After nearly a decade in the making, Cagayan de Oro’s own Queen Atia has finally unveiled their much-anticipated album, Die Screaming, You Pig Spawned Trollop! It was released on the 1st of February and is now available on all your favorite streaming platforms and on Bandcamp.
Die Screaming, You Pig Spawned Trollop! is a raucous, unapologetic collection of the band’s earliest material and newer songs, creating a sound that’s raw, gritty, and unmistakably Queen Atia. Vocalist Niqi Sioux describes it as “kinda political, kinda about girl power, and kinda about us as a band.” It’s this blend of themes that makes the album feel so urgent and relatable, like a rallying cry for anyone who’s ever felt out of place or fed up with the status quo.
The band—Niqi Sioux (vocals), Jojo Cabang (lead guitars), Jared Maestrado (guitar), Nikko Omana (guitar), Troy Abrogar (bass), and Cris Camba (drums)—have been through a lot to get this album out, with the pandemic making it a big challenge. “The actual release was the most challenging aspect because it kept being pushed back,” Niqi admits. Thankfully, after nine years of hard work, the album is finally here and it’s every bit as explosive as their fans would hope.
Drawing inspiration from the likes of The Distillers, Bikini Kill, Foo Fighters, and Turnstile, Die Screaming, You Pig Spawned Trollop! is a chaotic blend of grunge and post-hardcore that’s as cathartic as it is catchy. Tracks like ‘Can’t Stop! (Do It Again)’ and ‘Downcast Delight’ showcase the band’s ability to balance raw emotion with tight, powerful instrumentation, while the album’s title — taken from a quote from Queen Atia to Cleopatra — adds a layer of historical intrigue to their modern-day rebellion.
The album’s striking cover art was designed by drummer Camba and features an illustrated pig holding a burning newspaper—a bold visual that perfectly captures the album’s themes of defiance and disillusionment. Niqi describes it as “a pig watching all the ‘trollops’ screaming/suffering.” It’s dark, provocative, and exactly the kind of energy that Queen Atia bring to their music.
Despite the heavy themes, the band hasn’t lost their sense of humour. “We don’t really take ourselves too seriously,” Niqi says. “We have fun while we make music. We share ideas and most of the time we put those ideas to our sound.” That balance of fun and ferocity is what makes Die Screaming, You Pig Spawned Trollop! such a compelling listen.
Whether you’re a die-hard grunge fan, a post-hardcore enthusiast, or just someone who loves music with a bit of bite, this album has something for you. Make sure to check out Die Screaming, You Pig Spawned Trollop! Available now at your favorite streaming platforms and on Bandcamp. Let’s support local!
