<PIG>

Live at Union

Los Angeles, CA

July 14th, 2017

Review and photos by Travis Baumann

The Lord of Lard returns to preach to the perverted of Los Angeles on the "Prey and Obey" tour. After a decade and a half absence from performing live, <PIG>, aka Raymond Watts and company, put on an excellent spectacle last year, teaming up with long-time cronies Gunter Shueltz and En Esch back from their mutual KMFDM days.

Not only does the master song writer return, but he brings these German decedents in tow once more. This is not just a reprise of last year's set however, but an action packed cornucopia of songs ranging from throughout the illustrious discography of <PIG> with also a few of KMFDM's biggest hits with him at the helm to boot.

Mr. Watts and company arrived on the stage as the opening to "The Diamond Sinners" began. A fitting introduction to start off the lengthy night. Donned in a chrome jacket and sporting a commissar's cap, he dominated the stage in front of a man in the shadows on keyboards and the spry drummer. En Esch and Guenter stood on either side of the main man with their guitars in hand.

They played a massive set list containing brand new songs like "Prey & Obey" from their latest EP of same name. <PIG> also tapped this recent release for "Cult of Chaos", and "The Revelation". A favorite song from the latest full length, "The Gospel", was the sinisterly excellent, "Viva Evil".

They dabbled in "mid-era" <PIG> favorites including "Wrecked", "The Only Good One's a Dead One", and "Everything" which culminated in the awesome "Serial Killer Thriller" : "Oh Silence, I can hear you, swinging softly on the gentle rope".

The addition of the KMFDM alumni gave them the full sound with their "covers" of "Disobedience", "Flesh", the massive hit "Juke Joint Jezebel", and my favorite in the golden oldie, "Kickin' Ass".

To round out the true fan's dream set, they went way back to "The Swining" album for not only the predictable, "Find It Fuck It Forget It", but the crown jewel of the night came in the form of "Fountain of Miracles". This song debuted back in 1993 and has been a favorite of mine since. All in all, it was a great show.

It is always exciting to see a musician of his skill and talent play live but it is especially great to see him putting out albums again after nearly a decade of silence between "Pigmata" and him showing back up with collaborations with Primitive Race and then Marc Heal a few years ago which led into the last two releases.

Viva Evil! Viva <PIG>

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