Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Aug 3, 2026

Head Cage

Head Cage is the sixth studio album by American grindcore band Pig Destroyer. The album was released on September 7, 2018, through Relapse Records. The album features vocal cameos from Richard Johnson and Kat Katz from Agoraphobic Nosebleed, along with Dylan Walker from Full of Hell.

Last revised
Aug 3, 2026
Read time
≈ 3 min
Length
622 w
Citations
20
Source
Wikipedia ↗
Head Cage
Studio album by
Pig Destroyer
ReleasedSeptember 7, 2018 (2018-09-07)
RecordedDecember 2017 – February 2018
StudiosVisceral Sound Studios (Bethesda, Maryland, United States)
GenresMetalcore,1 grindcore2
Length30:55
LabelRelapse
ProducerScott Hull
Pig Destroyer chronology
Mass & Volume
(2013) 		Head Cage
(2018) 		the octagonal stairway
(2020)
Singles from Head Cage
  1. "Army of Cops"
    Released: July 10, 2018 (2018-07-10)3
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic79/1004
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusicStarStarStarHalf star5
Consequence of Sound7.5/106
Exclaim!9/107
MetalSucksStarStarStarStarStar8
Pitchfork8.1/109
Sputnikmusic8/1010
Metal Storm8.0/1011

Head Cage is the sixth studio album by American grindcore band Pig Destroyer. The album was released on September 7, 2018, through Relapse Records.12 The album features vocal cameos from Richard Johnson and Kat Katz from Agoraphobic Nosebleed, along with Dylan Walker from Full of Hell.3

The band commented in an official description of Head Cage:

"Across twelve tracks, Pig Destroyer weave together harrowing tales of philosophical dualities, touching on mortality and depression, fear and violence, and the darkest complexities of the human condition, all told through the distorted lens of delightfully transgressive vocalist/lyricist JR Hayes."3

Background

It is the band's only album with bassist John Jarvis in their line-up, and the last to feature Blake Harrison, who would leave in 2022 and die in 2024. MetalSucks called the album an "immediate frontrunner for the best metal album of 2018."13 The band released a teaser for the album on June 27, 2018.1415

Reception

Accolades

Publication Accolade Rank Ref.
Decibel Decibel's Top 40 Albums of 2018
10
16

Track listing

All lyrics are written by J. R. Hayes; all music is composed by Scott Hull.

No.TitleLength
1."Tunnel Under the Tracks"1:21
2."Dark Train"1:11
3."Army of Cops"3:18
4."Circle River"2:45
5."The Torture Fields"2:55
6."Terminal Itch"1:13
7."Concrete Beast"3:21
8."The Adventures of Jason and JR"2:12
9."Mt. Skull"1:37
10."Trap Door Man"1:15
11."The Last Song"2:40
12."House of Snakes"7:07
Total length:30:55

Personnel

Pig Destroyer

  • J. R. Hayes – lead vocals
  • Scott Hull – guitars
  • John Jarvis – bass, gang vocals
  • Blake Harrison – noise, samples, gang vocals
  • Adam Jarvis – drums, gang vocals

Additional musicians

  • Richard Johnson − guest vocals (track 3), gang vocals
  • Kat Katz − guest vocals (tracks 6, 7)
  • Jason Hodges − guest vocals (track 8)
  • Dylan Walker − noise (track 11)
  • Aaron "Baron" Kirkpatrick − gang vocals

Production

Charts

Chart (2018) Peak
position
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)17 146
Scottish Albums (Official Charts)18 100
References

References

  1. "Pig Destroyer : Head Cage". September 11, 2018.
  2. "PIG DESTROYER: 'Army Of Cops' Video Released; 'Head Cage' Album Due In September". July 10, 2018.
  3. "Pig Destroyer Announce 'Head Cage' Album + Unleash New Song". Loudwire. July 10, 2018.
  4. "Reviews for Head Cage by Pig Destroyer". Metacritic. Retrieved September 12, 2018.
  5. Thomas, Fred. "Head Cage - Pig Destroyer". AllMusic. Retrieved September 12, 2018.
  6. Hickman, Langdon (September 11, 2018). "Pig Destroyer - Head Cage". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved September 12, 2018.
  7. Falzon, Denise (September 7, 2018). "Pig Destroyer Head Cage". Exclaim!. Retrieved September 12, 2018.
  8. Rosenburg, Axl (September 7, 2018). "Album Review: Pig Destroyer's Head Cage Will Free Your Mind". MetalSucks. Retrieved September 12, 2018.
  9. Currin, Grayson (September 10, 2018). "Pig Destroyer: Head Cage Album Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved September 12, 2018.
  10. Freeman, Channing (September 7, 2018). "Review: Pig Destroyer - Head Cage". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved September 12, 2018.
  11. "Review: Pig Destroyer - Head Cage". Metal Storm. October 8, 2018. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
  12. "Pig Destroyer Confirm "Head Cage" Album for September Release - Decibel Magazine". May 14, 2018.
  13. "Pig Destroyer Announce New Album, Head Cage - MetalSucks". May 14, 2018.
  14. "Pig Destroyer Releases Album Teaser for Head Cage - MetalSucks". June 27, 2018.
  15. "PIG DESTROYER Tease New Album, Head Cage". June 27, 2018.
  16. Mudrian, Albert (November 15, 2018). "SPOILER: Here Are Decibel's Top 40 Albums of 2018". Decibel. Retrieved November 18, 2018.
  17. "Ultratop.be – Pig Destroyer – Head Cage" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved September 15, 2018.
  18. "Official Scottish Albums Chart on 14/9/2018 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 15, 2018.