PIG DESTROYER

PHOTO BY JAY DIXON PIG

INTERVIEW WITH VOCALIST, SAMPLER, AND SYNTH PLAYER BLAKE HARRISON BY ADDISON HERRON-WHEELER

Pig Destoryer’s latest EP, The Octagonal Stairway, out now via Relapse Records, is a study in minimalism. For the first half of the album, if we’re breaking it up into side A and side B on vinyl, we get a straightforward, classic Pig Destroyer album, heavy and punishing as ever. On the second half, we get experimental and crushingly industrial.

“We had a few songs that would be the first half of an EP, and we decided to do something different with the other side,” says vocalist, sampler, and synth player Blake Harrison. “We changed it up to make it a little more Throbbing Gristle-inspired.”

They also joined forces with experimental, dark electronic musician Igorrr on this record, lending even more texture and heaviness to the mix.

However, for a band built on touring and live shows, this is a strange time to come out with new music.

“In general, not being able to go out on the road and play shows, not being able to practice and tour, I’m going stir-crazy,” Harrison admits.

“We’re trying to come up with new ways to promote stuff, and we did the fan video, which we got a ton of submissions for,” he continues. “I would like to think we’ll be able to get out at some point and play shows, but everything we had booked for this year just got moved to the same time next year. And, as far as livestreams go, I really don’t think it makes sense for us. I see us more as a live band, and I really don’t want to belittle what we have when we play live.”

Truly, anyone who has seen a live Pig Destroyer show knows that the band’s live energy can’t be matched. But, even if it’s only a taste of what we will one day have again with another full-length and live performances, the EP is still an awesome look at what’s to come, and a glimpse into new and experimental normal.

Stream The Octagonal Stairway now, and look forward to more announcements coming soon. �� �� ��