“Let the stench rise from the rar / Feel the rot beneath the scar / No king, no god, just the jar / Of the mighty Stenchrar.”
(Exact track names are left out here to avoid spoilers for first-time listeners; pick whichever cuts on your copy match these descriptions.)
The album is best known for the breakout hit which became a viral sensation due to its high-budget music video featuring a goblin working a 9-to-5 job. Other key tracks include: nekrogoblikon stenchrar
: The undisputed centerpiece. Its infectious chorus and legendary music video made it a viral hit, but musically, it’s a brilliant display of how to balance heaviness with a pop-like hook.
This standout track draws thematic inspiration from Jim Henson’s 1986 fantasy film Labyrinth , specifically referencing the "Bog of Eternal Stench". “Let the stench rise from the rar /
The album's core identity lies in its refusal to be just one thing. While rooted in melodic death metal, it pulls heavily from folk metal, power metal, and even circus-like symphonics.
Nekrogoblikon formed in 2006, initially releasing the lo-fi, folk-metal leaning Goblin Island in 2007. However, it was Stench that marked a massive leap in production quality and musicianship. The album traded amateurish basement recordings for a "substantial slab of music" consisting of 12 tracks that run for nearly an hour of furious, melodic death metal. Key Tracks and Themes of Stench This standout track draws thematic inspiration from Jim
Lyrically, the song rejects the high-fantasy tropes of elves and dwarves. It celebrates decay, composting, and the beauty of being overlooked. It is the sound of a band actively rejecting the polished production that would later define them.