Pungent Stench
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1988 |
| Headquarters | Vienna , Austria |
| Products | Death metal music |
| Website | www |
Pungent Stench is an Austrian death metal group originating from Vienna, established in 1988. The current members are Martin Schirenc (vocals and guitar), Jacek Perkowski (bass), and Mike G. Mayhem (drums). They are recognized for their unique fusion of extreme metal with controversial lyrical themes that mix elements of gore, paraphilia, and dark humor, which helped them secure a notable position within the death metal community. The band initially disbanded in 1995, reunited in 1999, disbanded again in 2007 following the recording of a final studio album released in 2018, and reassembled in 2013 under the name "The Church of Pungent Stench," later changing to "Schirenc Plays Pungent Stench" in 2014.
Formative period (1987–1989)
Founded toward the end of 1987 by Martin Schirenc alongside Alex Wank, previously associated with Carnage, Pungent Stench completed their lineup with bassist Jacek Perkowski. By February 1988, the trio commenced rehearsals. Within a month, they had composed ten tracks and recorded their debut demo tape titled Mucous Secretion in April 1988. This rehearsal recording included five songs plus an introduction sampled from The Evil Dead. The demo garnered favorable responses within the tape trading circles.
In July 1988, they produced their second demo at Birdsong Studios located in Worcester, England. Notably, Wank had participated as a guest during the mixing sessions for Napalm Death’s From Enslavement to Obliteration. Although Pungent Stench intended to release this demo professionally with printed covers and mass-produced tapes, they secured a contract with Nuclear Blast before these plans could be executed.
Nuclear Blast era (1989–1994)
After performing close to Donzdorf, the hometown of Nuclear Blast, the label took interest and scouted the band. Pungent Stench signed with Nuclear Blast in April 1989 and released a split album alongside fellow Austrian death metal band Disharmonic Orchestra in June of that year; this release sold more than 4,000 copies within its first year. Following this, the Extreme Deformity 7-inch EP was launched in September to critical acclaim.
For God Your Soul... For Me Your Flesh
Their first full-length album, For God Your Soul... For Me Your Flesh, came out in April 1990 and showcased a raw and primitive style of death metal that prioritized straightforward song structures and an aggressive approach rather than intricate solos. The title track earned recognition by being included among the "100 Best Death Metal Songs" by German magazine Metal Hammer. By this time, Pungent Stench had toured with influential bands such as Carcass, Entombed, and Napalm Death. They embarked on their inaugural six-week European "Fleisch Tour," supporting headliner Master with Abomination as the opening act.
Musical style and influences
At their inception, Pungent Stench drew inspiration from early grindcore pioneers like Repulsion and Napalm Death, as well as death metal acts such as Master and Autopsy, alongside doom metal influences like Saint Vitus. By 1990, their musical palette had broadened to incorporate elements from hardcore punk bands (Sheer Terror, Agnostic Front), industrial groups (Swans, Laibach), black metal icons (Mayhem), alternative metal outfits (Faith No More), among others. Their sound also blends rock and blues components, which can be heard on tracks including "Viva la muerte" and "Family Man." Guitarist Schirenc’s preference for a Fender Telecaster further highlights these varied influences.
Lyrical content
Pungent Stench’s songwriting predominantly explores themes related to sexuality and paraphilias, including acrotomophilia, sadomasochism, and coprophagia, distinguishing them from the conventional gore-focused death metal bands. Their controversial album artwork, frequently utilizing the photography of Joel-Peter Witkin, further emphasizes their rebellious aesthetic. This fusion of death metal with grindcore elements is considered a significant influence on the emergence of the pornogrind genre.
Current line-up
- Martin Schirenc (El Cochino) – lead vocals, guitar (1988–1995, 1999–2007, 2013–present)
- Jacek Perkowski (Pitbull Jack) – bass guitar (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)
Discography
- For God Your Soul... For Me Your Flesh (Nuclear Blast, 1990)
- Been Caught Buttering (Nuclear Blast, 1991)
- Dirty Rhymes & Psychotronic Beats (MCD released via 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; originally recorded in 2007)
Video releases
- Video La Muerte (Nuclear Blast, VHS format, 1993) – features three official music videos alongside eight live recordings from Bremen
Bibliography
- Durren, B., & Bush, R. (1990). Pungent Stench. Rot Zine, 2:43-45.