Head Cage

Pig Destroyer - Head Cage
Critic Score
Based on 10 reviews
2018 Ratings: #47 / 890
User Score
Based on 133 ratings
2018 Rank: #521
Liked by 7 people
September 7, 2018 / Release Date
LP / Format
Relapse / Label
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CRITIC REVIEWS

100
MetalSucks
Having taken grindcore as we know it about as far as it can go, they’ve now fulfilled their destiny of being a creative force unburdened by the need to conform to anyone’s standards besides their own. And they’ve done so spectacularly.
90
Exclaim!

Ultimately, it's the divergent atmospheres and textures, the variety of the arrangements and the thoughtful song compositions by mastermind guitarist and primary songwriter Scott Hull that make Head Cage stand out.

81
Pitchfork
The Mid-Atlantic’s grindcore standard bearers have never done it better than they do on their sixth studio album, the strangest, strongest, and most accessible record in the band’s 20-year history.
80
PopMatters

Their socially transgressive lyrics and musically daring effort may lose the group some listeners. But reinvention after reinvention they have proven themselves to be a metal group who perhaps even enjoys tormenting their fans and who assuredly are afraid of no one. It is more within their style to illicit fear anyway.

80
Sputnikmusic
Pig Destroyer may have switched from a chainsaw that cuts quickly to a hacksaw that takes a bit longer, but they’re still creating phantom limbs, and the blood and viscera are still present.
80
Metal Injection

Yes, there are undeniable faults, but Head Cage is nonetheless proof that 21 years later, Pig Destroyer is still one of metal’s most celebrated creative forces for a damn good reason, that’s more than anyone could’ve reasonably asked for.

75
Consequence of Sound

On Head Cage, the group delivers their signature grind sound but mix in elements of noise, sludge, death metal, doom, hardcore, and a little bit of technical and progressive elements, producing a richer whole.

70
AllMusic

Unrelentingly harsh and moving deliberately away from previously charted territory, Head Cage might disappoint fans looking for a rehash of former styles and statements, but those excited by Pig Destroyer's journey through new forms of despair and hostility will enjoy hearing their hybrid sound continue to mutate.

Aoaystheory
81

Anybody who thinks this is their best should get their ass kicked

Quag3418K3l
80

Dark Train is a nice speedy introduction, I enjoy the lyrics on this one. Army of Cops has a fun almost djenty groove to it, easy to jump and bounce to. Circle River has a more thrashy mid to fast tempo structure, it's pretty good and I appreciate the variation but it doesn't have as much oomph to it.

The Torture Fields grings the energy back big time, love the Dying Fetus style groove at the end. Concrete Beast is okay, It's well done but I feel like im missing the ferocity. Mt. Skull and ... read more

itsyahboinoah
63

This is probably one of pig destroyer weakest releases yet. Their newest album head cage leans more into metal-core side this time around. Pig destroyer are known to dwell into different types of genres, so this isn't new but what makes me say this is one of their weakest releases is the standard by your numbers meaty rifts and tons of blast beats. This production on here felt dare I say too clean for pig destroyer. The reasons as to why I love pig destroyer earlier records mainly their holy ... read more

Quag3418K3l
80

Dark Train is a nice speedy introduction, I enjoy the lyrics on this one. Army of Cops has a fun almost djenty groove to it, easy to jump and bounce to. Circle River has a more thrashy mid to fast tempo structure, it's pretty good and I appreciate the variation but it doesn't have as much oomph to it.

The Torture Fields grings the energy back big time, love the Dying Fetus style groove at the end. Concrete Beast is okay, It's well done but I feel like im missing the ferocity. Mt. Skull and ... read more

Poopiemusic
84

Had heard the majority of this before but only finished it now because I didn't wanna sit through another entire pig destroyer album directly after litsening to one. That being said, this is easily their worst I've heard so far even if it still is a good album. It goes for a more basic and stereotypical approach to grindcore that I stay away from and don't like much and the sound is just so generic even if it's still good because, well, it's pig destroyer.

DubstepIsDead
85

Cocaine straight to the veins! Doesn't do much to stand out but it's just super effective in it's frantic intensity.

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Added on: June 28, 2018