Pungent Stench is a

death metal Death metal is an extreme metal, extreme subgenre of heavy metal music. It typically employs heavily distorted and low-tuned guitars, played with techniques such as palm muting and tremolo picking; deep death growl, growling vocals; aggressive ...

band from

Vienna Vienna ( ; ; ) is the capital city, capital, List of largest cities in Austria, most populous city, and one of Federal states of Austria, nine federal states of Austria. It is Austria's primate city, with just over two million inhabitants. ...

Austria Austria, formally the Republic of Austria, is a landlocked country in Central Europe, lying in the Eastern Alps. It is a federation of nine Federal states of Austria, states, of which the capital Vienna is the List of largest cities in Aust ...

, formed in 1988. Their current lineup consists of Martin Schirenc (vocals/guitar), Jacek Perkowski (bass), and Mike G. Mayhem (drums). Pungent Stench achieved prominence in the death metal scene due to their unique style of

extreme metal Extreme metal is a loosely defined umbrella term for a number of related heavy metal music subgenres that have developed since the early 1980s. It has been defined as a "cluster of metal subgenres characterized by sonic, verbal, and visual tran ...

and controversial lyrics, a blend of gore,

paraphilia A paraphilia is an experience of recurring or intense sexual arousal to atypical objects, places, situations, fantasies, behaviors, or individuals. It has also been defined as a sexual interest in anything other than a legally consenting human ...

, and

black comedy Black comedy, also known as black humor, bleak comedy, dark comedy, dark humor, gallows humor or morbid humor, is a style of comedy that makes light of subject matter that is generally considered taboo, particularly subjects that are normally ...

. They dissolved in 1995, re-formed in 1999, then split up again 2007 after recording a final studio album, eventually released in 2018, and re-formed again in 2013 as “The Church Of Pungent Stench” and renamed themselves again as “Schirenc Plays Pungent Stench” in 2014”

History

Early years (1987-1989)

Pungent Stench began in late 1987 when Martin Schirenc and Alex Wank, drummer from Carnage, got together to form a new band. They recruited Jacek Perkowski for the bass player position after months of searching, and by February 1988 the trio started rehearsing together. Barely a month in existence the band had already composed 10 songs, and by April 1988 the band recorded their first

demo tape A demo (shortened from "demonstration") is a song or group of songs typically recorded for limited circulation or for reference use, rather than for general public release. A demo is a way for a musician to approximate their ideas in a fixed for ...

, ''Mucous Secretion''. Recorded live in their rehearsal room, ''Mucous Secretion'' featured 5 tracks plus an intro taken out of the first ''

The Evil Dead ''The Evil Dead'' is a 1981 American independent film, independent supernatural horror film written and directed by Sam Raimi (in his feature directorial debut). The film stars Bruce Campbell, Ellen Sandweiss, Richard DeManincor, Betsy Baker ...

'' movie. The tape got very positive reactions from the tapetrading community. In July 1988, the band travelled to England to record their second demo. Wank was present as a guest during the mixing of

Napalm Death Napalm Death are an English grindcore band formed in Meriden, West Midlands, in 1981. None of the band's original members have been in the group since 1986, but since ''Utopia Banished'' (1992), the lineup of bassist Shane Embury, guitarist Mi ...

's sophomore album, '' From Enslavement to Obliteration'', at the Birdsong Studios in

Worcester Worcester may refer to: Places United Kingdom * Worcester, England, a city and the county town of Worcestershire in England ** Worcester (UK Parliament constituency), an area represented by a Member of Parliament * Worcester Park, London, Engl ...

. After that he booked 2 days for Pungent Stench in the same studio. The band had plans to release this demo in a professional manner, with a printed cover and manufactured tapes, but before the manufacturing process began Pungent Stench got an offer by

Nuclear Blast Nuclear Blast Records is a German record label with subsidiary, subsidiaries located in Germany, the United States and Brazil. It was founded in 1987 by Markus Staiger in Donzdorf. Originally releasing hardcore punk records, the label moved on ...

Nuclear Blast (1989-1994)

Pungent Stench happened to play close by Nuclear Blast's hometown,Durren & Bush (1990), page 43. Donzdorf. The label's staff had already heard about the band and sent someone to watch their show and express the record company's interest in the group. Pungent Stench signed the contract in April 1989 and their first release for Nuclear Blast, a

split album A split album (or split) is a music album that includes tracks by two or more separate artists. There are also singles and EPs of the same variety, which are often called "split singles" and "split EPs" respectively. Split albums differ from "v ...

with fellow Austrian death metallers Disharmonic Orchestra, came out in June. The record was reasonably successful, moving more than 4,000 units in less than a year.Durren & Bush (1990), page 44. The ''Extreme Deformity'' 7-inch vinyl EP, featuring three tracks from their unreleased demo, came out in September to rave reviews.

''For God Your Soul... For Me Your Flesh''

Pungent Stench's debut '' For God Your Soul... For Me Your Flesh'' was released in April 1990. Described as raw and primitive, it shows the band favoring simple song structures and visceral, demented aggression over technical proficiency and over-complicated soloing. The album's title track made it to the "100 Best Death Metal Songs" list compiled by the German version of ''

Metal Hammer ''Metal Hammer'' is a heavy metal music magazine and website founded in 1983, published in the United Kingdom by Future, with other language editions published by different companies available in numerous other countries. ''Metal Hammer'' featu ...

''. Around the time their first record came out, Pungent Stench were already an experienced live band, having played with

Carcass Carcass or Carcase (both pronounced ) may refer to: * Dressed carcass, the body of a livestock animal ready for butchery, after removal of skin, visceral organs, head, feet etc. *Carrion, the decaying dead body of an animal or human being, also c ...

, Entombed,

Extreme Noise Terror Extreme Noise Terror (often abbreviated to ENT) are a British extreme metal band formed in Ipswich, England in 1985 and one of the earliest and most influential crust bands. Noted for one of the earliest uses of dual vocalists in hardcore,Bonn ...

, Atrocity and Prong, among others. By the end of the year they organized their first, six-week European tour (named the "Fleisch Tour"), with

Master Master, master's or masters may refer to: Ranks or titles In education: *Master (college), head of a college *Master's degree, a postgraduate or sometimes undergraduate degree in the specified discipline *Schoolmaster or master, presiding office ...

headlining and Paul Speckmann's

thrash metal Thrash metal (or simply thrash) is an Extreme metal, extreme subgenre of heavy metal music characterized by its overall aggression and fast tempo.Kahn-Harris, Keith, ''Extreme Metal: Music and Culture on the Edge'', pp. 2–3, 9. Oxford: Berg, ...

side project Abomination as the opening act.

Musical style and influences

Pungent Stench were initially inspired by early

grindcore Grindcore is an extreme metal, extreme fusion genre of heavy metal music, heavy metal and hardcore punk that originated in the mid-1980s, drawing inspiration from abrasive-sounding musical styles, such as thrashcore, crust punk, hardcore punk, e ...

( Repulsion,

, Terrorizer), death metal (

Autopsy An autopsy (also referred to as post-mortem examination, obduction, necropsy, or autopsia cadaverum) is a surgical procedure that consists of a thorough examination of a corpse by dissection to determine the cause, mode, and manner of deat ...

, Slaughter,

Deceased Death is the end of life; the Irreversible process, irreversible cessation of all biological process, biological functions that sustain a living organism. Death eventually and inevitably occurs in all organisms. The remains of a former o ...

) and

doom metal Doom metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music that typically uses slower tempos, low-tuned guitars and a much "thicker" or "heavier" sound than other heavy metal genres.K. Kahn-Harris, ''Extreme Metal: Music and Culture on the Edge'' ...

bands such as

Saint Vitus Vitus (), whose name is sometimes rendered Guy or Guido, was a Christian martyr from Sicily. His surviving hagiography is pure legend. The dates of his actual life are unknown.Basil Watkins, ''The Book of Saints: A Comprehensive Biographical ...

and Witchfinder General. By the time of ''For God Your Soul... For Me Your Fleshs release their listening habits widened considerably. In an interview to

Michigan Michigan ( ) is a peninsular U.S. state, state in the Great Lakes region, Great Lakes region of the Upper Midwest, Upper Midwestern United States. It shares water and land boundaries with Minnesota to the northwest, Wisconsin to the west, ...

-based

fanzine A fanzine (blend word, blend of ''fan (person), fan'' and ''magazine'' or ''zine'') is a non-professional and non-official publication produced by enthusiasts of a particular cultural phenomenon (such as a literary or musical genre) for the pleas ...

''Rot'', drummer Alex Wank declared that he was currently into

hardcore punk Hardcore punk (commonly abbreviated to hardcore or hXc) is a punk rock music genre#subtypes, subgenre and subculture that originated in the late 1970s. It is generally faster, harder, and more aggressive than other forms of punk rock. Its roots ...

( Sheer Terror,

Agnostic Front Agnostic Front is an American hardcore punk band from New York City. Founded in 1980, the band is considered an important influence on the New York hardcore scene, as well as a pioneer of the crossover thrash genre. History First era (1980– ...

), industrial music ( Swans, Laibach, Coil,

Foetus A fetus or foetus (; : fetuses, foetuses, rarely feti or foeti) is the unborn offspring of a viviparous animal that develops from an embryo. Following the embryonic stage, the fetal stage of development takes place. Prenatal development is a ...

black metal Black metal is an extreme metal, extreme subgenre of heavy metal music. Common traits include Tempo#Beats per minute, fast tempos, a Screaming (music)#Black metal, shrieking vocal style, heavily distorted Electric guitar, guitars played with tr ...

( Mayhem,

Darkthrone Darkthrone is a Norwegian black metal band hailing from Kolbotn, Akershus. Formed in 1986 as a death metal band named Black Death, in 1991, Darkthrone transitioned to a black metal style influenced by Bathory (band), Bathory and Celtic Frost and ...

, Beherit),

alternative metal Alternative metal (also known as alt-metal) is a genre of heavy metal music that combines heavy metal with influences from alternative rock and other genres not normally associated with metal. Alternative metal bands are often characterized by ...

pioneers

Faith No More Faith No More is an American Rock music, rock band from San Francisco, California, formed in 1979. Before September 1983, the band performed under the names Sharp Young Men and later Faith No Man. Bassist Billy Gould, keyboardist/rhythm guitarist ...

and "rape rock" group

The Mentors The Mentors are an American heavy metal band, known for their deliberate shock rock lyrics. Originally formed in Seattle, Washington in May 1976, they relocated to Los Angeles, California in 1979. The band garnered attention both from noted h ...

. Though Pungent Stench is a death metal band, its musical style has also been influenced by

rock Rock most often refers to: * Rock (geology), a naturally occurring solid aggregate of minerals or mineraloids * Rock music, a genre of popular music Rock or Rocks may also refer to: Places United Kingdom * Rock, Caerphilly, a location in Wale ...

and

blues Blues is a music genre and musical form that originated among African Americans in the Deep South of the United States around the 1860s. Blues has incorporated spiritual (music), spirituals, work songs, field hollers, Ring shout, shouts, cha ...

. Such non-metal influences can be heard on songs such as "Viva la muerte", "Madcatmachopsychoromantik", "Family Man" and "Got MILF?". Schirenc's choice of guitar (he often plays a

Fender Telecaster The Fender Telecaster, colloquially known as the Tele (), is an electric guitar produced by Fender (company), Fender. Together with its sister model the Fender Esquire, Esquire, it was the world's first mass-produced, commercially successfulLes ...

, a rarity among metal guitarists) probably signals these influences.

Lyrical content

The lyrical content of the songs is more sexually and paraphilia orientated and tends to contrast the more horror and gore influenced themes of other death metal bands; themes covered include

acrotomophilia Acrotomophilia (from the Greek "having the top cut off"; from ' "extremity" and - from ' "I cut" and ' "love") is a paraphilia in which an individual expresses strong sexual interest in amputees. It is a counterpart to apotemnophilia, the d ...

sadomasochism Sadism () and masochism (), known collectively as sadomasochism ( ) or S&M, is the derivation of pleasure from acts of respectively inflicting or receiving pain or humiliation. The term is named after the Marquis de Sade, a French author known ...

coprophagia Coprophagia ( ) or coprophagy ( ) is the consumption of feces. The word is derived from the Ancient Greek "feces" and "to eat". Coprophagy refers to many kinds of feces-eating, including eating feces of other species (heterospecifics), of o ...

rape Rape is a type of sexual assault involving sexual intercourse, or other forms of sexual penetration, carried out against a person without consent. The act may be carried out by physical force, coercion, abuse of authority, or against a person ...

, and deviance, which at times can be seen as off-putting to fans of death metal.https://www.voicesfromthedarkside.de/interview/pungent-stench/ The album covers reflect this as well: many of their album covers are transgressive and sometimes shocking photos by

Joel-Peter Witkin Joel-Peter Witkin (born September 13, 1939) is an American photographer who lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico. His work often deals with themes such as death, corpses (and sometimes dismembered portions thereof), often featuring ornately decorated ...

. This, combining the musical styles of death metal and grindcore, may have influenced the sexually-oriented themes of

pornogrind Pornogrind (also known as porngrind or pornogore) is a musical microgenre offshoot of goregrind that lyrically deals with sexual and pornographic themes, hence the name. Characteristics The genre is related and similar to goregrind but does be ...

, a subgenre of grindcore.

Members

Current line-up

* Martin Schirenc (also known as El Cochino) – guitars, lead vocals (1988–1995, 1999–2007, 2013–present) * Jacek Perkowski (also known as Pitbull Jack) – bass (1988–1995, 2023–present) * Mike G. Mayhem – drums (2013–present)

Former members

* Fabio Testi – bass (2004) * Danny Vacuum – bass, backing vocals (2013–2023) * Reverend Mausna – bass (1999–2004) * El Gore – bass (2004–2007) * Alex Wank – drums (1988–1995, 1999–2007)

Timeline

Discography

*'' For God Your Soul... For Me Your Flesh'' (Nuclear Blast, 1990) *'' Been Caught Buttering'' (Nuclear Blast, 1991) *'' Dirty Rhymes & Psychotronic Beats'' (MCD under Nuclear Blast, 1993) *'' Club Mondo Bizarre – For Members Only'' (Nuclear Blast, 1994) *'' Praise the Names of the Musical Assassins'' (compilation under Nuclear Blast, 1997) *'' Masters of Moral, Servants of Sin'' (Nuclear Blast, 2001) *'' Ampeauty'' (2004) *''Smut Kingdom'' (2018, recorded in 2007)

Video releases

*''Video La Muerte'' (Nuclear Blast, VHS release, 1993) – features three music videos and eight tracks recorded live in Bremen, Germany

References

Bibliography

* Durren, B., & Bush, R. (1990). Pungent Stench. ''Rot Zine, 2'': 43-45.

External links

Official websiteTotem Records
{{Authority control 1988 establishments in Austria Austrian death metal musical groups Austrian heavy metal musical groups Deathgrind musical groups Austrian musical trios Musical groups established in 1988 Musical groups disestablished in 2007 Nuclear Blast artists