Hellbastard

Hellbastard is a crust punk and crossover group from Newcastle upon Tyne, formed in 1985. The band is associated with the early use of the term “crust punk”, which it coins in connection with squatting culture and the gritty hardcore punk sound that reflects it. Its genres include crust punk, metal, punk, stenchcore and thrash metal.

Formation and early line-up

Hellbastard forms by guitarist and vocalist Scruff, formerly of The Apostles. The first line-up includes Scruff on guitar and vocals, Simo on bass and Phil on drums, but this line-up makes no recordings. Scotty then replaces Simo on bass.

Recordings and releases

In 1986 the band records the Ripper Crust demo tape. The following year it returns to the same studio to record an album for Peaceville, but this becomes the second demo tape Hate Militia instead; a track from it appears on the Peaceville compilation LP A Vile Peace.

Hellbastard records its debut album Heading for Internal Darkness in 1988 on Meantime Records. Although intended as a vinyl-only release, it also appears on CD through Silent Scream. The next release is the 7-inch single They Brought Death on Temple Of Love, with Brian Newton, formerly of Doom, on drums.

Later line-up changes

In 1990 the band records the LP Natural Order for Earache. By this point Drew Wright has joined on bass and Ali Lee on second guitar, and the recording shows a more thrash metal-oriented sound. Later, Hairy replaces Brian on drums and Nick Parsons replaces Ali on guitar. After further recordings and touring, the band splits up.