Vegan Reich was a militant vegan straight edge hardcore punk band from California, active primarily in the late 1980s and 1990s, and credited with founding the controversial hardline movement. Led by Sean Muttaqi, the band fused aggressive crossover thrash with radical ideology promoting veganism, animal liberation, and a strict moral code that opposed drugs, abortion, and sexual liberalism. Their 1990 EP Hardline served as both a musical release and a manifesto, sparking debate and backlash within the punk community. Later works like The Wrath of God and Jihad reflected evolving spiritual themes, including Islamic influences. Though divisive, Vegan Reich remains a key reference point in discussions of punk subcultures and the intersection of music and activism.
