In late 2021, guitarist and vocalist Erik Thorstenn started writing demos for an yet undetermined death metal project born from his passion for cheesy 80ās movies and growing weed.
Fast forward just one year later, and the band now known as Bonginator has made a crushing impact on the death metal scene. Bonginator is a stoner death metal band based out of Boston, MA, but donāt let the name fool you.
Bonginator isnāt your everyday stoner band, they pack a serious punch of hardcore death riffs and gut ripping breakdowns that come together to create an experience that can only be described as āhands-freeā if you know what I mean. Bonginator totes the phrase āTwo-Stepping Neon Weed Deathā as a means to simplify their hardcore, energetic, 80ās inspired weed-infused death metal sound into a cool phrase on a t-shirt.Ā
Since the official launch of the band on January 1, 2022, Bonginator has toured the country multiple times and released their debut EP, āThe 1986 Doink City Massacreā on April 20, 2022 through Barbaric Brutality. Bonginator anticipates growing even larger with the release of their debut LP,
āThe Intergalactic Gorebong of Deathpotā which releases April 20, 2023, keeping true to this bands dedication to the crop. Bonginator has already released two singles off the album, āCHOPPED 2 PIECESā and āZombie Party Rockersā, and the anticipation has only grown since. Bonginator is confident their music will change the game.
LINEUP:
Erik Thorstenn – Guitar/Vox
Ron Bernhaut – Bass
Jake Thompson – Drums (former, on the album)
Joseph McNamara – Drums (current, not on the album)
Erik Thorstenn is the leader and main creative force behind Bonginator. The idea grew out of Erikās love for cheesy 80ās movies and growing marijuana. Erik also really enjoys pinball and cooking. When heās not on the road, Erik works as a sound and lighting guy at various venues in Boston.