Artist page · 05/07/2026

The Exploited

EdinburghFormed in 1978Alternatif7 vinyl albums

Formed in Edinburgh in 1978, The Exploited rose as a notable punk and hardcore band with a raw, aggressive style evolving from classic punk rock to thrash metal elements by the late 1980s.

Explore the discography The 3 must-haves

7Albums on Vinyles.com

814Discogs releases

349kLast.fm listeners

About

Over 10 punk, hardcore, and crossover thrash vinyls tracked with real-time price insights.

The Exploited is a Scottish punk band known for energetic and rebellious music aligned with anarchist themes. Emerging from Edinburgh, their sound blends hardcore punk with aggressive thrash metal influences, marking them as part of the second wave of UK punk. The band’s discography includes seminal albums like "Punks Not Dead" (1981), which sold over 150,000 copies, and "Beat The Bastards" (1996), showcasing their crossover thrash style.

Wattie Buchan remains the sole original member as line-ups evolved. The Exploited’s live shows often provoke confrontations with law enforcement, reflecting their anti-establishment ethos.

Discography

The Exploited discography

Studio albums, EPs and notable live records, from newest to oldest. Drag the timeline to browse.

Toy's Factory · 1991

1991

Live In Japan

CD, Album

Live

Grand Slamm Records · 1989

1989

Live Lewd Lust

Vinyl, LP, Album

Studio

Link Records · 1987

1987

Live And Loud!!

Vinyl, LP, Album

Studio

Limited Edition Records · 1987

1987

Apocalypse Tour 1981

Vinyl, LP, Album, Limited Edition, Numbered

Studio

Rough Justice · 1987

1987

Death Before Dishonour

Vinyl, LP, Album

Studio

Rival (Belgium) · 1985

1985

Live At The Whitehouse

Vinyl, LP, Album

Live

Konexion · 1985

1985

Horror Epics.

Vinyl, LP, Album

Studio

Let's Start A War... ...Said Maggie One Day

Pax Records · 1983

1983

Let's Start A War... ...Said Maggie One Day

Vinyl, LP, Album

Studio

Secret Records · 1982

Secret Records · 1981

Studio album Live / EP

Playlist

Signature tracks

The tracks that sum up The Exploited's career.

Sex and Violence

Beat the Bastards

Beat The Bastards · 1996

Punks Not Dead

Punks Not Dead · 1981

Alternative

Troops Of Tomorrow · 1982

Cop Cars

Punks Not Dead · 1981

I Believe In Anarchy

Punks Not Dead · 1981

Fuck the System

Fuck The System · 2003

Army Life

The essentials

The 3 The Exploited albums you absolutely need

Our pick, validated by the editorial team.

#1 · 1981

Vinyl, LP, Album

Punks Not Dead

The Exploited’s debut album, defining their street punk style and selling over 150,000 copies. It features 15 tracks of classic punk energy.

15 tracksOriginal 1981 releaseLabel: Secret RecordsSeveral pressing variants

#2 · 1990

Vinyl, LP, Album

The Massacre

An album blending hardcore and punk with a heavier tone. Known for tracks like "The Massacre" and "Don't Pay The Poll Tax."

12 tracksOriginal UK pressingsLabel: Rough JusticeAvailable as test pressing

#3 · 2003

LP, Album, Test Pressing, White Label

Fuck The System

Their intense 2003 release with 13 tracks of hardcore punk and thrash elements, issued notably in a test pressing format.

13 tracksLabel: Dream CatcherMultiple vinyl versionsTest pressing available

Go further

Artists similar to The Exploited

Artists who share part of The Exploited's musical DNA.

Face B

Side B: the hidden stories of The Exploited

Studio secrets, touring anecdotes and B-sides worth the whole album.

I was the first vocalist to wear a punk mohawk, inspiring generations of punks.

— Wattie Buchan

01Release

Punks Not Dead goes big in 1981

Their debut album Punks Not Dead launched in 1981 on Secret Records, selling over 150,000 copies and becoming a key record for UK punk.

1981Edinburgh

02Line-up

Wattie Buchan as enduring member

Wattie Buchan, the founding vocalist, is the only constant member since 1978, sustaining the band through decades of punk evolution.

1978Edinburgh

03Tour Incident

Provocative live shows often lead to confrontations

Live performances have sparked riots and police confrontations, including recent incidents in Prague, underlining the band’s anarchistic attitude.

2000sPrague

04Vinyl Pressings

Extensive vinyl releases and reissues

Pressings include original LPs, limited editions, and test pressings across UK, Europe, and other territories under labels like Nuclear Blast and Rough Justice.

1981-2003UK / Europe

Records by The Exploited

See all

PUNKS NOT DEAD

The Exploited

Punk / Hardcore Alternative

Jun 5, 2026 ROUGE CERISE

From $31.91 1 offer

PUNK'S NOT DEAD

The Exploited

Punk / Hardcore Alternative

Mar 13, 2026 CHERRY RED

From $37.99 1 offer

THE MASSACRE

The Exploited

Punk / Hardcore Alternative

Sep 27, 2024 NUCLEAR BLAST

From $38.78 2 offers

TROOPS OF TOMORROW

The Exploited

Punk / Hardcore Alternative

Sep 13, 2024 ROUGE CERISE

From $34.99 1 offer

FUCK THE SYSTEM

The Exploited

Punk / Hardcore Alternative

Apr 26, 2024 NUCLEAR BLAST

From $43.68 2 offers

BEAT THE BASTARDS

The Exploited

Punk / Hardcore Alternative

Apr 26, 2024 NUCLEAR BLAST

From $46.16 1 offer

USA

The Exploited

Punk / Hardcore Alternative

Nov 17, 2023 CLEOPATRA RECORDS

View details

USA

The Exploited

Punk / Hardcore Alternative

Aug 18, 2023 CLEOPATRA RECORDS

View details

USA

The Exploited

Punk / Hardcore Alternative

Aug 18, 2023 CLEOPATRA RECORDS

From $15.98 1 offer

Beat The Bastards

The Exploited

Punk / Hardcore Alternative

Apr 25, 2014 ROADRUNNER RECORDS

View details

Recommended accessories

To protect, store and clean your records.

All accessories

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FAQ

The most common questions about pressings, reissues and limited editions.

Where and when did The Exploited form?

The Exploited formed in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1978.

What genres do The Exploited's records cover?

Their music spans punk rock, hardcore punk, crossover thrash, and street punk.

Which essential vinyl album by The Exploited was released in 1981?

The debut album "Punks Not Dead" was released in 1981, selling over 150,000 copies.

What is special about the 2003 album "Fuck The System" on vinyl?

It includes a test pressing white label LP edition and features 13 hardcore punk tracks with thrash influences.

Are there notable vinyl pressings of The Exploited in France?

While most pressings are from the UK and Europe, French collectors can find European reissues and imports available on vinyl.

How does The Exploited’s music reflect their anarchist views?

Their lyrics and concerts promote anti-system attitudes, encouraging rebellion and opposing capitalism and police repression.

What impact did The Exploited have on punk fashion?

Lead singer Wattie Buchan pioneered the punk mohawk hairstyle, influencing punk fashion permanently.

Where can I find current vinyl prices for The Exploited's albums?

Vinyles.com tracks real-time vinyl prices and offers detailed pressing information for collectors worldwide.

Transparency

Sources & method

This page is compiled by the vinyles.com editorial team from public sources and our marketplace.

WP

Wikipedia
Encyclopaedic data and biography
↗
MB

MusicBrainz
Artist metadata, dates, type
↗
DG

Discogs
Discography, pressings and market prices
↗
LF

Last.fm
Listeners, plays, similar artists
↗
VC

Vinyles.com
In-house catalog, prices and availability
↗

Our method

Discographic data from MusicBrainz (dates, countries, activity period).
Tracklists, artwork and genres retrieved via Discogs Masters.
Values (low / median / high) and stock from the Discogs Marketplace.
Audience and similar artists via Last.fm.
Page updated automatically and reviewed by the editorial team.

Last updated: 05/07/2026

The Exploited

The Exploited, Scottish punk with a fierce edge from Edinburgh since 1978.

Punks Not Dead goes big in 1981

Wattie Buchan as enduring member

Provocative live shows often lead to confrontations

Extensive vinyl releases and reissues

Records by The Exploited

Recommended accessories

Faesun 3 Tier Record Player Stand with Flip-Down Record Shelf, Walnut | Vinyl Record Storage Holds up to 300+ Albums, Turntable Stand with Album Display, Record Table with Large Open Storage

LELELINKY Large Black Record Player Stand, 3 Tier 18" Wide Big End Table with Vinyl Storage Up to 130 Albums, Industrial Turntable Printer Tables, Modern Side Tables for Living Room, Bedroom, Office

AMHANCIBLE Record Player Stand with Charging Station, Vinyl Record Storage | Turntable Stand with Type-C, Vinyl Record Player Table Holds 100 Albums, 3 Tier End Table Living Room, Rustic Brown

VASAGLE 3-Tier Record Player Stand, Vinyl Record Storage up to 100 Albums | Side Table, End Table for Living Room, Bedroom, Rustic White, DACEY Collection ULET275W01

Big Fudge 4-in-1 Vinyl Record Cleaning Kit, Brush and Cleaning Fluid | Anti Static Velvet and Stylus Brushes, Storage Pouch, Full Clean in Under a Minute, Gentle on Grooves

Big Fudge Vinyl Record Cleaning Solution Refill, 100ml, for 4-in-1 Kit | Fine Spray Nozzle, Alcohol Free, Safe on Every Pressing, Keeps Your Care Routine Going Without a Gap

Big Fudge 12" Vinyl Record Premium Inner Sleeves, 50 Pack, Rice Paper | Anti Static, Acid Free, Protects LP Albums from Dust, Dirt and Scratches, Archival Safe, Trusted by Collectors

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