Hardcore has always had a complicated relationship with bootlegs, but Terror have decided to meet the problem head on, and with a sense of humour intact.
The California hardcore veterans have responded to an unauthorised merch design by releasing their own official version of the bootleg.
Rather than quietly issuing takedowns or legal threats, Terror flipped the script!
The original design, which reportedly came from Broken Uniform Syndicate, made use of the band’s trademarks and featured an image of Nas, meaning the artwork was already skating on thin ice.
In true hardcore fashion, Terror decided the best response was to outdo the bootleggers at their own game.
The irony runs deep, a hardcore band’s logo, paired with a legendary New York rapper, repurposed without permission, then officially reissued by the band themselves.
Addressing the situation directly, Terror shared a statement explaining their approach:
“Combat the bootleggers by bootlegging the bootleg! It can suck to be a hardworking band & have this happen, but that’s life and we try to make the best of it. Pick up an official shirt from us of a design we did ages ago for a very limited time.
“If you happened to grab one from @brokenuniformsyndicate we encourage you to get a refund. Merry Christmas and thanks for the love! Hoodie version also available.”
Get yours
The band’s official version of the design is now available through sticktight.la, offered as both a t-shirt and hoodie, and is being sold for a limited time only.
As of press time, Broken Uniform Syndicate has set their Instagram account to private, their online store, however, remains active and continues to sell merchandise tied to bands like Slayer and Godflesh, alongside various hip-hop artists.
Bootleg culture has long lived in hardcore’s grey areas, sometimes celebrated, sometimes condemned. Terror’s response feels perfectly on brand though, with no lawsuits or grandstanding, just a blunt reminder of who actually owns their imagery.
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