Back in 1996 industrial music was riding high on the momentum built by bands like Nine Inch Nails, whose The Downward Spiral had broken into the mainstream in 1994. The genre’s dark, mechanical sounds were everywhere. So when Raymond Watts, under his solo project Pig, released Sinsation, it hit a music scene ready for more of that aggressive, grinding sound that only the mid-‘90s could deliver. Released on Trent Reznor’s Nothing Records, Sinsation was everything you’d expect from an industrial album at the time—heavy, ominous, but also cinematic, with textures that made it feel like the soundtrack to a dystopian future.
Japan First: The 1995 Release and the U.S. Catch-up
The album wasn’t new to industrial enthusiasts. It had actually debuted in Japan in 1995, but it wasn’t until 1996 that U.S. audiences got their hands on it. Fans who had been jamming to The Downward Spiral or Ministry’s Psalm 69 were in for a treat, as Sinsation brought a new layer of twisted soundscapes, with elements of symphonic chaos alongside pounding industrial beats. By ‘96, the world was still adjusting to the booming electronic sounds of the era, and Pig’s record added another slice of madness to the mix.
The Mind Behind Pig: Raymond Watts’ Industrial Mastery
Pig is the brainchild of Raymond Watts, a veteran of the industrial scene and an early member of KMFDM, another staple in the genre. Watts’ experience with KMFDM shaped his approach to music, especially when it came to merging mechanical aggression with melodic structures, something that Sinsation does with striking efficiency.
The album takes on a dynamic range of moods. Tracks like “Serial Killer Thriller” set the tone with eerie violins that suddenly explode into industrial noise, like the chaos of a cyberpunk cityscape come to life. If you’re a fan of dystopian futures, you’d find yourself right at home in the world Pig creates. “Hamstrung on the Highway” doubles down on the relentless grind, with heavy guitar riffs that scream of a battle for survival in some post-apocalyptic wasteland.
But Sinsation isn’t all brute force. The album has its subtleties too, using orchestral elements and atmospheric samples that give it an almost cinematic feel. It’s like Watts was scoring a film that never existed—a vision of a world dominated by machines, where human emotion is still trying to fight through the mechanical onslaught. This dynamic keeps the record from becoming too monotonous. Songs like “The Sick” shift the tempo, slowing things down and offering a groove that’s more hypnotic than pounding, giving listeners a bit of a reprieve before plunging them back into the chaos.
Industrial music, at its worst, can sometimes be a repetitive slog, but Sinsation keeps listeners on their toes. The album moves through various tempos and soundscapes, offering moments of atmospheric beauty before diving back into grinding grooves that wouldn’t feel out of place in a futuristic action movie. Watts deftly avoids the genre’s pitfalls by injecting moments of melody and subtlety where others might rely solely on harshness and repetition.
Ahead of Its Time
Even if you’re not an industrial die-hard, the album’s cinematic qualities and rhythmic diversity make it an interesting listen. And like many of Pig’s albums, Sinsation feels ahead of its time, blending genres in ways that still sound fresh today. Watts was clearly working within the industrial genre but wasn’t afraid to push the boundaries with unexpected elements like orchestral samples and unconventional song structures.
Ultimately, Sinsation might not have reached the same commercial heights as Nine Inch Nails, but it’s an album that resonated with those willing to dive into its chaotic, symphonic world. If you’re nostalgic for that mid-’90s industrial sound or curious to hear something that blends orchestral elements with grinding industrial beats, it’s definitely worth a listen.
Songs in this Episode
Intro - Hamstrung on the Highway
16:01 - The Sick
22:04 - Serial Killer Thriller
30:31 - Transceration
35:48 - Hot Hole
Outro - Paniac
Make Your Voice Heard!
In our quest to explore the depths of 90s Rock, we rely on you, our listeners. Your suggestions drive our show – be it an underrated classic or a forgotten gem. By joining our DMO Union on Patreon, you help us stay independent and ad-free and gain the power to vote on and choose the albums we dive into each year. Together, let's unearth the treasures of 90s Rock, one listener-powered episode at a time.
Pig - Sinsation | 90s Rock Revisited