All Pigs Must Die - Hostage Animal (Southern Lord) 2017
8
Arguably the most important thing to take from listening All Pigs Must Die’s latest studio album is that their constant displays of aggression and the unyielding heaviness are not the most import details, even though it gives it an amazing and undeniable flavour since we’re talking about this crust punk/hardcore all-star band (members of The Hope Conspiracy, Converge, Bloodhorse and Trap Them’s Brian Izzi). It’s their songwriting and the gripping way they find a sort of freshness with the many approaches used throughout the whole thing. This 35-minute album acts like a smilodon, and like any respectful apex predator the movement and direction is made with great intent and a certain grace. Their sonic vision and execution on Hostage Animal can hardly be praised enough.