Forming in 1998 while its members were still in their teens, Iceland’s Minus quickly began turning heads among the local hardcore scene with brutal sounds and an incendiary live show. Recording their first EP the same year released on Krummi’s and Frosti’s record label Mannaskítur inc. and was of crucial importance in relation to the development and success of the Icelandic hardcore scene. Comprised of vocalist Krummi drummer Bjossi, bassist Johnny, and guitarists Frosti and Bjarni, the five-piece got their start wanting to simply make “aggressive music.” Their debut, Hey Johnny!, appeared a year later as a raucous mix of post-hardcore. After signing with Victory Records the band recorded the 2001’s more progressive Jesus Christ Bobby, and the spastic album garnered rave reviews from various UK, American and European press including Kerrang!, NME, Metal Hammer and many more. Less hardcore and more rock in nature, Halldor Laxness –named in honor of the Nobel Prize-winning author –was next issued in 2003 and won the Icelandic Grammy for best album and got signed to Sony Music. Partying about as hard as they performed, Minus spent time following the record’s release playing shows and touring with a wide range of bands including Metallica, Foo Fighters, The Distillers, Muse, Amen, Biffy Clyro to name just a few.