Pig Frenzy
Hogtied

8/2/2019

Standing in front of Duct Tape Studio, I scanned the array of band stickers placed upon the glass window pane. Suddenly, a pastel pink sticker that consisted of minimal-style sketch of a man wearing a pig’s head and his genitals out immediately caught my eye. Looking closer, a selection of letters were placed on the bottom that spelled ‘P I G F R E N Z Y.’

My curiosity was officially sparked. It was soon thereafter that I begun to see this image and hear this name more and more frequently. I discovered later on that Duct Tape Studio was, in fact, where this band Pig Frenzy had recorded their first EP, Self-Titled.

While having had high visual-based expectations, there was no disappointment was garnered when I saw them live on the Vessel 11 for the Rotterdam showcase festival Left of the Dial, nor when first hearing the S/T EP.

Myself, and others, were audibly hooked and simply could not get enough of those four tracks, we itched for more. Alas, we’ve finally been given what we yearned for, as Pig Frenzy releases their new DIY album, Hogtied. The five-track DIY album was once again recorded in Rotterdam at Duct Tape Studio.

Hogtied remains parallel to the band’s past crude and raw soundscapes, while also illuminating the band’s refinement in both production and songwriting. ‘Consent Creeps’ and ‘F.W.B‘ assure Pig Frenzy fans that they can still bank on hearing the signature snappy drum tempo that spawned off the S/T album.

‘Ants’ provides a pleasant deja vu of the wonky “off” guitar riffs akin to the track ‘Second Nature,’ while ascending beyond it by including conceptual song-writing. Reminiscent of the children’s song ‘The Ants Go Marching,’ the track ‘Ants‘ naurally aligns itself to the age-old concept through a militaristic, marching tempo.

Pig Frenzy’s frustration with society’s ant-like way of being reaches an eventual climax and their desire to wreak chaos and havoc is aurally brought to fruition. This desire, being fully realized, crashes down therapeutically upon its listener(s).

As the album moves on to ‘Direct Message’ and ‘Social Construct,’ a new sound emerges comparable to that of Institute, along with a highlights in each of the members evolution in skill. ‘Direct Message’ consists of screeching guitar strings and layered screams that somehow still seem controlled.

‘Social Construct’ embodies a more complex style of drumming akin to the sudden, spaced-out drum rolls heard in Oral Moral. Thus, an increase in intensity in each of the member’s technique equally occurs alongside each members advancement in skill.

Order here

– Megan Phipps