PORNOGRIND

Pornogrind is defined by its relentless speed and aggression. Drumming is dominated by blast beats and double bass patterns at tempos ranging from 180 to 252 BPM. Guitars are typically downtuned to produce a thick, chugging sound, with riffs that are often simplistic but highly percussive. Vocals are usually deep guttural growls or high-pitched screams, with lyrics delivered in a staccato, rhythmic style.

The overall sound is chaotic and abrasive, with a raw production quality that emphasizes the low-end frequencies. Songs are often short, rarely exceeding three minutes, and focus on creating a sense of overwhelming intensity. The genre occasionally incorporates samples from pornographic films, adding to its transgressive nature.

Pornogrind originated in the United Kingdom around 1985, emerging from the early grindcore and death metal scenes. Bands like Carcass and Napalm Death laid the groundwork with their extreme sound and provocative imagery, but it was groups like Gut and Cock and Ball Torture that fully embraced the pornographic theme.

Throughout the late 1980s and 1990s, the genre evolved primarily in the underground, with bands from Europe and the United States adopting the style. The sound became more refined, incorporating elements of goregrind and brutal death metal, while maintaining the signature blast beats and low-tuned guitars.

Culturally, pornogrind has remained a niche and controversial subgenre, often criticized for its explicit content. However, it has a dedicated fanbase that appreciates the extreme musicianship and transgressive nature. The genre is often associated with the broader extreme metal underground and has influenced other subgenres like cybergrind.

When producing pornogrind, the drum sound is crucial. Use a tight, clicky kick drum to cut through the mix, and ensure the snare has a sharp attack to complement the blast beats. The bass drum should be heavily compressed and gated. Guitars should be downtuned (e.g., drop A or lower) and recorded with high gain, but avoid excessive fizz; a scooped midrange works well. Vocals are often recorded with a dynamic microphone and compressed heavily to maintain consistency.

Typical samples include pornographic audio clips, which should be mixed at a lower level to avoid overpowering the instruments. The overall mix should be loud and saturated, with minimal dynamic range. Use sidechain compression on the bass guitar to lock in with the kick drum. Reverb is generally avoided to keep the sound dry and immediate.