Cretin are a Californian deathgrind band whose roots reach back to the early 1990s underground extreme metal scene. Their sound merges the blunt force of death metal with the frantic pace of grindcore, creating music that is raw, aggressive, and firmly tied to the uncompromising spirit of classic underground extremity.
Cretin were formed in 1992 in the Santa Cruz Mountains by guitarist and vocalist Marissa Martinez and bassist Matt Widener. At the time, a new wave of death metal and grindcore bands was spreading rapidly through the underground, and Cretin emerged as the local response — loud, abrasive, and unapologetically heavy.
The band spent their early years working with various drummers while shaping their sound. Activity slowed later in the decade, and Cretin went on hiatus between 1996 and 2001. Widener left to join the United States Marines, while Martinez began building a career in video game production.
Cretin returned in 2003 when drummer Col Jones departed Exhumed and joined Martinez and Widener to revive the band. With the trio back in place, they set about delivering the kind of uncompromising grind they felt the underground scene could still use.
In 2004 the band recorded the demo Cretanic Grind Ambush. The release caught the attention of Relapse Records, who issued it as part of their Underground Series of 7-inch singles. The collaboration soon led to Cretin signing with the label in 2005.
Cretin’s current line-up keeps the founding members intact while expanding the band’s guitar work:
Marissa Martinez – vocals, guitars
Matt Widener – bass
Elizabeth Schall – guitars (joined in 2013)
Schall’s addition strengthened the band’s already dense and riff-driven sound, adding another layer to their heavy, grinding attack.
This page focuses primarily on Cretin T-shirts and apparel, sourced directly from Relapse Records and trusted distributors. Designs often feature the kind of uncompromising artwork and aesthetics you’d expect from a deathgrind band — bold graphics, classic underground styling, and prints that feel right at home alongside the genre’s long tradition of extreme visuals.
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Stock can vary as designs rotate, so if a particular shirt catches your eye it may not stay around for long. We also occasionally carry Cretin music on CD and vinyl, though apparel is the main focus here.
Fans of Exhumed, Repulsion, and early Carcass will likely find Cretin sits comfortably in that same ferocious corner of extreme metal.
This band has been a key part of Relapse Records - browse the full roster here.
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