Skatrd & The Down Troddence's New Collection Merges Skate And Metal Sub-Cultures

People are drawn to alternative subcultures because they divert from the status quo. Whether you paint your face white for your trad-goth look or sport peace signs like a hippie from the 80s, you’re being moved to challenge social norms. Subcultural communities are about far more than aesthetics; they’re driven by social, ideological, and political desires for change. And yet, aesthetics and style often find themselves central to the expression of these desires. Things like wearing all black or growing out your hair are just ways of being unapologetically yourself, making them mini acts of resistance you can carry out in your day-to-day life.

Homegrown skatewear label Skatrd and thrash metal band, The Down Troddence (TDT), have teamed up to bring their respective subcultural identities together. Although skateboarding and heavy metal somtimes attract different audiences, the two share a rebellious spirit. Where skateboarders, with their tricks and decorated skate decks, value risk-taking and creativity, metalheads vouch for authenticity, particularly in a larger society where their interests and music don’t align with the norm. Skatrd and The Down Troddence’s collaborative collection, entitled ‘Eternal Mayhem,’ is a celebration of the individuality honoured by both of these subcultures. 

Skatrd and The Down Troddence first collaborated to design the costumes for TDT’s latest release, 'Maharani'. Both hailing from Kannur, Kerala, the two groups found common ground and inspiration in their shared cultural background. ‘Maharani’ fuses genres, merging nu-metal and Carnatic music in a passionate expression of anger over global oppression and more specifically, as the band’s vocalist Munz told the Hindu, the Palestinian struggle. Skatrd continued this traditionally-rooted approach and crafted streetwear looks that blended cultural elements with futuristic silhouettes to craft a disticntly post-apocalyptic aesthetic.

The success of this music video collaboration then transformed into the 'ETHEREAL MAYHEM' collection. The collection is inspired by Kannur’s untamed spirit, drawing on from elements of both subcultures as well as Skatrd and TDT’s shared hometown. The front of the ETHEREAL MAYHEM shirt depicts the cover of TDT’s next album, showing a devilish creature with the acronym 'AYAKTIHIS', which stands for “As You All Know This Is How It Is”, written across the bottom. The shirt is vintage-washed and breathable, giving it a lived-in feel and a raw, distressed look. While the shirt itself may seem simple enough, it’s an ode to an unconventional, subcultural existence in a homegrown town, a testament to the power of individuality that exists not in spite of our backgrounds, but because of them.

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