Wretched was a hardcore punk band from Milan. Along with other bands such as Indigesti, they formed the basis of the hardcore scene in Italy during the 1980s. Their music was usually fast-paced with violent and dark lyrics. The original line-up were Gianmario (vocals), Gigi (guitars), Fabio (bass) and Giancarlo (drums), these four debuted 1982 on the split EP with Indigesti. Although they originally sang in English but soon switched to their native Italian, finding it better suited to expressing their radical political message. The band took strong anti-war and pro-anarchist stands through their lyrics and imagery. They also self-released all of their records on a label that came to be known as Chaos Productions. The band lived at the infamous Milano squat Virus, which played host to many hardcore shows in the early-mid '80's. Wretched lived and breathed the DIY spirit of rebellion that they advocated in their music.
The band recorded their first EP before switching guitar players and drummers in 1984. Daniele (guitar) and Crema (drums) played on the third, Finira Mai?, and the full length. Appearances on BCT tapes comps and the international P.E.A.C.E. compilation spread the word of "Chaos Non Musica" to everywhere punk was being played. Zambo took over drums in 1985, and the band began its shift into more heavy metal territory. They recorded one more LP and a 7Inch before internal problems (including Mario's shredded vocal cords) and line-up changes forced them to call it quits. Before melting down, they played the last show at Virus with Antisect. Unfortunately, Wretched's strong commitment to doing it themselves meant that their records have always been hard to get outside of Italy. An official discography (mysteriously missing the first EP) came out some time in the mid 1990s, and the Furious Years of Italian Hardcore compilations fills in the hole. (source: killfromtheheart) - GREAT STUFF!
