'''Pig Destroyer''' is an American [[grindcore]] band from Alexandria, Virginia, United States.
==Biography==
The band formed in 1997 with vocalist J.R. Hayes (Enemy Soil), guitarist [[Scott Hull]] ([[Agoraphobic Nosebleed]], Japanese Torture Comedy Hour, ex-[[Anal Cunt]]), and drummer John Evans. Evans was later replaced by Brian Harvey. Sampler Blake Harrison joined prior to recording ''[[Phantom Limb]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net//news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=66120|title=Pig Destroyer Begins Recording New Album - Blabbermouth.net|work=BLABBERMOUTH.NET|accessdate=12 October 2014}}</ref>
In an interview, Scott Hull claims that they picked the band name on the criteria that it was insulting, yet somewhat more creative than the name of his last band, Anal Cunt. Deciding that "Cop Killer" or "Cop Destroyer" would be tactless, they eventually settled on "Pig Destroyer" ("pig" being a pejorative American slang term for the police). Derived from a non-musical source as extreme as the band's sound, Pig Destroyer's easily identifiable logo was created using a graphic from ''ANSWER Me!'' magazine as a template. However, the band has become less political in recent times.
[[Relapse Records]] signed the band and issued a split 7" with [[Isis]] on the label's Singles Series in July 2000. ''[[38 Counts of Battery]]'' was a complete discography of Pig Destroyer releases up to the year 2000, which included split records with Gnob and influential screamo act Orchid, as well as their debut album, ''[[Explosions In Ward 6]]'', and the demo that secured their record deal.
''[[Prowler in the Yard]]'', released in 2001, was the first of the band's records to really break through to what could contextually be considered the "mainstream." Garnering rave reviews from popular press such as ''Kerrang!'' and ''Terrorizer'', the record earned Pig Destroyer headlining slots at the 2002 New England Metal and Hardcore Festival and the 2002 Relapse Records CMJ Showcase, as well as a high placing at 2003's Relapse Contamination Fest alongside scene legends [[High on Fire]] and [[The Dillinger Escape Plan]] (documented on the Relapse Contamination Fest DVD).
2004's ''[[Terrifyer]]'' boasted a much clearer sound than ''Prowler in the Yard'' or ''38 Counts of Battery'', as well as lyrics and prose from Hayes. The record came with an accompanying DVD soundscape entitled "Natasha", which was intended to be listened to in surround sound (although a more recent Japanese edition of the album has "Natasha" as an ordinary CD with four bonus tracks). Session guitarist Matthew Kevin Mills, Hull's former guitar teacher, recorded the lead guitar parts in the song "Towering Flesh".
A compilation of tracks from the split EPs with Gnob and [[Benümb]] is also available, entitled ''[[Painter of Dead Girls]]''. The album features alternative versions of older songs from the ''38 Counts'' era (such as "Dark Satellites"), a series of new songs (such as "Rejection Fetish" and "Forgotten Child"), and covers of bands who could be considered an influence (such as The Stooges and [[Helmet]]).
Pig Destroyer have stated that they would release a series of 9 split 7" EPs in 2006. Bands on the flipside include [[Orthrelm]] and [[Blood Duster]]; however, nothing has yet been released. The 7" series has been put on hold for the release of ''Phantom Limb''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=24046|title=Pig Destroyer Recording New Album|publisher=Metalunderground.com|accessdate=12 October 2014}}</ref>
2007 saw the release of album ''[[Phantom Limb]]'' via [[Relapse Records]], complete with album artwork designed by John Baizley ([[Baroness]], [[Torche]]).
At least four official promotional [[Music video|videos]] have been made of Pig Destroyer songs: "Piss Angel", from ''Prowler in the Yard''; "Gravedancer", from ''Terrifyer''; "Loathsome", from ''Phantom Limb''; and "The Diplomat", from ''Book Burner''. The first three have aired on MTV2's Headbangers Ball, with each video seeing more airplay than the one that was released before it. The video for "Piss Angel" debuted on the show on Aug. 14, 2004, and was directed by Kenneth Thibault and Nathaniel Baruch.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=25768|title=Pig Destroyer: 'Piss Angel' Video To Premiere On 'Headbanger's Ball' - Blabbermouth.net|work=BLABBERMOUTH.NET|accessdate=12 October 2014}}</ref> The video for "Gravedancer" was directed by Vladimir Lik and released in 2007. The video for "Loathsome" was directed by David Brodsky and debuted in late 2007. The video for "The Diplomat" was directed by Phil Mucci and released on October 26, 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.relapse.com/label/news/pig-destroyer-premiere-new-video-for-the-diplomat-on-noisey-new-album-book-burner-available-now-on-relapse-records.html|title=Pig Destroyer - PIG DESTROYER Premiere New Video for "The Diplomat" on Noisey, New Album Book Burner Available Now on Relapse Records - Relapse Records : Death Metal, Grindcore, Extreme Metal CDs, DVDs, Vinyl, T-Shirts, Hoodies and merchandise|publisher=Relapse.com|accessdate=12 October 2014}}</ref>
In 2011, Harvey was replaced by [[Misery Index]] drummer Adam Jarvis.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theprp.com/2011/07/07/news/pig-destroyer-confirm-new-drummer/|title=Pig Destroyer Confirm New Drummer|work=Theprp.com - Metal And Hardcore News Plus Reviews And More|accessdate=12 October 2014}}</ref>
On August 8, 2012, the title and artwork for the band's fifth studio album, ''[[Book Burner]]'', was announced. It was released on October 22, 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.decibelmagazine.com/featured/db-exclusive-studio-footage-from-upcoming-pig-destroyer-album-book-burner/|title=dB Exclusive: Studio Footage From Upcoming Pig Destroyer Album Book Burner - Decibel Magazine|publisher=Decibelmagazine.com|accessdate=12 October 2014}}</ref> Pig Destroyer headlined the Terrorizer stage at the Damnation Festival in Leeds in November 2012, which marked their first United Kingdom show in eight years.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.damnationfestival.co.uk/news|title=Damnation Festival - Official Website|publisher=Damnationfestival.co.uk|accessdate=12 October 2014}}</ref>
On March 4, 2013, Pig Destroyer released an EP titled ''Mass & Volume'' via Bandcamp. Recorded at the end of the ''Phantom Limb'' sessions, this EP was released as part of a charity effort to benefit the family of recently deceased Relapse Records employee Pat Egen.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=186996|title=Pig Destroyer Releases 'Mass & Volume' Ep - Blabbermouth.net|work=BLABBERMOUTH.NET|accessdate=12 October 2014}}</ref> In September 2013, Adult Swim released the song "The Octagonal Stairway" as part of the 2013 Adult Swim Singles Series.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://exclaim.ca/MusicVideo/ClickHear/pig_destroyer-octogonal_stairway|title=Pig Destroyer|publisher=Exclaim.ca|accessdate=12 October 2014}}</ref> In October 2013, Adam Jarvis's cousin John Jarvis joined Pig Destroyer as the band's first bass player.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/pig-destroyer-adds-bassist/|title=Pig Destroyer Adds Bassist - Blabbermouth.net|work=BLABBERMOUTH.NET|accessdate=12 October 2014}}</ref>
==Influences==
[[Scott Hull]] has mentioned artist Matthew Barney, author Dennis Cooper, and noise musicians Whitehouse as influencing his music.<ref name="abpd"/> Pig Destroyer is inspired by [[thrash metal]], such as [[Dark Angel]] and [[Slayer]], the [[sludge metal]] of [[The Melvins]], and American grindcore as practiced by [[Brutal Truth]].<ref name=abpd>[http://www.decibelmagazine.com/features/jul2007/pigdestroyer.aspx] {{dead link|date=October 2014}}</ref>
==Members==
*[http://bloodandshutter.com/photos/pig-destroyer-brooklyn-masonic-temple-7-31-09 Live Photos of Pig Destroyer at Blackened Music Series Event 2009]
{{Pig Destroyer}}
[[Category:American grindcore musical groups]]
[[Category:Deathgrind musical groups]]