Minaret

**Minaret** burst out of Richmond, Virginia's underground hardcore scene in the late 2000s with a raw, unapologetic take on straight edge hardcore. Known for blistering live shows in DIY spaces and basements, the band channeled the urgency of classic ’90s metallic hardcore into their music, pairing pummeling riffs with fiercely ethical lyrics. Their self-titled 2011 demo and split releases, like their collaboration with Laeirs, became cult favorites for fans of no-frills aggression. Though their time as a band was relatively short, Minaret’s discography—often pressed in limited cassette or vinyl runs—remains a testament to the grit and passion of Richmond’s DIY community. Their sound still resonates as a love letter to uncompromising hardcore done loud, fast, and with zero pretension.