Siege was an American hardcore punk band from Weymouth, Massachusetts. Formed in 1981, they were active in the Boston hardcore scene from 1984 to 1985, and reunited briefly in 1991. Drummer Rob Williams and guitarist Kurt Habelt led a live ensemble of reunion performances between 2016 and 2023.
Siege at their high school's 'Battle of the Bands' in 1984. Left to right: Rob Williams, Kevin Mahoney, and Kurt Habelt.
Anal Cunt vocalist Seth Putnam fronted the band during their brief 1991 reunion.
Grindcore is an extreme fusion genre of heavy metal and hardcore punk that originated in the mid-1980s, drawing inspiration from abrasive-sounding musical styles, such as thrashcore, crust punk, hardcore punk, extreme metal, and industrial. Grindcore is considered a more noise-filled style of hardcore punk while using hardcore's trademark characteristics such as heavily distorted, down-tuned guitars, grinding overdriven bass, high-speed tempo, blast beats, and vocals which consist of growls, shouts and high-pitched shrieks. Early groups like Napalm Death are credited with laying the groundwork for the style. It is most prevalent today in North America and Europe, with popular contributors such as Brutal Truth and Nasum. Lyrical themes range from a primary focus on social and political concerns, to gory subject matter and black humor.
Grindcore pioneers Napalm Death in a 2007 show
Seth Putnam of Anal Cunt at Relapse Festival, 1993
Brutal Truth live at Hole In The Sky, Bergen Metal Fest 2008
Finnish grindcore group Rotten Sound performing in Kuopio in 2008