Sanguisugabogg

{{Short description|American death metal band}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2024}}

{{Infobox musical artist

| image = HF2024Sanguisugabogg 2.jpg

| caption = Sanguisugabogg at Hellfest 2024

| landscape = yes

| name = Sanguisugabogg

| origin = Columbus, Ohio, U.S.

| genre = Death metal

| years_active = 2019–present

| label = {{flatlist|

}}

| current_members = *Cody Davidson

  • Devin Swank
  • Cedrik Davis
  • Drew Arnold

| past_members = *Cameron Boggs

  • Steph Barnes

| website = {{URL|https://sanguisugabogg.com/}}

}}

Sanguisugabogg is an American death metal band formed in Columbus, Ohio, in 2019 by guitarist Cameron Boggs.{{Cite web |title=Sanguisugabogg - Encyclopaedia Metallum: The Metal Archives |url=https://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Sanguisugabogg/3540456407 |access-date=2023-05-16 |website=www.metal-archives.com}}{{Cite web |date=2023-01-26 |title=Meet Sanguisugabogg, The Band Corpsegrinder Says Is 'Keeping Death Metal Alive' |url=https://www.wearethepit.com/2023/01/meet-sanguisugabogg-the-band-corpsegrinder-says-is-keeping-death-metal-alive/ |access-date=2023-05-16 |website=The Pit |language=en-US}} To date, they have released one demo, one live album and two studio albums. Current members include drummer-percussionist Cody Davidson, vocalist Devin Swank, guitarist-bassist Cedrik Davis and guitarist-bassist Drew Arnold.{{Citation |title=SANGUISUGABOGG - Face Ripped Off (OFFICIAL VIDEO) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-5u0FiCW28 |access-date=2023-05-22 |language=en}}

While also being a reference to founding member Cameron Boggs' last name, the band's name is also a combination of "sanguisuga" (Latin for "leech") and "bog" (British English slang for "toilet").

History

= 2019–2021: Formation and ''Tortured Whole'' =

Sanguisugabogg formed in 2019 in Columbus, Ohio.{{Cite web |date=2019-07-26 |title=Sanguisugabogg Releases Pornographic Seizures EP |url=https://www.decibelmagazine.com/2019/07/26/sanguisugabogg-releases-pornographic-seizures-ep/ |access-date=2025-02-24 |website=Decibel |language=en}} On July 26, 2019, they released their debut EP/demo, Pornographic Seizures, through Maggot Stomp.

In early 2020, original bassist Steph Barnes left the group.{{Cite web |date=2020-02-15 |title=Sanguisugabogg announces bassist departure |url=https://www.metalsucks.net/2020/02/15/sanguisugabogg-announces-bassist-departure/ |access-date=2025-02-24 |website=MetalSucks |language=en}} That January, the band joined Creeping Death on a short U.S. tour, followed by their own headlining run featuring Undeath, Vomit Forth, and Graveview on select dates.{{Cite web |date=2020-01-10 |title=Sanguisugabogg announces 2020 U.S. tour with Undeath and Vomit Forth |url=https://www.brooklynvegan.com/sanguisugabogg-announces-2020-tour-with-undeath-and-vomit-forth/ |access-date=2025-02-24 |website=BrooklynVegan |language=en}}

On January 15, 2021, the band released the single "Menstrual Envy" and announced their debut full-length album, Tortured Whole, scheduled for release on March 26, 2021, via Century Media Records.{{Cite web |date=2021-01-15 |title=Sanguisugabogg announce debut album Tortured Whole |url=https://www.kerrang.com/sanguisugabogg-announce-debut-album-tortured-whole/ |access-date=2025-02-24 |website=Kerrang! |language=en}} Leading up to the album’s release, they issued additional singles, including "Dead as Shit" (February 5), "Dick Filet" (February 21) and "Gored in the Chest" (March 12).{{Cite web |date=2021-03-12 |title=Sanguisugabogg releases Gored in the Chest |url=https://metalinjection.net/av/new-music/sanguisugabogg-releases-gored-in-the-chest/ |access-date=2025-02-24 |website=Metal Injection |language=en}} Following the release of Tortured Whole, guitarist and founding member Cameron Boggs left the band before the resumption of touring post-COVID-19 restrictions.{{Cite web |date=2021-06-20 |title=Guitarist Cameron Boggs departs from Sanguisugabogg |url=https://lambgoat.com/news/34405/guitarist-cameron-boggs-departs-from-sanguisugabogg/ |access-date=2025-02-24 |website=Lambgoat |language=en}}

In late 2021, Sanguisugabogg co-headlined the "Frozen Whole" U.S. tour with Frozen Soul, supported by Vomit Forth and Inoculation.{{Cite web |date=2021-10-05 |title=Sanguisugabogg and Frozen Soul announce Frozen Whole tour |url=https://metalinjection.net/tour-dates/sanguisugabogg-and-frozen-soul-announce-frozen-whole-tour/ |access-date=2025-02-24 |website=Metal Injection |language=en}}

= 2022–2023: ''Homicidal Ecstasy'' =

In May 2022, the band supported Terror on their Pain into Power U.S. release tour alongside Kublai Khan and Pain of Truth.{{Cite web |date=2022-04-18 |title=Terror announces Pain into Power tour with Sanguisugabogg |url=https://loudwire.com/terror-announce-pain-into-power-tour/ |access-date=2025-02-24 |website=Loudwire |language=en}} The following month, they joined Cannibal Corpse and 200 Stab Wounds for a short U.S. run.{{Cite web |date=2022-05-22 |title=Sanguisugabogg joins Cannibal Corpse tour |url=https://www.metalsucks.net/2022/05/22/sanguisugabogg-joins-cannibal-corpse-tour/ |access-date=2025-02-24 |website=MetalSucks |language=en}} August 2022 saw them embark on another U.S. headlining tour featuring Undeath, No/Más, Vomit Forth and Volcano. In November 2022, they toured Europe supporting Full of Hell alongside J.A.D.{{Cite web |date=2022-08-12 |title=Sanguisugabogg announces 2022 European tour |url=https://www.brooklynvegan.com/sanguisugabogg-announces-european-tour-with-full-of-hell/ |access-date=2025-02-24 |website=BrooklynVegan |language=en}}

On February 3, 2023, Sanguisugabogg released their sophomore album, Homicidal Ecstasy, through Century Media Records.{{Cite web |date=2023-02-03 |title=Sanguisugabogg drops Homicidal Ecstasy album |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/sanguisugabogg-drops-homicidal-ecstasy/ |access-date=2025-02-24 |website=Blabbermouth |language=en}}

= 2024–present: New music and tours =

On June 4, 2024, Sanguisugabogg released the standalone single "Permanently Fucked," marking their first new music since Homicidal Ecstasy.{{Cite web |date=2024-06-04 |title=Sanguisugabogg unleash new single, Permanently F*cked |url=https://www.kerrang.com/sanguisugabogg-unleash-new-single-permanently-f-cked |access-date=2025-02-24 |website=Kerrang! |language=en}}

In early 2024, the band supported Suffocation on a European tour alongside Enterprise Earth and Organectomy.{{Cite web |date=2024-01-08 |title=Suffocation announces 2024 European tour with Sanguisugabogg |url=https://www.metalsucks.net/2024/01/08/suffocation-announces-european-tour-with-sanguisugabogg/ |access-date=2025-02-24 |website=MetalSucks |language=en}} Later that spring, they co-headlined a U.S. tour with Jesus Piece, featuring support from PeelingFlesh and GAG.

In November 2024, Sanguisugabogg's Instagram account was suspended without clear explanation. The band expressed frustration over the lack of communication from the platform and the impact on their ability to engage with fans.{{cite web |last=metalsucks |first= |date=2024 |title=Sanguisugabogg Suspended From Instagram |url=https://www.metalsucks.net/2024/11/17/sanguisugabogg-suspended-from-instagram-maybe-forever/ |website=metalsucks.net}}

In January 2025, the band announced they were working on new music, slated for release later in the year.{{Cite web |date=2025-01-14 |title=Sanguisugabogg confirm new music for 2025 |url=https://lambgoat.com/news/45579/sanguisugabogg-confirm-new-music-for-2025/ |access-date=2025-02-24 |website=Lambgoat |language=en}} To promote their upcoming material, they scheduled a spring headlining tour with 200 Stab Wounds, Gridiron and Mutilatred. They are also set to perform at major festivals, including Louder Than Life 2025.{{Cite web |date=2025-02-15 |title=Louder Than Life 2025 lineup revealed |url=https://lambgoat.com/music/Sanguisugabogg |access-date=2025-02-24 |website=Lambgoat |language=en}}

Band members

Membership and lineup adapted from "Face Ripped Off" music video.

= Current =

  • Devin Swank – vocals (2019–present)
  • Cody Davidson – drums (2019–present)
  • Cedrik Davis – guitar, bass (2020–present)
  • Drew Arnold – guitar, bass (2021–present)

= Former =

  • Cameron Boggs – guitar (2019-2021)
  • Steph Barnes – bass (2019-2020)

Musical Style

Sanguisugabogg is primarily a brutal death metal and slam death metal band, incorporating elements of old-school death metal and grindcore in their sound. Their music is characterized by heavily downtuned guitars, guttural vocals and groove-laden riffs that emphasize slow, chugging brutality alongside bursts of blast beats and technical precision. The band's lyrical themes often revolve around gore, absurd violence and dark humor, drawing comparisons to bands like Mortician, Devourment and Dying Fetus.

Their debut album, Tortured Whole (2021), was noted for its raw and primitive approach, with critics highlighting its "caveman riffs" and "ignorantly heavy" sound.{{cite web |last= |first= |title=Sanguisugabogg Brings Ignorantly Heavy Death Metal on Tortured Whole |website=Metal Injection |date=2021 |url= }} Angry Metal Guy described the album as "gross, tasteless, and a whole lot of fun," noting its blend of brutal death metal with a "swampy Obituary kick."{{cite web |last= |first= |title=Sanguisugabogg - Tortured Whole Review |website=Angry Metal Guy |date=2021 |url= }} Nattskog's Blog commented on the album's "primal, stomping slab of filthy Death Metal," emphasizing its "brutish, crude and heavy" nature.{{cite web |last= |first= |title=ALBUM REVIEW: Sanguisugabogg – Tortured Whole |website=Nattskog's Blog |date=2021 |url= }}

With their follow-up album, Homicidal Ecstasy (2023), the band refined their approach, incorporating slightly more technicality while retaining their signature primal and sludgy aesthetic. Metal Injection noted that the album "effectively elevates music made by a band whose name roughly translates to 'blood sucking toilet,' while maintaining the tenets that make their music so much fun."{{cite web |last= |first= |title=Album Review: SANGUISUGABOGG Homicidal Ecstasy |website=Metal Injection |date=2023 |url= }} Teeth of the Divine highlighted the album's "punch-you-in-the-face style" production, comparing it to the likes of Internal Bleeding, Dehumanized and Cannibal Corpse.{{cite web |last= |first= |title=Sanguisugabogg – Homicidal Ecstasy |website=Teeth of the Divine |date=2023 |url= }} Sputnikmusic praised the album's "hardcore energy," suggesting it elevates the band's presence within the genre.{{cite web |last= |first= |title=Sanguisugabogg - Homicidal Ecstasy (album review) |website=Sputnikmusic |date=2023 |url= }} Metal Purgatory Media noted that tracks like "Pissed" and "Necrosexual Deviant" showcase the band's traditional sound while incorporating more groove and structured tones reminiscent of early Cannibal Corpse.{{cite web |last= |first= |title=Sanguisugabogg- Homicidal Ecstasy Album Review |website=Metal Purgatory Media |date=2023 |url= }}

The band's sound is also distinguished by its tongue-in-cheek approach to death metal tropes, often exaggerating gore and violence to the point of parody, as noted in Pitchfork’s review of their early work.{{cite web |last= |first= |title=The New Wave of Slam Metal Embraces the Ridiculous |website=Pitchfork |date=2021 |url= }}

Influences

Sanguisugabogg draws inspiration from a variety of genres, including brutal death metal, slam death metal, hardcore, punk rock and even hip-hop. In interviews, the band members have cited several key influences:

=Cannibal Corpse=

: "Cannibal Corpse has been a major influence on the way I approach death metal, both musically and lyrically. Their aggressive sound and in-your-face brutality resonate deeply with me," said vocalist Devin Swank.{{cite interview |last=Swank |first=Devin |title=Interview with Sanguisugabogg |publisher=RushOnRock |date=2021 |url=https://rushonrock.com/2021/03/23/exclusive-interview-sanguisugabogg}}

=Devourment=

: Guitarist Cody Gage mentioned, "Devourment's raw heaviness and groove were huge for us. They're a defining band in the slam scene, and their influence on us is undeniable."{{cite interview |last=Gage |first=Cody |title=Interview with Sanguisugabogg |publisher=New Noise Magazine |date=2021 |url=https://newnoisemagazine.com/interviews/sanguisugabogg-on-the-love-of-music-and-furthering-their-sound}}

=Nile=

: "Nile's technicality and ability to blend brutality with atmosphere is something we admire. We try to capture that balance of heaviness with a bit of an ancient, eerie vibe," noted drummer Aaron Heard.{{cite interview |last=Heard |first=Aaron |title=Interview with Sanguisugabogg |publisher=Metal Injection |date=2021 |url=https://www.metalinjection.net/interviews/sanguisugabogg-interview}}

=Hardcore and punk rock=

: "Hardcore has definitely influenced the way we approach energy and attitude in our music. It keeps things raw and real," added bassist Tyler Cordero.{{cite interview |last=Cordero |first=Tyler |title=Interview with Sanguisugabogg |publisher=YouTube |date=2021 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faiXzYP376k}}

=Hip-Hop=

: Swank also explained, "We all grew up listening to different kinds of music, and hip-hop's rhythm and flow are things we bring into our writing, especially in terms of creating infectious grooves."{{cite interview |last=Swank |first=Devin |title=Interview with Sanguisugabogg |publisher=New Noise Magazine |date=2021 |url=https://newnoisemagazine.com/interviews/sanguisugabogg-on-the-love-of-music-and-furthering-their-sound}}

Discography

= Studio albums =

  • Tortured Whole (2021, Century Media)
  • Homicidal Ecstasy (2023, Century Media){{Cite web |last=Sacher |first=Andrew|date=2022-11-15 |title=Sanguisugabogg announce new album 'Homicidal Ecstasy,' share "Pissed" |url=https://www.brooklynvegan.com/sanguisugabogg-announce-new-album-homicidal-ecstasy-share-pissed/ |access-date=2023-05-16 |website=BrooklynVegan |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Felagund |date=2023-02-14 |title=Sanguisugabogg - Homicidal Ecstasy Review |url=https://www.angrymetalguy.com/sanguisugabogg-homicidal-ecstasy-review/ |access-date=2023-05-16 |website=Angry Metal Guy |language=en-US}}

= Live albums =

  • The Devil's Eyes (2022)

= Demos =

  • Pornographic Seizures (2019)

Controversies

= "Free Luigi" shirt controversy (December 2024) =

In December 2024, the band released a limited-edition "Free Luigi" shirt featuring a parody of the Super Mario Bros. character Luigi, referencing the arrest of Luigi Mangione in connection with the murder and assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The shirt depicted Luigi in a hoodie, holding a gun over Bowser, with the caption "Free Luigi." This design drew criticism for its insensitivity and potential legal issues, particularly concerning the use of Nintendo's intellectual property. Vocalist Devin Swank clarified that the shirt was a personal project and not official band merch.{{cite web |last=loudwire |first= |title=Sanguisugabogg Controversy "Free Luigi" Shirt |website=loudwire.com |date=2024 |url=https://loudwire.com/sanguisugabogg-controversy-shirt-united-healthcare-ceo/}}

= Lyrical content and genre reception =

Some critics have taken issue with the band's explicit and graphic lyrical themes, arguing that they may hinder the genre's progression. A review of their album Tortured Whole noted that while the album is "gross, tasteless, and a whole lot of fun," it also reflects a "raw and primitive" approach that some may find troubling.{{cite web |last=heavyblogisheavy |first= |title=Sanguisugabogg - Tortured Whole Review |website=heavyblogisheavy.com |date=2021 |url=https://www.heavyblogisheavy.com/2021/04/05/sanguisugabogg-tortured-whole/}}

References

{{Reflist}}