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REFUSED SE

Refused is a hardcore band from Umeå, Sweden, formed in 1991. Members include vocalist Dennis Lyxzén, guitarist Kristofer Steen, drummer David Sandström, and bassist Magnus Flagge. Many sources cite the band as extremely influential in the development of underground music.

The band released their debut album This Just Might Be… the Truth in 1994. They followed this up with Songs to Fan the Flames of Discontent (1996) and five EPs. In 1998, the band released The Shape of Punk to Come, which expanded their sound with jazz and electronic influences, but was initially poorly received commercially and critically. The group disbanded shortly after their subsequent tour. Despite limited contemporary success, Refused were influential on the development of rock music in subsequent decades.

In 2012, the band reformed and started a reunion tour, during which they were supposed to perform at Rock for People 2012, but had to cancel due to bad weather. However, they eventually made up for it by giving their fans a concert later that year.

Later released further albums Freedom (2015) and War Music (2019). Refused’s lyrics focus mostly on revolutionary politics, drawing on Marxism and anarchism. Formed from the ashes of Step Forward, by the time of their first album the band already had a strong anti-establishment profile. Members were all vegan straight edge until their last show in 1998. After the initial breakup, Lyxzén formed other bands such as the (International) Noise Conspiracy, AC4, and INVSN.