“Pigs of the Roman Empire” is a collaboration between the sludge metal band Melvins and the dark ambient producer Lustmord. The album pairs the Melvins’ slow, heavy riffing with Lustmord’s layered noise and atmosphere. It is not a fusion album in the usual sense; it is two distinct approaches held together by shared low frequencies and a slow tempo.
The record runs 59 minutes across nine tracks. The longest piece, “Pigs of the Roman Empire,” takes up nearly half the running time at 22:30. That track is the centerpiece, and the album builds around it. The shorter songs fill out the sides without ever matching its ambition.
Track by Track
“III” opens the record with a quiet, almost skeletal build. The song sets the tone before the heavier material arrives. It is a brief introduction rather than a statement, but it works.
“The Bloated Pope” follows with a heavier, more aggressive approach. It is the loudest moment on the record so far, and it earns its place as a strong opening. The song moves quickly and stays focused.
“Toadi Acceleratio” slows things down again. It is a mid-tempo groove that leans on repetition rather than dynamics. It is not a standout, but it holds the middle of the album together.
“Pigs of the Roman Empire” is the longest track and the one the record is named after. It is a slow, dense wall of sound that shifts between sections of pure noise and structured riffing. It is the clearest example of the two artists working together.
“Pink Bat” is a shorter, more angular track. It is built on a repeating guitar line and a driving rhythm. It stands as one of the more immediate songs on the record.
“ZZZZ Best” is the shortest track at 1:59. It is a fragment rather than a full song, and it functions as a palate cleanser between the longer pieces. It does not overstay its welcome.
“Safety Third” is another long track, at 6:11. It is a slower, more atmospheric piece that relies on Lustmord’s textures rather than the Melvins’ heaviness. It shows Lustmord’s influence most clearly.
“Idolatrous Apostate” closes the main sequence. It is a slow, doom-laden track that builds to a climax. It matches the weight of the title.
The final track, “untitled,” is a closer that brings the record to a quiet end. It is a fitting way to close the album, even if it is not the strongest track on it.
What Works
The album’s strengths come from the tension between the two artists. The Melvins bring a physical, aggressive energy. Lustmord brings texture and atmosphere. When those two forces meet, the result is something genuinely new.
“Pigs of the Roman Empire” is the best example of that meeting. The track builds slowly, layering noise and guitar into a single, massive wall of sound. It is a track that rewards repeated listens.
“Safety Third” and “Idolatrous Apostate” are the other strong points. They show Lustmord’s influence without losing the band’s identity. The former is atmospheric and patient. The latter is slow and heavy.
Where It Falls Short
Not every track holds up. “Toadi Acceleratio” and “ZZZZ Best” are the weaker moments. They are competent but forgettable, filler that pads the running time without adding much.
The album’s length is also a problem. Twenty-two minutes is a long time for a single track, and the record could lose some of its impact if the pacing were tighter.
| Track | Length | Role |
|---|---|---|
| “III” | 3:00 | Introduction |
| “The Bloated Pope” | 3:45 | Heavy opener |
| “Toadi Acceleratio” | 3:26 | Mid-tempo filler |
| “Pigs of the Roman Empire” | 22:30 | Centerpiece |
| “Pink Bat” | 6:33 | Immediate highlight |
| “ZZZZ Best” | 1:59 | Fragment |
| “Safety Third” | 6:11 | Atmosphere |
| “Idolatrous Apostate” | 6:47 | Slow climax |
| “untitled” | 5:48 | Closer |
Final Word
“Pigs of the Roman Empire” is a bold, ambitious record. It takes risks that few collaborations attempt, and it mostly pays off. The best tracks — “Pigs of the Roman Empire,” “Pink Bat,” “Safety Third,” and “Idolatrous Apostate” — are genuinely excellent. The weaker tracks are merely competent.
The album is a worthy addition to both the Melvins’ catalog and Lustmord’s discography. It is a record that rewards attention and patience. It is not perfect, but it is essential listening for fans of heavy music who want something outside the usual boundaries.
- III3:00
- The Bloated Pope3:45
- Toadi Acceleratio3:26
- Pigs of the Roman Empire22:30
- Pink Bat6:33
- ZZZZ Best1:59
- Safety Third6:11
- Idolatrous Apostate6:47
- [untitled]5:48
