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    Back to The Lost ArchivesHeaven's Metal #25
    Heaven's Metal #25/One Bad Pig
    One Bad Pig — Swine Flew cover

    One Bad Pig

    Swine Flew

    Reviewed by Doug Van Pelt

    Listen on Apple Music
    Label Pure MetalHeaven's Metal #25May 1990
    thrashpunk metal

    One Bad Pig beat the "sophomore jinx" in a big and fast way! "See Me Sweat" comes screaming off at track one to tell everyone that this band can't be taken as a novelty act anymore. This album smokes! The creativity behind this effort surpassed all my expectations set by Smash, which was a great record in its own right. Mr. Smiley really puts a flame on the undersides of these pigs and lets 'em squeal with unrelenting passion and energy. The mix is fabulous - there is really good separation between each instrument. One thing that really stands out is the blazing drumming by Phillip Owens. The guest appearances by guitar giants Dann Huff and Phil Keaggy just make a great album greater. The Pig carves out an even larger identity of their own with this release - even though they take a competent stab at The Cult's sound on "Red River". As with previous Pig material, there's plenty of urgent cries for and from the heart of God; and plenty of dry, witty, and silly humor. "Bowl of Wrath" is a tongue-in-cheek sermon warning against taking the judgement of God lightly. There's a parody of Superman at the end of the title track. "Big Stomach" draws the comparison of the travail of a woman in labor with the travail of giving birth to a vision God's provided. The funny part is the Aunt Jemimah-style cry of "Miss Scarlet, Miss Scarlet, I don't know nothing about birthing no babies!" Extra unexpected Pig surprises are a rap by Tommy Sims in the rockin' "Desperation"; the smooch in "Judas' Kiss" (which is a jammin', thrashin' performance); and the cover of Larry Norman's "Christmastime". Every track on this 13-song album is a winner - even the ballad. What? A ballad on a Pig album? Yesiree! A haunting saga about the suffering of our Messiah. The album ends with a mini-sermon on the kingdom of God/righteousness, peace, & joy, as "We Want You" fades out. Definitely a must-have for any collector of serious rock and roll (We be even Willis).

    More from One Bad Pig

    One Bad Pig — Live: Blow the House DownOne Bad Pig — Live: Blow the House Down (Video)One Bad Pig — The Quintessential One Bad Pig, Vol. IOne Bad Pig — SmashOne Bad Pig — I Scream Sunday

    Also in Heaven's Metal #25

    Sacrament — Testimony of ApocalypseThe Warning — The Godcore TapesJeff Johnson — SimilitudesJeremy Morris — Vintage JamDeelspeed — The Best DeelVarious Artists — The Power TeamSeventh Angel — Heed the WarningCatalyst — ParadiseAfter Eleven — It's About TimeBarngrover/Light — Living on the Outside