U.K. underground heroes Hellbastard have a looooong history of being in the right place at the wrong time. The band actually coined the term “crust” on their first demo back in 1985, long before it was applied to fellow English legends Amebix. A few years later, as punk-influenced grindcore and death metal ascended as a cultural force, Hellbastard signed to Earache Records — the world’s most important label releasing those genres at the time — and promptly recorded a straight-forward thrash album (1990’s Natural Order).
So, in keeping with that tradition, today Hellbastard premiere a new video for “Outsider of the Year,” a track from their most recent album, Feral… which was released in 2015. We’ll let guitarist/vocalist Malcolm “Scruff” Lewty explain this delay.
“Although this song is seven years old, the band had previously attempted to make a video to accompany this track in Northern Ireland in March 2018,” Scruff tells Decibel. “Sadly, the project faltered and never came to full fruition. A year after a pandemic enforced hiatus, the band are back firing on all cylinders, planing for a bright future and proud to be working alongside such an established supporter of the scene as Decibel.
“‘Outsider of the Year’ was made by trading hands-on labor. Most bands have a budget: Our ‘budget’ was £00.00. In return for making a patio for cameraman John ‘Bongo’ Baker, he agreed to film, edit, travel and spend six hours of his life editing the film. In return, Mr. Bongo got a revitalized new garden patio. That’s DIY at its best!
“So, if you’re a promoter reading this, and wish to have Hellbastard play in your country, don’t be afraid to suggest that in return for flights, food, accommodation we can make you a new patio, or sort out your garden! Trade is always better then money-grabbing!”
Feral is still available via PATAC Records.
