Dirty Rhymes and Psychotronic Beats

This nifty little piece of plastic reminds me a bit of a young dog that is trying to impress you by showing all the tricks it can do one after another. Pungent Stench present themselves in a broad variety of different ways here, showing just what they are capable of and what they are willing to do to us. Two new songs, two covers, two weird electronic experiments and one complete waste of time, and in addition to what most pressings of this CD/LP have, you may have another bonus track, either "Daddy Cruel" if you happen to be from Australia, or "Madcatmachopsychoromantik" if you got the 2001 reissue. Those two of course aren't of any consequence, but in case you're interested in them, both appear on the "Praise the Names of the Musical Assassins" compilation which I also reviewed.

First things first, you are probably wondering what I meant by the "complete waste of time". Well, it's the "rare groove mix" of "Blood, Pus and Gastric Juice". A great track by its own right, its inclusion here is absolutely ridiculous. They are calling it a "rare" version, yet the 1993 version of this song which appears here on this release is the same which was used for the 1993 reissue of "For God Your Soul..." and is by far the most widely available version of this song, so far from "rare", this is the exact same version of this song at least 80% (I'd wager) of you already have on their debut album. What a retarded idea, with this CD and the debut album reissue coming out in the same year, what's the fucking point of calling this "rare" when it's a song you just re-recorded for the reissue of your debut album that everyone who doesn't have your debut in his/her collection yet will hear and be used to henceforth? That's a fucking retarded idea if you ask me. Let's just give the band the benefit of the doubt and blame Nuclear Blast, points will be deducted from this release's rating for this anyway. Weirds me out, so moronic...

Luckily the rest of this record is definitely worth your while, to say the least. The intro may feel like a throwaway track to some, with its murky electronic beeping and blipping and its distant, robotic narration, but to me it's a great idea executed well, building up a nice sadomaso-horror atmosphere that reminds me of the somewhat mediocre but nonetheless entertaining Nicholas Cage film "8mm", especially the exploration of the underground BDSM scene and the character of Dino Velvet and his twisted world he has created around himself. A perfect introduction for Pungent Stench and a clear winner in my book. The two new songs are grooving and hard rocking, somewhere along the lines of the subsequent "Club Mondo Bizarre" album in style, but far superior in execution. Especially "Viva La Muerte" satisfies and impresses with its laid-back charme, creating a certain twisted 70s-porno-gone-awry vibe that kind of makes you think you're listening to the soundtrack of a twisted bondage/sadomaso sequel to Boogie Nights, with a gimp strapping up Heather Graham, Julianne Moore bound and gagged whipped by Dirk Diggler with his gigantic... You know, that's the kind of feel the song has to it. "Horny Little Piggy Bank" is far more straight-forward, more in the traditional Pungent Stench sort of style, again very groovy and mid-paced, but apparently played with great pleasure, and in turn being a great pleasure to listen to. It simply feels good as a Pungent Stench song, you don't miss the frantic blasting parts of their earlier releases one bit like you do on "Club Mondo Bizarre" because it simply has the quality riffing to back up its slower pace.

The two covers are ingenious. Them being released alone as a seven inch EP would be a certain one hundred percent rating. They're both hilarious and headbangable, absolutely sick, funny and heavy."Why Can the Bodies Fly?" is a damned insane death'n'roll take on a super-fruity EBM song originating from a soundtrack to Germany's long (and by long I mean nearly forever) running crime series "Tatort". I do not know the episode in question, so I do not know anything about the context, all I do know is that this is an extremely corny song. I've heard the original, so at least I know the cover is almost 1:1, the only changes Pungent Stench made are in the vocal department (but not by as much as one would think) and of course with the addition of guitars. The song is centered around an addictive "uuh uuh uuh"-hookline done by high-pitched female voices, it sort of makes me picture Japanese girls for some reason. Like something you'd see on Japanese TV. Really, really fruity. It's just irresistable, even though of course you have to be in the mood for it. Listen to this when you're in a bad mood and you'll probably smash your speakers. Be in a good, fun-loving mood and you're gonna love just how over-the-top this is. The other cover on here in a Mentors song, covered in collaboration with Stefan Weber of Drahdiwaberl (providing vocals), a band Pungent Stench collaborated with before on the aforementioned "Madcatmachopsychoromantik" track. Covering the Mentors is of course a perfect match for Pungent Stench, and the cover does actually sound as if it was an original because it fits in here so damn well. It's a great hardrocker to drink and shout along to, endearing itself with its beautifully misogynistic lyrical content, reaching nearly anthemic qualities. Personally I have never seen Pungent Stench live, but I do hope this song was a staple, because it would be a waste not to play it.

Finally there is that techno mix of "Blood, Pus and Gastric Juice", a controversial subject matter it appears. I can sort of see where people who dislike this are coming from, being as how I myself took some time warming up to it with its odd, out of place seeming style. There is of course no death metal to be found here, or metal at all, it's purely some dancy type of electronics (I'd rather call it EBM than "Tekkno.House" as it's quite dark and morbid), but done in a Pungent Stench way, with a menacing feel and sick, distorted vocals. It may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I say give it a chance because once you come to accept this as an integral part of this release and move yourself to leaving it on instead of skipping to something else, it might be that you - like me - will become quite endeared to this. It's a unique take on the morbid insanity that the monster of Pungent Stench is, and it works in creating a whole different way of viewing their subject matter, an example of what the band would sound like had they grown up with EBM and other dark electronics rather than extreme metal and groovy rock'n'roll.

In conclusion I can only recommend this, and were it not for the completely useless inclusion of the "For God Your Soul..."-reissue-version of "Blood, Pus and Gastric Juice" I'd give it 95% for being near perfect and on par with the much different but equally great "Been Caught Buttering". It's a release every Pungent Stench fan should call his or her own, if only to realize just how strange this band can get.

If one were to take Pungent Stench at face value, they would have to assume that either a severe psychotic disorder has taken full control or that they have Attention Deficit Disorder, wanting to be in all places at once.

I should start with the elephant in the living room: the cover and the artwork. In the U.S., at least, it is censored until you open up the booklet. And while it’s borderline pornography with some sadomasochism thrown in for good measure, the woman in question is obese… and I’m being kind here. So if you’re thinking of purchasing this for the artwork alone, don’t. That is, unless you get off on that sort of thing: who are your fellow metalheads to judge you?

The artwork does succeed on one level (the level I believe it was supposed to be used for, in my opinion): this EP is one ugly, heavy and sadistic fucker, ranging all over the place.

I know that track by track reviews are generally frowned upon, but with seven tracks and almost all taking a completely different approach, it’s going to be necessary here.

The album kicks off with “Praise the Names of the Musical Assassins”, which is generally what is supposed to be a spoken word intro with ambient background noise, where Martin is nearly rapping at certain points. This may throw people off, but it’s done in such a way (and for a short time) that it’s amusing at best and worthy of skipping at worst.

The true meat and potatoes of the recording starts with the second track, “Viva La Muerte”, and it’s a dirty little affair – an ode to death. Oddly enough, Viva La Muerte is what one could almost call death rock with metal influences and a touch of psychedelic flourish which sounds better in practice than I could ever describe in text. It’s not fast, it’s not slow – it’s mid-paced dirty old school death (rock?) metal with a lot of variations thrown in.

That brings us to “Why Can the Bodies Fly?” which is a Warp Spasm cover. This song is distortion city, with a lot of nods to electronic music, keyboards and distorted vocals. Normally, this would be a train wreck, but once again, it works out perfectly. There’s a great groove coming off of this song, and along with Viva La Muerte and Blood, Pus & Gastric Juice (Rare Groove Mix) is one of my favorites.

Speaking of that Blood, Pus & Gastric Juice (Rare Groove Mix) track, it’s next and is either a remake or remaster of the original, found first on “For God Your Soul… For Me Your Flesh”. The updated production makes it a killer song, and if you like the original version, you should be all over this one. And yes, for the record, the bodily functions (spitting, belching, coughing, ripping ass, etc) are intact, making it that much more fun to listen to. And, let’s face it, any song that starts with “Listen to me, I have a story to tell / About a guy whose name I can’t spell…” is comedy gold!

The last three to round this one out are “Horny Little Piggy Bank”, “Four F Club” and “Blood, Pus & Gastric Juice (Tekkno-House Mix). And Horny Little Piggy Bank is the last of the “original” material. The psychedelic metal theme comes into play again, while the lyrics being completely about sexual degradation that even internet wankers would blush at – and it’s implied that the grudge-fuck in question is aimed at the protagonist’s sister. If you want demented and offensive, this is a good track. And musically, it’s along the same lines of a cross between Viva La Muerte and Blood, Pus & Gastric Juice (RGM). If you’ve ever broken up with someone, this song is not an emo type of song where the lyrics reflect “I love you, you betrayed me, I’m so sad” bullshit – fuck no! This is utter revenge put to music and lyrics!

“Four F Club” is the second (and last) cover, this time from the infamous Mentors, appropriately enough. The topic of the song is, of course, degradation of women - would you expect anything less from a Mentors cover, though? “Find her / Feed her / Fuck her / Forget her!” It’s an interesting song, but it’s not among the best.

And finally, subject yourself to Blood, Pus & Gastric Juice (The Tekkno-House Mix). I suppose in the grand scheme of things, this seemed like a good idea at the time, with all the mixture in the rest of the tracks, but it’s one that most listeners can easily bypass. The only way I can describe it is if some underground techno band got a copy of the original version and decided to completely bastardize it. To its credit, it does some pretty harsh, and not in the “dance techno” style. But for your average metalhead, this is a throwaway.

Overall, if you like the first three albums, I would definitely suggest getting your grubby man-handling paws on this one, as it is an entertaining and interesting look into the world of Pungent Stench on levels either never heard, or at best simply dabbled with on “For God Your Soul…” and “Been Caught Buttering”. Essential if you like experiments in your death metal for a change of pace.

About 1,5 years after their masterpiece "Been Caught Buttering" we finally heard something new from Pungent Stench. It was this weird EP with several rocking tunes,a few covers and most notable, a very impressive album cover (and booklet).

First of all let me start by saying you have to get your hands on this release because of the song “Why Can The Bodies Fly”. This song defines this album for me. It is groovy, it is heavy and most of all, it is remarkably funny! The lyrics, the groove, the weird noises. Timeless! And to think it’s a cover.

The first song “Praise The Names Of The Musical Assassins” and last song “Blood, Pus And Gastric Juice [Tekkno-House-Mix]” are enjoyable only once really. The first one being a lot of sounds and spoken words. The last one a silly remix with digital beats.

The originals “Viva La Muerte” and “Horny Little Piggie Bank” showed a very different Pungent Stench. Whereas they played doom or ultra fast death metal earlier, they now sounded like a sludgy groove collective with a little glam attitude thrown in. Normally I’d given up on the band at that point were it not that their sense of humour was still very present in these songs and their “Yeah Baby”-approach towards death metal was actually quite refreshing in those days and highly amusing.

All in all Pungent Stench made a giant leap forward (or sideways, whatever you prefer) with this release. They would not start to really disappoint until their next album. This can be considered the last of the really great Pungent Stench releases (not counting their 21st century comeback releases)

Tracklist:
01 Praise the names of the musical assassins
02 Viva la muerte
03 Why can the bodies fly (???Cover)
04 Blood, pus and gastric juice (Rare Groove Mix)
05 Horny little piggy bank
06 Four ´f´ club (Mentors Cover)
07 Blood, pus and gastric juice (Tekkno-House-Remix)


This EP is slighltly different, if you compare it with the rest of Pungent Stench´s works. This means, you have to expect your ears to be "polluted" by a tekkno remix of their classic song "Blood, pus and gastric juice"...
Mainly this EP consists of cover versions (Mentors e.g.) and Remixes of older songs, but these covers are made in the typical Pungent style. This also holds for the two new songs featured on this record.
"Viva la muerte" starts with a really cool opening riff and features the groove that is well known. All in all this song sounds like an attempt to be more experimental, but nevertheless it´s pure Pungent Stench music!!! It is brutal, it is groovy, it is typical!
The second new song is called "Horny little piggy bank"., and it delivers pretty funny lyrics, such as "Some day you're gonna be full, a money-pregnant slag, and heavy like a tank, my horny little piggy bank". This song is also pretty brutal and although it is different compared with the old work, you can imagine Pungent Stench immediately.
Song 3 is called “Blood, pus and gastric juice (Rare Groove Mix)” and I can´t understand, why the band released a mix version, which sounds too similar to the original. But it´s a classic, so one shouldn´t be bothered.
“Four ´f´ club” is a Mentors cover and if you know the song, you´ll recognize the original. This version fits 100% into the back-catalogue of nowadays Pungent Stench.
The only song, which is totally out of range, is the above mentioned “Blood, pus and gastric juice (Tekkno-House-Remix)”, for this song can´t be compared with metal. It´s just a version with techno drums, keyboards and grunted lyrics. Maybe this song is cool to haunt your neighbours, but it´s not really the music known by Pungent Stench….