Pungent Stench was an Austrian death metal band known for their grotesque themes and dark humor, which they blended into a unique brand of music that resonated with underground scenes worldwide. Formed in 1988 in Vienna by Martin Schirenc (vocals/guitar), Alex Wank (drums), and Harald Lunzer (bassist), who was later replaced by Marius Bartonek, the band quickly established themselves with a distinct sound characterized by its heavy riffs, guttural vocals, and controversial lyrical content.

Throughout their tenure, Pungent Stench gained a reputation for pushing boundaries, addressing topics like death, perversion, and societal issues in their lyrics, often causing a stir for their explicit album art and song titles. Their 1993 album, "Been Caught Buttering," with its grotesque cover art, is a staple in the realm of early '90s death metal, while the EP "Dirty Rhymes & Psychotronic Beats" showcased their ability to mix punk influences with their signature death metal sound. The band released several more albums, including "Ampeauty" in 2004, which continued to demonstrate their musical prowess and less conventional approach to metal. After a hiatus, they returned with "Smut Kingdom" in 2018, which was recorded before their split in 2007 but released posthumously, once again proving the enduring allure of their dark and edgy sonic realms. Though their disbandment meant "Smut Kingdom" would be their final statement, the posthumous release of "First Recordings" in 2018 displayed the early raw energy that defined the band's genesis. Pungent Stench remains a cult favorite for metal enthusiasts looking for music laced with unapologetic irreverence and heavy sonic force.