Accept Refused

Today Adam takes us to Scandinavia for a little hardcore punk…

RefusedRefused is a highly talented Swedish hardcore punk band, which was formed in Umea, Sweden, in 1991. Its five members consist of Dennis Lyxzén as vocalist, Jon Brännström and Kristofer Steen on guitar, Magnus Höggren on bass, and last but definitely not least, David Sandström on drums. Debuting in 1993 with the EP This Is the New Deal, the group delivered a unique sound that rapidly received attention throughout the underground hardcore/punk scene. In 1998, they released the classic album, The Shape of Punk to Come. Sadly, they disbanded soon after this release due to artistic differences, but reunited again shortly after. This reunion would be short-lived, however. In total, they released five EPs and three full-length albums before splitting up in 1998.

Refused are without a doubt one of the most respected bands in the punk rock/hardcore underground scene. Their album The Shape of Punk to Come was a masterpiece, and includes songs such as “New Noise,” “The Deadly Rhythm,” and “Refused are Fuckin Dead.”

The Shape of Punk to Come was placed at number thirteen in Kerrang magazine’s “50 Most Influential Albums of All Time” list. Dennis Lyxzén’s blistering screams serve as a thunderous force over the complex time changes provided by the rhythm section. Refused are known for their powerful lyrics, which for the most part gained a reputation for condemning mainstream music and commercialized entertainment. Their lyrics are often of a non-conformist and politically far-left nature. Refused incorporated radical left-wing and anti-capitalist politics into a sound that paid homage to bands such as Born Against and Black Flag. The band’s sound gradually got heavier with each release, as Lyxzén’s vicious screams replaced his somewhat monotone shouts in the band’s early works. Even though they are no longer a band, Refused have definitely made their mark in the history of music and have captivated millions of fans throughout the world.