AMG Review of Natasha [CD]

Greg Prato
All Music Guide

Pig Destroyer has always been about bludgeoning you over the noggin with insane grindcore -- rapid-fire style -- thanks to such releases as 2004's Terrifyer. And as with most grindcore bands, Pig Destroyer was all about quick, succinct songs, that whizzed by in the blink of an eye, before you even knew what hit you. However, on their 2008 offering, Natasha, the group has gone in the complete opposite direction, as they've seemingly reinvented themselves as a Melvins-style sludge metal band, and have issued an album comprised of a single, 35-minute song. There's no track skipping available here, folks, so Natasha is one of those "meant to be listened to in its entirety" type deals. But the whole thing is a seemingly never-ending sonic wave of drones, feedback, silence, slow riffing, etc. (resembling the 2004 release, Delirium Cordia, by the Melvins-related Fantômas, at times -- another "single song" album). For those who were expecting a continuation of Terrifyer-style Pig Destroyer, you're bound to be mighty disappointed with Natasha.