Racetraitor

Racetraitor is a confrontational Chicago-based metalcore/hardcore band known for their unapologetically political stance and blistering sonic intensity. Formed in the late ’90s, the group gained notoriety for their radical critiques of systemic oppression, white supremacy, and capitalism, anchored in their involvement with the vegan straight edge movement. After disbanding in 1999, they reemerged in the 2010s with renewed urgency, maintaining their core ethos while expanding their lineup (which briefly included Fall Out Boy’s Andy Hurley in their early days). Their sound—a volatile mix of metallic hardcore, death metal, and crust punk—serves as a vehicle for lyrics that challenge power structures and historical injustices.

In recent years, Racetraitor has remained fiercely active, dropping releases like *Creation and the Timeless Order of Things* (2023) and *2042* (2022), which double down on their anti-colonial, anti-racist messaging. Tracks like *Pastoral Monolith* (featuring Refused’s Dennis Lyxzén) and *BLK XMAS* showcase their collaborative spirit and knack for merging raw aggression with thematic depth. They’ve also revisited earlier material, remastering classics like *Burn the Idol of the White Messiah* to bridge their incendiary past with their present-day activism. Still rooted in DIY ethics, Racetraitor continues to provoke and dismantle, proving their relevance in an era hungry for radical accountability.

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