Canadian hardcore band Pig Pen has dropped their first album, Mental Madness, on June 27th through Flatspot Records. The group, made up of Matty Matheson (vocals), Wade MacNeil (guitar), Daniel Romano (guitar), Ian Romano (drums), and Tommy Major (bass), delivers a raw and noisy sound that blends the energy of early hardcore with heavy rock.
Before the full album came out, Pig Pen caught attention with the fast and gritty single “Mental Mentality.” Now they’ve released “Rabid Beach,” another wild two-minute track full of loud guitars, raspy yelling, and pounding drums. The video for “Rabid Beach” is animated by artist Jesi Jordan and shows dark, shifting drawings that match the feeling of the song.
The album was written and recorded in just two days. The band members, all experienced musicians, took a hands-on approach by recording and producing everything themselves. They later sent the songs to mixer Arthur Rizk and mastering engineer Alan Douches to finalize the sound. The result is a set of ten rough and energetic songs that capture what makes hardcore music exciting: it’s loud, fast, and full of emotion.
The themes of Mental Madness focus on mental health. Singer Matty Matheson says the lyrics talk about things like feeling alone, being trapped in your own thoughts, and how hard it can be to feel okay, even when everything around you seems fine.
“You can be having a beautiful day, surrounded by friends,” Matheson says, “and your brain can still ruin it.”
Mental Madness isn’t just a loud album: it’s a personal one. It shows what it’s like to live with heavy thoughts while still trying to move forward. The music is intense but full of life, and the band’s message is honest and clear.
The album is available for preorder now through Flatspot Records. “Rabid Beach” is streaming online, and the video can be watched below.