Knut

Knut is a Swiss mathcore and sludge metal band formed in Geneva in 1994. Known for their intense sound, which combines heavily distorted guitars, odd-time signatures, and harsh vocals, Knut has been influential in the metalcore scene. They started by releasing several seven-inch EPs and their first CD, *Leftovers*, in 1997 on Snuff Records, a label run by band members Didier Séverin and Roderic Mounir. Their first full-length album, *Bastardiser*, released in 1998, gained them international attention, leading to a reissue in the U.S. by Hydra Head Records in 2000. Knut toured extensively with notable bands like Converge and Isis, and went on to release *Challenger* in 2002, *Terraformer* in 2005, and *Wonder* in 2010. The band went on hiatus in 2012 but has since seen re-releases of their classic albums, including a 20th-anniversary edition of *Bastardiser* and a remastered *Challenger*.

Knut's music is characterized by its bleak and aggressive style, often incorporating elements of post-rock and industrial sounds. Their albums reflect a progression from raw, intense metalcore to more experimental and ambient textures, as seen in *Terraformer*. The band's influence can be noted in various metalcore and post-metal genres. Despite their hiatus, Knut remains a notable figure in the underground metal scene, with their music continuing to inspire and influence new generations of metal fans.

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