Band:	Pig Destroyer
Album:	Book Burner
Style:	Grindcore
Release date:	October 2012

Disc I
01. Sis
02. The American's Head
03. The Underground Man
04. Eve
05. The Diplomat
06. All Seeing Eye
07. Valley Of The Geysers
08. Book Burner
09. Machiavellian
10. Baltimore Strangler
11. White Lady
12. The Bug
13. Iron Drunk
14. Burning Palm
15. Dirty Knife
16. Totaled
17. Kamikaze Heart
18. King Of Clubs
19. Permanent Funeral

Disc II [bonus]
01. Depression [Black Flag cover]
02. Wolfs Blood [Misfits cover]
03. Lights Out [Angry Samoans cover]
04. Can't Tell No One [Negative Approach cover]
05. Deny Everything [Circle Jerks cover]
06. Betray [Minor Threat cover]
07. Who Are You? [Void cover]

Pig Destroyer's fifth album Book Burner emerged after a five-year hiatus following a monumental release in Phantom Limb. With the addition of the new drummer Adam Jarvis, the band showcases a relentless grindcore force, honed through extensive touring. Hammering and plowing for thirty-two minutes, the album brims with venomous energy, with an evolving signature sound encompassing a blend of disparate elements surfacing right from the start, just like any Pig Destroyer record.

What sets Book Burner apart isn't just the return to shorter, punchier burst tracks, but rather the band's adeptness at structuring the album into digestible segments comprised of multiple songs. Take, for instance, the opening barrage from "Sis" to "The Diplomat," or the relentless sprint towards the album's end from "Dirty Knife" to "King Of Clubs" - each song maintains its distinct identity, their meticulous arrangement providing listeners with landmarks amidst the relentless assault. With an average song length of two minutes, the blistering pace set by the drums may be hard to keep up with, but there are moments of respite where the band slows down for some groovier rock sections. The following are notable album highlights, starting with the most powerful track "The Diplomat", featuring fast-paced thrashy riffs and groove-laden chops that are for the most part at the top of their game. It is brilliantly written and superbly executed with a blistering atmosphere. Then barges in "Baltimore Strangler", a total riffball that hits listeners harder than being hit by DTC bus in Delhi, and takes a good swing in with a headbanging, mosh-inducing groove that sets the tone right on the spot. Let's not overlook "Burning Palm", where adrenaline-fueled melodic riffs ignite a tension that ensnares listeners with the sickest hooks in this fucking business.

J.R Hayes maintains rasping screams and raw intensity throughout the record, but it was slightly less abrasive compared to Terrifyer and Prowler In The Yard. A bunch of guest vocalists, such as Jason Netherton (Misery Index) on "The Diplomat", Richard Johnson (Agoraphobic Nosebleed) on "The Underground Man", and Kat Katz on tracks like "Eve" and "The Bug” offer different dimensions to the album's vocal dynamics. The guitar work seamlessly shifts between thunderous, churning chord progressions and lightning-speed scale runs, often pausing abruptly to launch into unexpected, split-second reversals that jolt the listener with aural whiplash.

The production sounds harsh even compared with Phantom Limb, as it blares scratchy layers of gnarled electronic noise on top of the music. It seems as though Pig Destroyer aimed to blend the massive riffage and weight of Phantom Limb with the frenetic energy of their earlier, more traditional grindcore albums. However, compositions feel fuzzy, less engaging, and repetitive, while the album becomes a stream of samey elements, over and over and over again, pushing it far away from powerhouses like Terrifyer and Prowler in the Yard. Additionally, the drumming, while aiming for an organic feel, comes across as bleak and weak, and programmed. It gives a synthetic touch to the meaty riffs and hooks. Pig Destroyer's enduring commitment to pushing the boundaries of grindcore, infusing it with both visceral energy and innovative twists, sets them apart from their contemporaries. Their relentless dedication and intense creativity elevate them to a level beyond most peers in the genre. It's the sheer force of their sound, a visceral experience that resonates in both your ears and your gut, that truly defines their power and impact.

Highlights: "The Diplomat", "Baltimore Strangler" and "Burning Palm"