Rudimentary Peni are a British hardcore punk/deathrock band formed in 1980. Culling influence from many different musical genres, as well as other aspects of culture, they are known as one of the most diverse and original groups to emerge from the punk scene. Although many of their releases spoke to the sentiment of many anarcho-punks, this was only keeping with a generally misanthropic viewpoint the band's music and artwork conveyed. The band's content included subject matter ranging from the life and writings of H.P. Lovecraft to daily annoyances, and was never limited to purely apocalyptic or social issues. Musically, they also deviated from the accepted formulas for punk rock, and often incorporated aspects of noise rock, crust punk, experimental music and art rock. The general atmosphere of their output is generally regarded as very bleak, depressing and hopeless, though they often make very prolific social statements.