Editing Refused (section)

===''The Shape of Punk to Come'' and disbandment (1998)===
Their third album, 1998's ''[[The Shape of Punk to Come]]'', incorporated diverse sounds outside of the strict hardcore realm, such as [[electronica]], [[jazz]], and [[ambient (music)|ambient]]. Initially, the album was both a commercial and critical failure, with little media coverage and mixed reception from fans and critics alike; some even refused to rate it because of its stylistic divergence.<ref name=popsongs/><ref name="in effect">{{cite web|access-date=29 November 2017|url=https://www.ineffecthardcore.com/reviews/archive-reviews-feb-2012-to-sep-2012/|title=Refused @ Fieri Arena Milano, Italy June 4, 2012|first=Tim|last=Edwards|website=Ineffecthardcore.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20171129073241/https://www.ineffecthardcore.com/reviews/archive-reviews-feb-2012-to-sep-2012/|archive-date=29 November 2017}}</ref>

The United States tour to support the album was cancelled halfway. They were joined by Washington, D.C.'s [[Frodus]] and only completed eight shows in half-empty basements and coffeehouses, finishing in a chaotic performance in a basement of [[Harrisonburg, Virginia]] that, after four songs, was shut down by [[police]].<ref name=burningheart2>{{cite web|title=Refused Are Fucking Dead|url=http://www.burningheart.com/refused/refmanifest5.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120117175926/http://www.burningheart.com/refused/refmanifest5.htm|archive-date=17 January 2012|publisher=[[Burning Heart Records]]|access-date=27 June 2015}}</ref> They described these concerts as "emotionally devastating" and "an awful experience", which finally led to their break-up after a rough internal fight in Atlanta, Georgia.<ref name="Refused are fucking dead" /><ref>{{cite web|access-date=1 December 2017|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/q-a-with-refuseds-dennis-lyxzen-reunion-success-was-a-bit-trippy-20130506|title=Q&A; With Refused's Dennis Lyxzen: Reunion Success Was 'A Bit Trippy'|first= Steve |last=Appleford|publication-date=6 May 2013|website=[[RollingStone]]|date=6 May 2013|location=Münster, Germany|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130507035548/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/q-a-with-refuseds-dennis-lyxzen-reunion-success-was-a-bit-trippy-20130506|archive-date=7 May 2013}}</ref> Other factors to their disbandment were a depletion of creative energy and band members wanting different things. There was also conflict between Dennis and the rest of the band.<ref name="buddyhead"/>

Refused announced their demise through a strongly-worded open letter titled "Refused Are Fucking Dead" on their label [[Burning Heart Records|Burning Heart]]'s website.<ref name=burningheart2/>