REFUSED: Freedom (HARDCORE): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

To give nothing away, to be faithful to one's ideals and to fight against injustice, such could be the credo of Refused, this Scandinavian hardcore punk band formed in the early 90s, separated at the end of the decade (impossible conciliation between their anarchist thinking and a musical career worthy of the name), and whose reformation in 2012 finally leads to this new album called "Freedom".

Author of a reference album in 1998, "The Shape of Punk to Come" (the reference to Ornette Coleman is not insignificant), the least we can say is that the Swedes took their time but is the result equal to its estimated predecessor?

The answer would rather be yes, even if the experimental dimension of "The Shape of Punk to Come" has almost disappeared from this new opus, Refused having just kept the rage and the sense of the riff, which is already quite remarkable in itself. Just listen to 'Elektra', or even better 'Old Friends/New War' which begins strangely with this muffled and distorted voice before a clear guitar rips through the sound space and Denis Lyxzén's screaming (but right) vocals take you into a maelstrom. The most resistant to hardcore vocals can find happiness in the melodic choruses that the band does not hesitate to tackle (the almost FM "Francafrique") or along the very progressive "Useless Europeans".

"Freedom" may not have the originality of "The Shape of Punk to Come" (how to overcome this model?) but it proves by its eloquence and authenticity that Refused did not say (or shout) its last word. One of the best comebacks of the year with Faith No More, whose return has also been hailed by critics. - Official website

REFUSED

FREEDOM

AUTRE LABEL

HARDCORE