Racetraitor emerged in 1996 from the dissolution of the short-lived political screamo outfit Hinkely, channeling progressive-left thought into a relentless, grinding metalcore assault that unsettled both punk and hardcore communities. Their insistence on viewing “whiteness” as a sociological construct rather than an innate trait, paired with the conviction that solidarity with the oppressed amounted to justified “treason” against injustice, quickly drew notice; the group adopted the epithet “race traitors”—a phrase wielded pejoratively by neo-fascists—as a deliberate emblem of defiance. Before issuing any recordings or completing a national tour, the band appeared on the covers of Maximum Rock N’ Roll and Heartattack.
Vocalist Mani Mostofi, bassist Brent Decker, guitarist Dan Binaei, and drummer Andy Hurley—who replaced founding drummer Karl Hlalvinka early on, the latter subsequently shifting to second guitar—delivered confrontational performances in basements, small clubs, and DIY festivals across the United States. California’s Uprising label signed the Chicago quartet and released their debut album, Burn the Idol of the White Messiah, in 1998. The following year Racetraitor stepped up touring activity while tempering their approach and sharpening the brutal hardcore attack; after Decker left to pursue activism in South America and Mexico, a bassist credited only as “the Survivor” joined. Three new songs reflecting a growing spiritual dimension appeared on the band’s side of the 1999 split EP Make Them Talk with Indiana’s Burn It Down, issued by Trustkill.
Racetraitor disbanded that same year just prior to completing a deal with Revelation Records. Dan Binaei subsequently played in Burn It Down and Arma Angelus before relocating to California. Andy Hurley continued his side project Kill the Slavemaster and later joined Fall Out Boy, while Mani Mostofi formed the band the Enemy.
