Sanguisugabogg

Pornographic Seizures (2019)

Maximillian Power

After spending some time stumbling around on the internet and various streaming sites browsing new music, I came across the beautifully unreadable logo of Sanguisugabogg, and somehow, got sucked in. I immediately assumed the band would provide a poorly produced stab at black metal, but I was pleasantly surprised when down-tuned and sludgy death metal came out of my speakers.

Sanguisugabogg’s most recent release, the appropriately titled Pornographic Seizures, immediately sucks the listener in with the droning and heavy intro of “Uningest” and continues to rage its way through another 3 mid-tempo death metal bangers. The band does a good job of digging into death metal influences highlighted throughout the late 80’s and early 90’s by bands such as Obituary, Bolt Thrower, Benediction, and early Cannibal Corpse. Ohio's Sanguisugabogg lean toward a groove oriented and double kick heavy sound as opposed to faster and more abrasive blast beat driven death metal. The production is perfect given the band’s style, clear and heavy, with the perfect amount of reverb for indie metal purists.

While I cannot comment on a significant amount of the content within the songs due to lack of a lyric sheet and the guttural delivery of the vocals, the theme seems to be of the gross out and splatter death metal variety. The band’s Bandcamp comes with the polite disclaimer of “*we are not responsible for instantaneous vomiting upon listening”. Luckily for me, I was spared from this gruesome side effect, but not for lack of trying from the band I suppose.

Sanguisugabogg have delivered a solid and memorable 4-track death metal EP with Pornographic Seizures. The musical ability of the band is on point with a well suited and clear production quality. The band produce nostalgic and crushing death metal riffs throughout the EP, leaving me hopeful and curious about a future full length release. If you have any inclination towards thrash and death metal, this EP will keep you entertained. FFO: Tomb Mold, Dying Fetus, Bolt Thrower, and Gate Creeper.