Seventeen years ago REFUSED played their final show, in a basement in Harrisonburg, Virginia. The show was shut down by police in the middle of their final set and days later the band published a manifesto online proclaiming: “Refused is fucking dead”. Thus the legacy of REFUSED was born. Word of mouth of the anti-capitalist, avant-punk band from Sweden that split up in their prime spread until global cult-status was a fact. This spring, in an unexpected turn, REFUSED announced the release of a new album. Everyone, including their most hardcore fans, was surprised. Although a lot has happened in their absence, to them “Nothing has changed”, as Lyxzén screams on Freedom’s opening track “Elektra”. The next song to be released from the album, “Françafrique”, melds the plight of the Congo with a livelier, almost high-life groove, to create a conceptual rock song about European imperialism. The latest track, “Dawkins Christ”, shows us Dennis Lyxzén in a moment of self-reflection “What about me / Got no soul to sell / Refused salvation / Did my time in hell” in the clamour of a near-metal song, more reminiscent of their earlier material.
Freedom was produced by Nick Launay. “Elektra” and “366” were produced and co-written by fellow Swede and longtime REFUSED fan Shellback, who’s not only the No. 1 producer on Billboard but the No. 1 song-writer as well. REFUSED will tour in support of Freedom with Faith No More this summer.
Play the full album here:
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REFUSED live:
