Keven's Music Review: Wayne Static - Pighammer

You may be shocked to find out that Static-X frontman Wayne Static's solo debut sounds very familiar. In fact, you may go as far to say that this is just the next Static-X album but with 100% artistic control from the wild man who still rocks that gigantic hair.

'Pighammer' is a Static-X record with one minor difference and that's the fact that Static wanted something 100% his own. I'm a huge fan and I can barely tell the difference between the industrial metal of 'Pighammer' and every other Static-X effort. None of this is a criticism mind you, I'm always down for some Static and will be for the rest of my days. So let's get to it: 'Pighammer' is a theme album that revolves around a plastic surgeon who transforms hapless female victims by applying pig features to their bodies – eg. a pig nose and whatnot. The music reflects the psychotic nature of the concept very well, transcending you into a world of industrial speed metal with haunting undertones.

Wayne Static has crafted one of my favorite albums of 2011. I'm somewhat biased in that I'm a massive fan of Static-X already and 'Pighammer' is mostly more of the same. The metal is heavy and the industrial components are more 'computer-y' – if that makes any sense. I found that the combo of industrial and metal began to split apart near the end of 'Pighammer' and the songs began to lose a bit of steam as they slowed.

I was pleased to find myself headbanging to tracks like 'Chrome Nation' (my favorite of the album), 'Assassins of Youth, 'She', 'Around The Turn' and 'Static Killer' - The latter of which is yet more shameless incorporation of Static's porn star wife. Ever since the pokey haired metal singer married the constantly poked adult film actress, she's been in Static-X videos and sampled repeatedly in songs. The intro to 'Static Killer' is no doubt more of this and it's beginning to get annoying, but I also will admit it fits to the theme well. 'Pighammer' is laced with dark serial killing imagery and torture porn soundtrack tinges.

If you like Static-X, get 'Pighammer' immediately and blast it as loud as possible in your car, your home, your murder chamber if you moonlight as a serial killer – it doesn't matter. Wayne Static constantly surprises me by producing original and catchy as hell music year after year. I've been a die-hard fan of his since 1999 and I'm proud to say Static is still killing it by carrying the torch that Ministry let fizzle out years ago.

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01. Pighammer
02. Around The Turn
03. Assassins Of Youth
04. Thunder Invader
05. Static Killer
06. She
07. Get It Together
08. Chrome Nation
09. Shifter
10. Slave
11. The Creatures Are Everywhere
12. Behind The Sky

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Wayne Static's 'Pighammer' hits iTunes and stores everywhere October 4th.