The band was formed by vocalist J.R. Hayes, guitarist Scott Hull and drummer John Evans.

Pig Destroyer is one of the most well-known grindcore bands due to Hayes' poetic lyrics;[2] Hull's incorporation of thrash, punk, and doom influences in songwriting; and technical drum work.

Derived from a non-musical source as extreme as the band's sound, Pig Destroyer's easily identifiable logo was created using a graphic from ANSWER Me!

2004's Terrifyer boasted a much clearer sound than Prowler in the Yard or 38 Counts of Battery, as well as lyrics and prose from Hayes.

[5] Pig Destroyer headlined the Terrorizer stage at the Damnation Festival in Leeds in November 2012, which marked their first United Kingdom show in eight years.

[11] At least seven official promotional videos have been made of Pig Destroyer songs: "Piss Angel", from Prowler in the Yard; "Gravedancer", from Terrifyer; "Loathsome", from Phantom Limb; "The Diplomat", from Book Burner; "Army of Cops", "The Torture Fields", and "Mt.

[15][16] In early 2019 John Jarvis was dismissed from the band and replaced with Lody Kong guitarist Travis Stone.

On March 10, 2024, Harrison died from sudden pneumonia and heart attack due to complications of his battle with melanoma.

Scott Hull has mentioned artist Matthew Barney, author Dennis Cooper, and noise musicians Whitehouse as influencing his music.