Here’s the thing about being a proven face-melting band: the expectation is that you will find new ways to melt faces with each record. Coming off the back of ‘Land of Sleeper’ — an album that solidified them as a leading name in stoner-rock — Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs find themselves burdened with this kind of heavy scrutiny as ‘Death Hilarious’ arrives.
The main question looming over this juggernaut of a band’s fifth album is whether they can deliver something that matches and potentially overpowers their already hench back catalogue.Well, riff-chasers and breakdown lovers can sleep easy knowing they have plenty of meat to chew on here.
‘Death Hilarious’ offers exactly the kind of sucker-punching, jaw-breaking, body-slamming catharsis you would expect from peak Pigsx7.
Throughout, sublime riffs accompany ferocious drum work from Ewan Mackenzie, arriving topped with some borderline soul-levitating solos from lead guitarist Adam Ian Sykes.
But, there is an interesting comparison to be drawn between the things that feel fresh and those that are a little frustrating in their familiarity. The real excitement comes from faster-paced songs such as Stitches and album opener Blockage, which administer a welcome shot of adrenaline. Old heads will also love the whiplash of the sudden and dramatic tempo changes in Collider and The Wyrm.
Pigsx7’s main strength, then, lies in keeping their fans on their toes — when they harness this properly there is nothing to do but succumb to their might. That said, there are moments on ‘Death Hilarious’ when a tendency to revisit familiar territory and lean on overinflated, slow-paced riffs becomes apparent. It’s never remotely bad, it’s just that we’ve heard it before.
Cutting back against that is a major triumph in the form of frontman Matthew Baty’s ability to integrate themes as heavy as the riffs into the songs. He takes aim at abhorrent abuse during Detroit, while on Glib Tongued he is assisted by Run The Jewels’ El-P in encapsulating the limitations of an outdated national identity. When coupled with his commanding vocal performance — with such a brutal sound comes brutal responsibility — Baty truly takes the bull by the horns here.
Equally, you cannot help but admire a band that has fought tooth and nail to earn what they have. ‘Death Hilarious’ serves as another leap forward in Pigs x7’s journey — it’s a blast of a record that will have fans drooling with anticipation to jump into the pit.
Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows
Mon April 07 2025 - NOTTINGHAM Rescue Rooms
Tue April 08 2025 - BIRMINGHAM Castle and Falcon
Wed April 09 2025 - BIRKENHEAD Future Yard
Fri April 11 2025 - MANCHESTER New Century Hall
Sat April 12 2025 - LEEDS Brudenell Social Club
Sun April 13 2025 - LEEDS Brudenell Social Club
Tue April 15 2025 - EDINBURGH La Belle Angele
Wed April 16 2025 - GLASGOW Saint Luke's
Fri April 25 2025 - NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE Star & Shadow
Sat April 26 2025 - NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE Star & Shadow
Sun April 27 2025 - NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE Star & Shadow
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