Pungent Stench - Smut Kingdom (Reissue)

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Since newcomers in Metal (especially when we are dealing with extreme Metal genres) have a ridiculous tendency to forget the primal reason for the existence of music: to be something fun. Yes, Metal, as a form of music, is to be fun. Some Metalheads are forgetting this simple (but important) idea, and losing precious time with rules based on nonsense. If you’re looking for militancy, stay away from “Smut Kingdom”, because on PUNGENT STENCH’s musical work, fun is the driving force.

In their beginning, their lyrics were based on disgusting themes with a lot of distorted humor. But on this album, their earlier Death Metal orientation matured a lot into a Death’n’Roll format, showing good harsh melodies and simple technique. It is truly fun, and the lyrics follow this same tendency. Although it’s not their best work, “Smut Kingdom” is a great and fun alum, indeed. To be honest: this album was recorded on 2005 and 2007, but this is the first time it comes to the light. The sound quality bears that essential dirtiness that a Death’n’Roll album must bear, but keeping the sound clarity that the band needs to be understood by the fans. But it’s truly heavy and aggressive, in a way that you’ll have no reasons to complain. The tunes were chosen in a way that the album sounds fresh and organic (you won’t hear any rhythmic guitar during the solos, just to explain how this album sounds spontaneous and its “live” scent).

The songs aren’t as technical as many would like them to be, but all of them are great moments. The excellent tempos and good rhythmic work presented on “Aztec Holiday”, the nasty melodies presented on “Persona Non Grata”, the shocking impact of “Brute”, the violence on the groove that permeates “Kind of Smut” (where some of their earlier Death Metal elements appear, especially on the guitar riffs), the raw energy that flows from “Opus Dei”, the brutal and fun “Me Gonzo” (another one filled with Death Metal touches), and the long and oppressive “Planet of the Dead” are their finest moments.

But why in the blazes for such fine album we had to wait eleven years for a release???

Originality: 9
Songwriting: 10
Memorability: 7
Production: 8