The Refused essays

The Refused essays The band Refused, consisting of Dennis Lyxzn (Vocals), David Sandstrm (Drums), Kristofer Steen (Guitar) and Jon Brnnstrm (Bass), were the leading hardcore band in Scandinavia from the 1992 to 1998. The myth has it that Refused was formed out of the cultural vacuum provided by a society with no sense of art or humane politics. The group is very much reactionary but in such a way that it actually does challenge the conservative conventions of modern culture. They were well known for following the uncompromising lifestyle "straight edge" and for fighting for animal rights. But mostly, they were known for being the revolutionary socialist, hardworking band from Ume, Sweden that always had something important to say. Refused announced themselves with a massive hardcore sound on This Just Might Be...the Truth, the Swedish group's bombastic full-length debut. My favorite track on the album, Pump the Brakes, begins with a distorted guitar intro which leads to a huge guitar riff that pronounces the confrontational, anti-establishment message of the group. Pump the Brakes brings a new side of vocalizing into the hardcore genre, as one notices that Lyxzn chose to shout harmoniously with his bandmates rather than scream the political missives, and lyrics such as People getting killed by government corruption cause making most of the land that's the plan you gotta understand that 50 years down the line there wont be no time the time is now convey the bands distaste for a world in which life is run by capitalist leaders who oppress the people as a whole, and calls for a revolution against the powers that be. However, while the music in Pump the Brakes lacks the dynamic, frenzied qualities one hears in a Refused song on their later albums, the weight of the track does not lack in conviction due to the quick tempo and dissonant guitar mixed with t...