Mincecore

What is Mincecore?

Mincecore originated as a response to the presence of sexist/misogynistic and homophobic themes in certain pornogrind and goregrind bands within the grindcore scene. Since its inception in 1985, Agathocles have maintained a steadfast pro-feminist and pro-queer stance. Additionally, the term “mince” (or mincing) has urban slang connotations, often referring to individuals, primarily gay men, who exhibit feminine mannerisms or behavior.

Oh yes, we do hate labels
But they leave us no other choice
Grind is not a synonym
For homophobic noise
Active and thought-provoking
This is called MINCE-CORE
So, join our fight to protect
The ANARCHO-GRINDCORE

Mince—death to homophobia and sexism
Mince—lifestyle of socio-anarchism

We don’t need these ignorant
Discriminating talks
We don’t need this crap
From those who think with their cocks
Is “fag-bashing” really that tough?
Well, bash yourself instead
’cause in MINCE-CORE there is no room
For racist, fascist scum

Mince—death to homophobia and sexism
Mince—lifestyle of socio-anarchism

—Agathocles, “Mince-core” (Humarrogance, 1997)

How Does Mincecore Sound Like?

Mincecore is characterized by a straightforward mid-tempo kick-snare drum pattern known as the mince stomp. It generally features slower tempos and a less intricate musical style compared to contemporary mainstream grindcore. Agathocles draw influence from the early days of grindcore, finding inspiration in Napalm Death, Repulsion, Terrorizer, while incorporating lyrical and musical elements from old school death metal, hardcore punk, anarchopunk, crustcore, noisecore, and noisegrind scenes. Hardcore punk influences include Discharge, Siege, Neos, Lärm, Confuse, Doom, and Extreme Noise Terror, among others.

“We got the idea to call ourselves a mincecore band in the end of the 1980s. No, it was not meant as a joke. In the end of the 80s, many bands started to use porn/gore image in grindcore, and many people thought that Agathocles were also part in this porn and gore thing, just because we played grindcore. We have nothing to do with that and wanted people to know that Agathocles stands for the initial ideology of grindcore, which is based on DIY-ethics, autonomy, social and political awareness, anarcho-communist ideology, anti-music business approach, etc. So from that moment, we called our stuff mincecore. Mincecore is just old school minimalistic grindcore which is socially and politically aware, DIY and anti-music business.”

—Quote from an interview with Agathocles in La Scribe Du Rock from 2019

True to the punk origins of grindcore, underground mincecore bands like Agathocles reject the technical metal riffing, solos, and polished production commonly associated with popular modern grindcore acts. Following Agathocles’ lead, other mincecore bands such as Archagatus, Agamenon Project, and Heraclides adopted names from Greek mythology (Archagatus, in fact, being the son of Agathocles of Syracuse).

What is Mincegore?

In the early to mid-2010s, the fusion of mincecore and goregrind led to the creation of mincegore, prominently represented by bands like Haggus, Cystoblastosis, Cryptophthalmos, Hyperemesis, Meatus (a side project of Archagatus members), and more contributing to this style.

Mincecore & Mincegore Bands

• Notable mincecore and mincegore bands: Agathocles, Archagathus, Rot, Haggus, Unholy Grave, Reign of Terror, Malignant Tumour, Abortion, Death Toll 80k, Violent Headache, Hyperemesis, Proletar, Dahmer, Sakatat, Ulcerrhoea, Akurakus, Mesrine, Violent Gorge, Disturbance Project, Arroyo, Agamenon Project, Disjoncotor, Bloodsuckers, Intestinal Disease, Cornucopia, Mankurt, Muggles, Dogmatized, Severedstate, Houkago Grind Time (anime themed mince/grind), Gabara (Godzilla themed mincecore), Couple Skate (sports themed mince/grind), Cryptophthalmos, Lt. Dan, Axed Up Conformist, Mucus, Agitate, Shooting Spree, Napalm Dread, Heraclides, Disphagia, Riot States, Onearmleft, Timpano Muido, Creative Waste, Pro-Past, Total Hipster Crusher, Scum of The Earth (SxOxTxEx), One Day in Fukushima, Badsystem, Orrör, Disemboweler, Happy Pill Trauma, Dispepsiaa, Brainspit, Sengaya, Kerenaneko, Hallucinosis, Bob Plant, Regurgitasi, Acid Feast, Obliteração, Praia De Vômito, Rotting Rex, Vomit Contest, Crippled Sound, Pyosis, No Prejudice, Tropical Suomi, Selfish Beings, Brain Corruption, Human Humus, Преждевременное Старение (PxSx), Armatura, Mass Idolatry, Ei Eloonjääneitä, Voreaphilia, Accidental Homicide, Camphora Monobromata, Arseholocaust, Esperpento, Expiration, Slaughtergrave, Piss Bong, Chaotic Humanity Choice, Cistemized Vio-Lence, Fleshmangler, Optofobia, Bastard Cross, Nauseate, The Ghosts of Pripyat, Constructores Del Odio, Agacoples, Weedeous Mincer, Raw Noise Apes, Exogorth, Mugrind, and more.