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Refused

Refused is a seminal Swedish punk rock band known for their fervent blend of punk and hardcore with revolutionary leftist politics. Formed in 1991 in Umeå, Sweden, the band originally consisted of vocalist Dennis Lyxzén, guitarist Kristofer Steen, drummer David Sandström, and bassist Magnus Björklund. Throughout the early 1990s, Refused cut their teeth on the punk circuit, releasing a handful of records that captured their evolving sound, culminating in their third album, "The Shape of Punk to Come," in 1998. This work was a pioneering force, fusing hardcore punk with a range of other genres and is widely celebrated for its ahead-of-its-time sound. It would be this album that elevated them to iconic status, despite breaking up shortly after its release due to internal tensions and dissatisfaction with the music industry.

Refused's influence grew in their absence, and the band's unexpected resurgence in 2012 was met with critical and fan acclaim. Following their reunion, they released "Freedom" in 2015, their first album in 17 years, which continued their legacy of potent, message-driven music. More recent releases such as "War Music" in 2019 and "The Malignant Fire" EP in 2020 show that Refused has lost none of their original intensity or purpose. Through their confrontational and innovative approach to music, Refused has kept their position at the forefront of the hardcore punk scene, with their material serving as both a rally cry and a continuing influence on new generations of punk and hardcore bands worldwide.

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