Sanguisugabogg Sparks Controversy With Super Mario-Inspired ‘Free Luigi’ Shirt

Sanguisugabogg Sparks Controversy With Super Mario-Inspired ‘Free Luigi’ Shirt

Death metal has always thrived on controversy, with its provocative lyrics and grotesque imagery designed to shock and challenge societal norms. While public outrage around the genre may have waned as both it and the internet evolved, Columbus, Ohio’s Sanguisugabogg have reignited that rebellious spirit with a bold and topical new merchandise item.

The band has announced a limited-edition shirt that references the recent high-profile assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson and the man accused of his murder, Luigi Mangione. Unsurprisingly, the design is already stirring up controversy—not only for its subject matter but also for its potential clash with Nintendo.

The shirt depicts a hooded Luigi, styled after the popular Super Mario Bros. character, shooting a freshly assassinated Bowser, the iconic antagonist of the franchise. Above the graphic, the phrase “Free Luigi” boldly stands out. The item is now available for pre-order through deadassshirts.com, ensuring that both fans of the band and those who enjoy pushing buttons will have a chance to secure this eyebrow-raising piece of merch.

Whether it will provoke legal action from Nintendo remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Sanguisugabogg are once again challenging boundaries, staying true to the genre’s roots of provocation and dark humor.

The unveiling of Sanguisugabogg’s controversial “Free Luigi” shirt comes on the heels of a tongue-in-cheek social media post they shared on December 11th. The post featured a photoshopped image and a fabricated story to further stir the pot.

Recently, several death metal bands, including Sanguisugabogg and Monument Of Misanthropy, along with various death metal layout artists and labels, have faced suspensions of their official Instagram accounts. This crackdown has prompted an exodus to X (formerly Twitter), as many affected artists and organizations seek alternative platforms to engage with their audiences.

Pre order this one of a kind shirt here https://t.co/cwXVKFeCGq pic.twitter.com/sLwTqXM3JT

— Sanguisugabogg (@sanguisugabogg) December 11, 2024

Since unveiling the “Free Luigi” shirt earlier today, Sanguisugabogg have stirred the pot even further through their active engagement on social media. Here are a few highlights from their interactions:

death metal band Sanguisugabogg have found their official Instagram suspensed