Death Hilarious is a non-stop joyride into a world of crushing, psychedelic, sludgy rock and roll. Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs are back.

Released: 4th April 2025

Label: Rocket Recordings

Format: CD / Vinyl / Digital

PIGS PIGS PIGS PIGS PIGS PIGS PIGS

Newcastle stoner metal outfit Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs are back with their fifth album to date. Death Hilarious is a wild ride packed to the brim with fuzzed out guitars, tight trance-inducing grooves and aggressive, yet witty vocals. The record sees the group taking their now established psych rock sound to new, unexpected places.

The intro, Blockage, wastes absolutely no time at all, opening with a chunky, chugging guitar riff, grabbing the listeners attention straight away. It’s powerful and driving with blasting drum fills that backdrop the catchy yet intense vocals through the verses. As the song continues, we reach a sweet half time groove that keeps the song feeling fresh and unpredictable, all in all, making it such a memorable and effective opener.

Detroit follows with a banging ¾ groove accompanied by a much more menacing guitar tone, creating a significantly darker atmosphere. The visceral feel of the track is powered by the hypnotising drum groove courtesy of drummer Ewan Mackenzie who not only shines on this song, but throughout the entire record. Showing their versatility, the band pivot to a grander and more emotional second half which is incredibly effective, keeping the listener immersed.

EL-P

Working through Death Hilarious, we reach Stitches; the record’s biggest ear worm. The song feels optimistic and almost triumphant, making it stand out amongst the darkness and intensity that surrounds it in the track list. The bright synth lead towards the back end, really makes the track soar as it reaches its peak. Definitely a standout moment on the album.

However, it’s not long until we are thrown back into the sludge and brutality with Glib Tongued. The plodding bass line paired with the wild guitar lead creates such an unsettling yet satisfying groove. Featured on the track is New York hip hop royalty El-P. It’s a collaboration that not many would have expected, yet it works so well. Even as a massive Run The Jewels fan, it’s great to hear El-P over some different production that brings out a style of delivery I haven’t heard from him in a long time. His verse is blunt and to the point which matches the songs tone perfectly.

A MIND-BENDING COLOSSUS

The back half of Death Hilarious does not disappoint with the mind-bending colossus that is The Wyrm next up. The track harbours one of the most entrancing builds on the entire album just in its opening minutes. In its full seven-minute run time, we go from groove to groove each more ferocious and unpredictable than the last. Carousel on the other hand is a simpler track that still manages to stand out as a highlight. It’s a classic, quirky psych rock banger that I can’t wait to return to over and over again.

Closing the album is the longest track so far, the eight-and-a-half-minute odyssey, Toecurler. It’s an absolute journey that takes the listener to another world, spiralling over and over. The pianos that are introduced in the massive build towards the end let the song feel even more special and powerful. As the crushing repetition cuts out, the track refuses to end. Instead, the band launch back into one final jam for the last minute, seeing the album out seamlessly.

Death Hilarious is an immersive, rollercoaster of an album that feels cathartic through its chaos. It’s an album whose force is truly unstoppable.

Here’s Glib Tongued (Feat: El-P) from Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs.

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