Pungent Stench
Masters of Moral, Servants of Sin

March 2002
Released: 2001, Nuclear Blast
Rating: 3.5/5
Reviewer: Waspman

It’s been eight years since their last full-length album and four since their box set, but Pungent Stench are back and ready to continue preaching their Testament of Stench. Unfortunately, this is yet another cheapo Nuclear Blast promo release, so I guess I only get to read about half of the Testament before realizing that some of the pages are missing. Guys, this is getting ridiculous, and like it or not, I’m going to continue to rant about it so do us all a favour and get me to shut the hell up and get back to sending out full-length promos.



How does Pungent Stench sound in anno 2002? Like an old-school death metal band, that’s how! Basically, if you liked the Stench before, you’ll still be into them now. Same as ever, the band have songs and subjects that’ll be raising hackles the world over. School killings? Yep, we got “School’s Out Forever”. OK, well how about necrophilia? No problem, there’s always “Mortuary Love Affair”. Violence? Of course! Don’t forget “Retaliation”. The gang’s all here!



Musically, the band sound like they’ve stayed true to their 80s death metal roots, as intelligible growls, catchy songs, and a lack of blastbeats are the order of the day. I have to admit, it’s good to hear this style of metal these days. Hell, any band whose guitar tone reminds me Slayer (“The Convent of Sin”) is immediately in my good books. No complaints, and welcome back to the Stench. Here’s hoping it’s not another eight years between records!