Prowler in the Yard

Pig Destroyer: Jr Hayes (vocals); Scott Hull (guitar); Brian Harvey (drums).
Recorded from August 2000 to March 2001.
Personnel: J.R. Hayes (vocals); Scott Hull (guitar); Brian Harvey (drums).
Recording information: Brian's Basement (08/2000-03/2001).
The gruesome cover art adorning PROWLER IN THE YARD pales in comparison to the carnage inflicted by the music itself. Though it's Pig Destroyer's first proper full-length, they already had enough material behind them to have released a collected discography, as well as the devastating chops and experience of a veteran act. After the disturbing, computer-voiced intro, "Jennifer," Pig Destroyer turns on the gas and never lets up for the rest of the album. But whereas grindcore famously ignores traditional songcraft in favor of land-speed record drumming and flurries of guitar noise, Pig Destroyer has taken the time to develop powerfully structured songs. "Mapplethorpe Grey" barely cracks a minute, but its micro-mini electric blues riffs and stop-start breakdowns can snap necks; the slower, grinding "Starbelly" steamrolls through its epic-length five-plus minutes; and the closer, "Piss Angel," employs metallic crunch and high-pitched squall along with J.R. Hayes's raw-throated screams for maximum effect.