Album Review: PIG – Red Room

Red Room, PIG’s most recent album, is a strong addition to Raymond Watts’s career and has their trademark combination of deep atmospheric tones and hard riffs. While the album does not necessarily stretch far beyond PIG’s signature sound, it does have enough highlights and moments of musical camaraderie to keep listeners engaged — showing that the band can still produce interesting metal.

“Crumbs Chaos & Lies,” which opens the album, sets the mood with a somber, slow-burning piece that entices the listener into the gloomy atmosphere. The intimidating voices and powerful guitars create an atmosphere that permeates the whole song. It may not be the most dramatic beginning, but it does a good job of setting the tone for what is to come.

PIG really finds its stride on the highlight track “Slave to Pleasure.” Watt’s skillfully combines melody and energy as the tempo quickens, creating a catchy and unforgettable song. This song features some of the strongest guitar work on the album, especially in the solos that add a level of intricacy and make the song stand out. The passion and inventiveness that PIG fans have been used to is captured in this song.

Other standouts include “False Flag” and “Dirty Mercy.” These songs are performed with force and accuracy, even if they may adhere to a more well-known template. The mesmerizing impact of the repeating riffs pulls listeners further into the melancholy tone of the record. These tracks demonstrate PIG’s ability to produce rich soundscapes that don’t waver.

PIG finds its stride on the highlight track “Slave to Pleasure.” Production-wise, Red Room adheres to PIG’s harsh and unvarnished aesthetic. Although the mix may not be as polished as more commercial experimental albums, it nonetheless complements the album’s gritty and gloomy style. The drums occasionally stand out, adding to the overall weight of the music, which is dominated by the guitars. The album has a unified, immersive vibe that fits with the band’s creative goal thanks to the production decisions made.

PIG’s characteristic passion in delivering lyrics is evident in the album’s continued exploration of existential dread and psychological agony. Even if the lyrics may be overdone, they fit the album’s atmosphere perfectly and give the gloomy soundscapes more depth.

Ultimately, PIG makes a great attempt with Red Room. Though it doesn’t exactly reinvent the wheel, it does what fans want: atmospheric, powerful metal with a somber, dark edge. This record demonstrates PIG’s constancy and skill at creating music that, although well-known, sounds forceful and new. It’s good for devotees of the genre.