Fucked Up - Year of the Pig (Vice)
3/5
By: Chris O'Toole
'Year of the Pig' is described as a prog-punk classic, and the classification, unique though it is, sums up the content precisely. This behemoth staggers on for close to 18-minutes with little or no respite - landing bludgeoning punches until the listener stops moving.
By way of an introduction a lurching, staggering beat on bass and drums wanders in, attached to an overtly attractive feminine vocal line - but this is just a precursor to the main course. See, Fucked Up is two bands are masquerading as one. The vocal contribution of guest singer of Toronto based Jennifer Castle is a sucker punch, luring the listener into a false sense of security before Damian Abrahams explodes into view, sharing his full frontal aural assault.
A diagnosed schizophrenic, Abrahams frequently assaults audience members and fights security guards at his own shows. Fucked Up is his band - a visceral punk oddity with little or nothing in the way of self restraint. Dashes of piano and guitar offer some light relief, but the bass line is relentless and the onslaught never ending. Abrahams screams into the microphone, using his, not unsubstantial, bulk to cram as much noise and anger into the microphone as possible.
At the seven minute mark the track expands again into a crescendo of drum savagery. It's got the power of the Stooges and the length of Godspeed! and sits somewhere in the middle of the two. Not to be messed with, Fucked Up is as strange as the come. Pure adrenaline filled punk with delusions of grandeur.
Artists in this article: Fucked Up
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