Tuesday 10 January 2017

Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs - Feed The Rats (Album Review)


Release date: January 20th 2017. Label: Rocket Recordings. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl

Feed The Rats – Tracklisting

Psychopomp
Sweet Relief
Icon

Band Members

Matt Baty (Vocals)
Sam Grant (Guitar)
John-Michael Hedley (Bass)
Ewan Mackenzie (Drums)
Adam Ian Sykes (Guitar)

Review

Immersive. psychedelic, absorbing. All ways that could be used to describe Newcastle Upon Tyne's Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs (Pigs (x7). Riff fuelled, head fucking pleasure is another one and one that is probably the most apt as debut album Feed The Rats on the esteemed Rocket Recordings proves beyond a shadow of a doubt. Having mesmerised listeners with their music for a few years now, the band step up a level with this album which is a focussed realisation of epic ideas and swarming riffs that consumes the listeners ears.

The album opens with the swirling Psychopomp (which was previously released albeit in a slightly different, demo form that was better than the majority's of bands mastered tracks and the finished article will blow minds) and what a way to kick things off, the only way to describe the sound of Pigs (x7) is massive and this is aurally personified by Psychopomp. It's heavy without being in the slightest bit overwhelming, catchy while not sacrificing any of its intensity and all consuming in its power (just check out the incredible conclusion of the song for a manifestation of all out sonic power!)

Following such an accomplished opener should be a difficult task but the much shorter and catchier Sweet Relief is just the way to do it, a riff packed pleasure that sounds like Sabbath and Hawkwind jamming cranks the energy levels up and despite being if a more upbeat nature, keeps the consistency going before Icon finishes things off and what a way to end, this is another epic jam with some totally off the grid riffs and an incredible pounding rhythm topped off with an almost jazz like bas sound and the colossal vocals of Matt Baty consuming all in their path.

The fact that members of the band feature in bands like the mighty Ommadon, Blown Out and Khunnt is most evident in this closing track as it has a more brooding intensity akin to those acts but still maintains that Pigs (x7) spaced out charm and as soon as the song ends you want to put the album on straight away.

Not many bands will put out an album consisting of just three songs and certainly not when two of them are fifteen minute plus epics, sandwiching a markedly shorter song but Pigs (x7) do just that and the results are incredible and work extremely well. The album flies by in a blurry and fuzzy maelstrom of riffed out joy.

2017 is only a few weeks old but with this album it has already got off to a flying start in terms of quality music. Pigs (x7) have delivered the goods with Feed The Rats and long may they reign as when the band take this material on the road then the results are going to blow even more minds.

Words by Gavin Brown

Thanks to Rachel at Silver PR for the promo. Feed The Rats is available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl from January 20th 2017 via Rocket Recordings.

Links: