfectly meld their influences into one cohesive work. Now, onto my opinion of “Head Cage”. I love it, plain and simple. With the addition of John on bass, the band adds a piece to their sonic artillery that I didn’t know they needed, but glad they found. When considering grindcore, let’s not kid ourselves into thinking the genre cannot become stagnant or repetitive. I think with adding a different dynamic to the fabric of the song structures, you end up developing a musical mongrel; equal parts intensity, aggression, and technical prowess. What I’m referring to is best explained when listening to “House of Snakes”. To me, it’s the extreme music equivalent of breeding a ravenous dog with all of the best attributes of other breeds. Hardcore punk, technical death, sludge, and groove are all interwoven into the song and for me it is the crowning achievement of the album and a fitting ender. I enjoy the diversity of the record and I appreciate a conscious effort on the artist’s part to try and improve upon everything they previously accomplished. The album is definitely a 10 out of 10 for me. I just hope we don’t have to wait over a half a decade to get another PD album.

I liked Book Burner, so good news for me.

Terrifyer and Phantom Limb are easily my favourite albums from them, but this new album has me really interested. It's strange and certainly not what I expected, but I feel like it'll grow on me.

I listen to a lot of metal, and I’m no stranger to graphic and controversial content, but Prowler In The Yard is one of the few records that genuinely made me uncomfortable. Glad to hear that it had that effect on other fans, too.

I've been wanting to listen to this today, but I can't stop listening to the new Clutch album that came out today.

Good review as always Sarah. I haven't been a huge fan of the new songs that were released prior to the album's release date, but I'm still gonna check it out just in case. Also, I'll back Helvete being Nasum's best record.

I like the album a lot, but I don't love it. Book Burner was more satisfying to me. And you're right, Sarah. Prowler is definitely their best album, but my favorite is Terrifyer. The raw noisy grind of that album is just awesome and hits the spot.

I had never heard PxDx until book burner. I loved it. I love head cage and I really enjoy the layers of genres and evolution of sound. I have listened to all the other albums. I guess you had to be there to get it, because they don’t do much for me. Head cage are songs I want to hear live and play on my own. Basically it sounds like they evolved into a live band vs a studio band with drum machines. I’m just a newer fan that likes what I hear.

4 out of 5? Wtf Sara, you said you couldn't understand it or pull a section that you liked the best. I don't understand the score

Sarah, I really appreciate your academic and rigorous approach to your reviews! Keep up the excellent work!

Head Cage is good, personally I like it. I feel like it's a softer release than the last two albums. I appreciate the experimentation they do.

Prowler in the Yard: Grindcore masterpiece. Agreed. As time has passed, Phantom Limb is my favorite though. I wasn't too attached to it when I first heard it, but like you said, I was expecting Prowler in the Yard 2.0 with Terrifyer... and I woke up too many mornings with Natasha playing in the background thinking, we have a serious cricket problem. From your review, and I have not heard Head Case yet, (I pre-ordered the cassette, very excited) it sounds like it's gonna take a minute to sink in. I'm ok with that.

Great review. With something as subjective as music.. it's hard to keep opinions separate from objectivity. Nicely done. (And I generally have little use for Grind Core, but the review was fair and honest). Kudos Sarah!

It's really grown on me a lot. Army of Cops didn't do it for me when it was released, but works much better in the context of the album. After my second listen it's really started to click. Prowler is still their best though :D

But don't forget: it's a new Pig Destroyer album. Enough said. 😂

Love your review Sarah !

All you had to say was..."Kat's vocals are in this song." and I already knew I would like it more than the other songs on here. I opened that song up on Spotify so fast. Thanks!

Thank you, Sarah. Your reviews are my favorite. I love your effort and attention to detail.

The album is very good in a vacuum and is very listenable, but the texture and sound is a little alienated from the genre origins. Basically the album would be the best one they've done, had the other ones not been such a thing in grindcore.

I think that what I have heard of Head Cage so far is that it kills! We as artists grow as people and musicians over time and the music we write at a certain point reflects on us at that time. I'm pretty sure that Scott and the rest of the band are in a very different space to where they were when they wrote and recorded Prowler in the Yard. Hats off to them for keeping it real and doing what they want.

Such a rad review. Insightful and in depth. Keep killing it!

First time seeing this channel. Awesome review. Subscribed

Prowler in the Yard. Yes. Really captures that raw energy and brutality. Especially the track Mapplethorpe Grey.

Sarah is someone who's invited to that mythical "barbeque" full of the most interesting and unique people in the world who enrich whatever space they occupy with their remarkable personality. The BBQ is only an idea, representing a fantasy like would be scenario that would likely never happen. Many of the attendees to this BBQ are already dead yet are nonetheless invited. In short, it's a tremendous honor to be invited. Cheers.

Is there a story in the booklet of the physical? Loved that in prowler and terrifyer

Sarah is easily the best reviewer on this channel. She has a way of seeing things from a variety of perspectives, and not only just her own. It's really refreshing in this day and age where most reviews are, "This album sucks, I don't like it, and neither should you, and fuck you if you disagree with me". Great review as always.

I always will love pig destroyer. I got into them when I 1st heard terrifyer. They to me are a good example where a band can grow and still kick ass.

Subbed. Like the pragmatic, no nonsense style of presenting and reviewing an album.

House Of Snakes is definitely my favorite song on the album, even progressive in some points, great stuff

This album kicks ass! Thanks for reviewing it, the band was new to me.

Love this album so much-kicks hard

Love this album, Circle River is my favourite song, easily the most played in my favourites list on Spotify. I can see a definite difference between this and their older stuff, their older stuff just hurts my ears. Not saying it's bad, just not my style.

I'm sold! The album is good. Thank you Sarah!

i know this is a bit old at this point but i love pig destroyer, and i basically agree with everything you said. Prowler was the best for sure (cheerleader corpses has been my ringtone for years lol) but i do personally like them all. Terminal Itch is my fav off of this one

Thanks for the review Sarah. I’m glad you gave it 4 out of 5 because it’s not perfect but it is epic. I know you have a signed Repulsion record but it sounded a little like you are unfamiliar with grindcore as a whole and had to “study” it in order to have a point of reference for the review. Correct or not, I think this record is great. As a long time PD fan, the density and variety is something they do well.

Goddamn, Sarah almost completely summed it all up for my feelings for this PD release! I really prefer the old Pg over the new, but I respect the experimental aspect of their newer music. Rah from the USMC!

Sarah is a consummate researcher. I love it.

This album slays ! also, the intro is a great set up for the rest of it !

All nasum is great nasum. But helvete is hands down the greatest!

My 2 cents is Scott is using material he would have used in Nosebleed, (they actually used to be very busy for a band who never toured) but since they have taken a back seat to Pig Destroyer's success hes blending the two projects in a way. Helvete is Nasum's best record, Inhale/Exhale is amazing but FUCKING HELVETE. If you want a fringe opinion, Jouhou is Discordance Axis's best record. Have a good night.

Hearing about their diverse sound experimentation got me interested. And what was that band name? Goraphobic Nosebleed?

Great review. You really put into words my feelings about the band

Outstanding review and breakdown of this band and their sound.

I agree prowler is their best and they nor anyne else will ever replicate it. Which is a good thing On my initial listen I prefer it to book burner which I wasn't a huge fan of. It's an interesting listen. JRs vocals sound slightly better than BBs too which is good even though his voice is sadly a little shot at this point. Can't wait to get hold of the lyric sheet as usual though Solid effort

Very good work on your review of this body of work. Hail the Heavy!!

I have Horrified on vinyl too, such a classic

Ya Sara! “Hurts my back” well said +1

"Their Best Album; Prowler In The Yard" nuff said. But I do like Head Cage, yeah I miss the old 3-piece sound but oh well. Scotts a fuckin riff master from hell and I'll always back him

Good job Sarah, very good review. And the first I've liked from you. Good job!

I hape Adam cleans up the drum sound for the new Misery Index album.

She's the best. Love Sarah. Thanks for the hard work and research.

New Revocation coming out this month. Get on it!

I will always love Pig Destroyer. They are comfortable doing things that make people uncomfortable and I will always like them for that.

Phantom limb is my favourite album. Perfect balance between grind and catchy songwriting

Need a review of the new korpiklaani record

Regardless of all the changes Pig Destroyer have gone through, I am and will always be a big fan. Although I prefer their more straight up raw grindcore like "Prowler in the Yard" and even their first, "Explosions in Ward 6" (Treblinka is awesome) I dig mostly everything they have put out, with the exception of the song "Gravedancer"... I just couldn't do those vocals, but all bands have their hits and misses. It's also pretty cool they've been going for well over 20 years and (imo) only put out one boo boo. Scott Hull is one of the greatest guitar players in the scene.

If you want their old shit then listen to their old shit...I dig their new material. Book Burner was my album of the year in 2012. Loved it. Love this record too!

Look!! Actual physical releases on the show

Can you guys review the new revocation album when it comes out

Very objective and professional review!

As a long term enthusiast of porcine destruction, I must say, I fucking love this album. It sounds Beast. It isn't pop. It won't be an easy listen for the uninitiated. Nice review too.

I respect the fact that the band is literally, sonically, fucking with people.

Love the review. :)

I love all Pig Destroyer albums, my only gripe is guest vocalists, I mean no disrespect to these great artists, but when I listen to Pig Destroyer I want to hear the mighty JR Hayes and only him...

Lovin the new album it's one of my faves of the year so far,it flows really well and ends with one of they're best songs in house of snakes..much better than bookburner which i thought was good but ran out of steam towards the end.

Well... thats the kind of band I love. Agressive but everytime trying to evolutes itself. Great review. Kisses Sarah.

Awesome album!!! Everything I have heard so far from Pig Destroyer is brutal and makes me happy🤘🏻

Head Cage Sounds fucking Sick and Insane, I love old pig Destroyer and the new shit. Fucking talented and hungry dudes. Respect!

Prowler is great, but done already. Head Cage is album of the year material. I love the ever changing Pig Destroyer sound, nothing wrong with evolving. They continue to always make great music full stop.

Cool T-shirt , Sarah!

I hope you didn't plagiarize "Jennifer" talking about Prowler...because I didn't see a wink.

I LOVE this album!!

Sarah is great but Brad should have reviewed this one.

I will never understand why everyone rides on Prowler's nuts so hard. It's a good grindcore album, if not somewhat textbook. I wonder if she actually listened to 'Terrifyer' lately? That record is so unappreciated, it has a nice balance between noise and grind to moments of strange beauty like "Towering Flesh"

I liked it after the 1st spin.but the louder you play it the more you'll probably dig it

Helvete with Nasum is the best Grindcore album ever!!!!!! good review thanks :)