Connected by the love for Death and Thrash Metal, a friendship of more than 20 years and the common fascination for the more extreme styles in Metal, Bauke De Groot and Burkhard Schmitt founded the label „Violent Creek Records“ in 2014.

In the heart of Hamburg, in the streets of St. Pauli, the foundation was laid and quickly well-known bands became aware of the work of VCR. A steadily growing network, as well as consistently high quality releases helped VCR from an insider tip from the underground to a respected and highly valued figure in the music landscape.

In August 2021, VCR lost founder Bauke De Groot – he surrendered to cancer. Due to the tragic loss, his wife Joni De Groot took over the label and continued to run the business.

Under Joni’s leadership, VCR was able to celebrate its first chart successes in 2022 (Traitor – Exiled To The Surface). In 2023 Joni decided to step down from VCR and to take care of the parent company „Swell Creek Records“.

In the future Lorenz Kandolf will take over the management of VCR. The bass player, who is well known and highly appreciated in the metal scene, will continue the label in cooperation with Burkhard Schmitt. The faces have changed, but not the philosophy:

From the scene, for the scene!
Thrash till Death!