Sky Pig - Hell Is Inside You

Sky Pig - Hell Is Inside You

Transylvanian Tapes - July 2020

Sludge, doom, psych

Rated: ****

I was hooked on Sacramento sludge trio Sky Pig's 2018 debut Three Way, and two years of hoping for more have paid off with their second EP Hell Is Inside You. The group have taken their sinister, psychedelic mixture of doom and sludge to another level across four tracks of crushing noise. Opener "Gimp" immediately lays waste to eardrums with its weighted low end and grinding guitar, doling out a trudging, impossibly heavy riff. Sky Pig's sound is massive, a dense wall of distortion and leaden tone that's almost industrial in its ruthless assault. The caustic shouted vocals and bashing, rock solid drums complete the picture, creating an ominous atmosphere that makes good on its threat. Following track "The Scag" is a standout, leading in with chilling spoken word and chugging, bottomless low end. The build-up of tense anticipation would be right at home in a horror movie, and is released by a monstrous churning riff. The second half of the EP leans further into the doom aspect of Sky Pig's sound, with "Save Yourself" bringing the low and slow with eerie, warped effects and cavernous singing that turns into an ear-splitting roar. Closing epic "The Strain" slows it down even more, drifting and pummeling over nine minutes of psychedelic and crushing nod. Hell Is Inside You is a powerful statement from a band who, with just two EPs, have made themselves a unique and menacing force to be reckoned with in the world of heavy. Take the dive and get lost in Sky Pig's dark, sludgy world.

(Written by Shasta Beast)

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