Pigs could be representative of a number of things-- the anti-cop mentality of many flagship hardcore bands, a gritty, mud-bathing punk sound, or perhaps the "pigfuck" division of '80s proto-noise rock. Despite the ambiguity of its name, the New York trio's members have rich histories and far-reaching connections. Ex-Players Club drummer Jim Paradise once performed with bassist Dave Curran, who is currently a member of Unsane, a band whose latest two albums have been produced by Andrew Schneider. These three like-minded veterans joined to record You Ruin Everything, a fitting addition to each of their discographies.
If Unsane's 2012 effort Wreck managed to shatter your skull, You Ruin Everything will be sure to carry out the granulation. An elaborate drum pattern opens "Give It", yet Curran and Paradise bring about enough vigor in their riffs to save the rhythm from convolution. Age can easily be detected within the vocals' inherent gravel, and their charm reassures listeners that the style Pigs advocate has long before it can fully dissolve. The following "Whitewash" and "Massive Operator Error" deliver sharp, adhesive, and anthemic melodies, and "Drained"'s menacing half-step bends are close to the antithesis.
"Outburst Calendar" tips its hat to Shellac's unmistakable dynamic between croaking bass and thorny guitar leads. Conversely, the pummel of "Mashantucket" is urged by rudimentary and virtually ubiquitous chords. Curran orders listeners to "eviscerate [their] conscience" in the chorus, so the visceral nature of the songwriting feels at least deliberately headbang-inducing. The two-part suite "At Least It's An Ethos" closes the album with what introduces itself as a somewhat homogenous rocker, then morphs into a vehement instrumental jam that boils and simmers into static.
Alongside Unsane, Pigs have kept the golden age of post-hardcore in tandem with our constantly evolving underground music culture nearly 20 years since. With coarse guitars, metallic bass, and roomy drums, Schneider colors You Ruin Everything in a very Albini-like hue and lets the '90s nostalgia loom large over it. The product isn't a total homage, though, for tinges of modern-day sludge find their way into Curran's towering chords without slowing to an enervating tempo. Pigs are open to acknowledging the past, though they wish to advance beyond it, even if these advancements are very slight.
[Pigs Website]
[Stream/Buy You Ruin Everything from Solar Flare Records]
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