Bonginator

Bonginator delivers a sonic experience that is simultaneously punishing and absurd. It is the sound of a basement show in 1986 where the band is obsessed with both early death metal and the local head shop. The guitars are tuned low enough to rattle teeth, while the drums provide a relentless, hardcore-influenced backbone that keeps the energy high even during the slowest, sludgiest breakdowns.

What sets them apart is the 'weed-metal' gimmick executed with high-level technical proficiency and a sharp sense of humor. They lean heavily into the 'caveman' riff style popularized by modern death metal peers, but they garnish it with synth intros that sound like they were ripped from a lost John Carpenter score. It is a specific blend of gore, green, and groove that feels fresh despite its retro influences.

Start with 'The Intergalactic Gorebong of Deathpot' for a full realization of their sound. It captures the transition from high-speed thrashing to the kind of slow, rhythmic 'slam' that makes you want to move. It is perfect for fans of the new wave of American death metal who do not take themselves too seriously but take their riffs very seriously.