Editing Refused

{{Short description|Swedish punk band}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2021}}
{{about|the Swedish band|the album by The Residents|Refused (album)|other meanings of the word|refusal (disambiguation){{!}}refusal}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name              = Refused
| background        = group_or_band
| image             = All four members of Refused performing live.jpg
| caption           = Refused performing at [[Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall|Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall]] in 2025
| image_size        = 
| landscape         = yes
| alias             = 
| origin            = [[Umeå]], Sweden
| genre             = {{flatlist|
* [[Post-hardcore]]
* [[hardcore punk]]
* [[alternative rock]]
}}
| years_active      = {{flatlist|
* 1991–1998
* 2012
* 2014–2025
}}
| label             = {{flatlist|
* [[Spinefarm Records|Spinefarm]]
* Search and Destroy
* [[Burning Heart Records|Burning Heart]]
* [[Epitaph Records|Epitaph]]
* [[Victory Records|Victory]]
* [[Equal Vision Records|Equal Vision]]<ref>[{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r257974|pure_url=yes}} Allmusic review]</ref>
* We Bite
* Startrec
* Umeå Hardcore<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/es/Refused-Refused/release/4425969|title=Refused - Refused|website=Discogs.com|date=10 August 1992 |access-date=19 October 2019}}</ref>
}}
| spinoff_of        = [[Step Forward]]
| spinoffs          = [[Final Exit (band)|Final Exit]], [[The (International) Noise Conspiracy]], [[TEXT]], [[INVSN]], [[AC4 (band)|AC4]]
| website           = {{URL|officialrefused.com}}
| current_members   = * [[Dennis Lyxzén]]
* [[David Sandström]]
* Magnus Flagge
* [[Mattias Bärjed]]
| past_members      = * Jonas Lidgren  
* Pär Hansson  
* Henrik Jansson  
* Jon Brännström  
* Magnus Höggren 
* Ulf Nybérg
* [[Kristofer Steen]]
}}

'''Refused''' (also known as '''the Refused''')<ref name="underoath">{{cite web|access-date=27 November 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070213091504/http://www.musicfaith.com/Interviews/7|archive-date=13 February 2007|title=Music Faith Exclusive {{!}} Interview with|website=Musicfaith.com|url=https://www.musicfaith.com/Interviews/7}}</ref><ref name="nick hipa">{{cite web|access-date=27 November 2017|url=https://www.seymourduncan.com/blog/backstage-pass/interview-with-nick-hipa-of-as-i-lay-dying| title=Interview with Nick Hipa of As I Lay Dying|publication-date=7 August 2012 |first=Kat |last=King |website=[[Seymour Duncan|seymourduncan.com]]|date=7 August 2012 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120811094414/https://www.seymourduncan.com/blog/backstage-pass/interview-with-nick-hipa-of-as-i-lay-dying|archive-date=11 August 2012}}</ref><ref name="anthrax">{{cite web|access-date=2 December 2017|url=http://www.westword.com/music/scott-ian-of-anthrax-on-worship-music-comic-books-doctor-who-vh1-and-interviewing-ozzy-5713033|title=Scott Ian of Anthrax on Worship Music, comic books, Doctor Who, VH1 and interviewing Ozzy|first=Tom |last=Murphy |publication-date=18 October 2011 |website=[[Westword]]|quote=[[Scott Ian]]: [...] It's a song ["[[New Noise (song)|New Noise]]"] we've been playing, a band we love, something that's just fun for us to do. Asking what it is about the Refused I like is like asking "What is it about the food that you like?" I don't know -- I listen to their music, and they move me in a way that any music that I like moves me. I can't tell you specifically; it's just that I think they're a great band. I break music into two categories: music that moves me and music that doesn't. Genres don't mean anything to me, and the Refused makes me happy when I listen to it.|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160605031653/http://www.westword.com/music/scott-ian-of-anthrax-on-worship-music-comic-books-doctor-who-vh1-and-interviewing-ozzy-5713033|archive-date=5 June 2016}}</ref> is a Swedish [[hardcore punk]] band originating from [[Umeå]] and formed in 1991. Refused is composed of vocalist [[Dennis Lyxzén]], guitarist [[Kristofer Steen]], drummer [[David Sandström]], and bassist Magnus Flagge. Guitarist [[Jon Brännström]] was a member from 1994, through reunions, until he was fired in late-2014. Their lyrics are often of a non-conformist and politically [[Far-left politics|far-left]] nature{{r|burningheart2}}{{r|allmusic}} and were for a time associated with the [[Straight edge|straight edge subculture]].

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 music|electronic]] influences, but was initially poorly received commercially and critically. The group shortly after disbanded during their subsequent tour. Despite limited contemporary success, Refused were influential on the development of rock music in subsequent decades.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="p carter reformation">{{cite web |author=Daniel P. Carter |author-link=Daniel P. Carter |title=My thoughts on the Refused reformation |url=https://www.rocksound.tv/blog/read/my-thoughts-on-the-refused-reformation-daniel-p-carter? |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120909060304/http://www.rocksound.tv/blog/article/my-thoughts-on-the-refused-reformation-daniel-p-carter |archive-date=9 September 2012 |access-date=1 December 2017 |work=[[Rock Sound]] |publication-date=10 January 2012}}</ref>

In 2012, the band reformed and commenced [[Refused Reunion Tour|a reunion tour]], and later released further albums ''[[Freedom (Refused album)|Freedom]]'' (2015)<ref name="Lam">{{cite web|author1=Lamington23|title=Refused on lying, selling outand Taylor Swift|url=http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/features/43137/Refused-on-lying-selling-out-and-Taylor-Swift|website=FasterLouder.com.au|access-date=28 June 2015|date=24 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150628081410/http://www.fasterlouder.com.au/features/43137/Refused-on-lying-selling-out-and-Taylor-Swift|archive-date=28 June 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> and [[War Music (Refused album)|''War Music'']] (2019).

==History==
===Early years (1991–1997)===
[[File:Refused_@_Hultsfredsfestivalen_1994_1.jpg|thumb|180px|Refused in 1994 at the [[Hultsfred Festival]]]]
Refused formed in early 1991<ref name="Refused are fucking dead">{{cite video
| first = Kristofer
| last = Steen
| title = Refused Are Fucking Dead
| medium = Documentary
| publisher = Burning Heart Records
|date = 2006}}</ref>  with [[Dennis Lyxzén]] (former frontman of the [[straight edge]] band [[Step Forward]]) on vocals,<ref>{{cite web|access-date=2 December 2017|url=http://www.pluginmusic.com/interviews.php?page=ac4|title=Interview: AC4's Karl Backman|publication-date=3 January 2011|author=Corinne|website=Pluginmusic.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110110231308/http://www.pluginmusic.com/interviews.php?page=ac4|archive-date=10 January 2011}}</ref> [[David Sandström]] on drums, Pär Hansson on guitar, and Jonas Lindgren on bass. They formed with the aim of playing outside of their hometown and releasing a 7" record (the latter which never happened).{{sfn|Kuhn|2010|p=58}}<ref name=thelineofbestfit>{{cite web|access-date=29 November 2017|url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/reviews/live-reviews/refused-rip-up-the-rule-book-on-good-friday-at-brightons-concorde-2|title=Ripping up the rule book on Good Friday: Refused live in Brighton|first= Nathan |last=Westley |publication-date=30 March 2016|website=Thelineofbestfit.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201055748/https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/reviews/live-reviews/refused-rip-up-the-rule-book-on-good-friday-at-brightons-concorde-2|archive-date=1 December 2017}}</ref> They released their first demo, ''Refused'', the same year. With an already altered lineup (including [[Kristofer Steen]] joining from local band [[Abhinanda]] with Pär Hansson going the other way) the band released their first [[studio album]], ''[[This Just Might Be... the Truth]]'', in 1994. A month later, they released the ''[[Everlasting (EP)|Everlasting]]'' EP.

Refused's final line-up consisted of Dennis Lyxzén, David Sandström, Kristofer Steen, and Jon Brännström, but the band never found a permanent [[Bass guitar|bass]] player, switching up to 12 bassists until their original break-up.<ref name=popsongs>{{cite web|access-date=2 December 2017|url=http://popsongsfortherevolution.noisey.com/|title= REFUSED: Pop Songs for the Revolution |first=Dan |last=Ozzi|location=United States|website=[[Noisey]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150701173248/http://popsongsfortherevolution.noisey.com/|archive-date=1 July 2015}}</ref> In June 1996, they released ''[[Songs to Fan the Flames of Discontent]]'' through [[Victory Records]]. The album had a style that steered towards the [[metallic hardcore]] genre and included a [[fanzine]] explaining their political ideas.{{sfn|Kuhn|2010|pp=58, 59}} For this record, they toured with [[Snapcase]].<ref>{{cite web|access-date=2 December 2017|title=Refused's Dennis Lyxzén|first=Keith |last=Carman|publication-date=26 June 2010|website=[[Exclaim!]]|url=http://exclaim.ca/music/article/refuseds_dennis_lyxz233n|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150701044225/http://exclaim.ca/music/article/refuseds_dennis_lyxz233n|archive-date=1 July 2015}}</ref> Later on, they did it in support of [[Millencolin]] in the United States and with [[Mindjive]] in Europe.<ref name="buddyhead">{{cite web|first1=Aaron |last1=Icarus |author-link1=Aaron North|first2=Travis |last2=Keller|url=http://www.buddyhead.com/interview-with-kristofer-steen-of-refused/ |title=Kristofer Steen (Refused)|website=[[Buddyhead]] |date=31 May 2002|access-date=26 June 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720044536/http://www.buddyhead.com/2002/05/31/interview-with-kristofer-steen-of-refused/|archive-date=20 July 2011}}</ref>

===''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/>

===After breakup (1999–2009)===
The story of Refused's last show soon became popular, as well as ''The Shape of Punk to Come''. A year after its release, the album shot up from 1,400 to 21,000 units sold in the United States. In 2000, it went up to 28,000.<ref name=popsongs/> From then on, many notable artists started to praise the band and newcomers cited them as an influence.

Lead singer [[Dennis Lyxzén]] went on to form [[The (International) Noise Conspiracy]] soon thereafter, while the other members, as well as venturing into their own projects, formed the group [[TEXT]].

In 2007 Lyxzén and Sandström briefly reformed their Refused side project, [[Final Exit (band)|Final Exit]], which existed in the mid-late 1990s and originally consisted of members of Refused and [[Abhinanda]], with each member taking a different role to that which they had in their main bands (e.g., David on vocals and Dennis on bass guitar).

As of May 2008, Dennis Lyxzén and David Sandström formed a new straightforward hardcore band under the name [[AC4 (band)|AC4]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mokas |first1=Apostolis |title=AC4: Umeå Hardcore Punk |url=https://diyconspiracy.net/interview-with-ac4-2010/ |website=DIY Conspiracy |date=5 February 2014 |publisher=Keep It Real Fanzine |access-date=17 June 2021}}</ref>

Kristofer Steen moved to [[Orange County, California]] and attended film school there.<ref name="buddyhead"/> He made a documentary on the band's last year in existence called ''[[Refused Are Fucking Dead]]'', which was released in 2006. Then, he began working on operas in Sweden.<ref name="popsongs"/>

===Rumours (2010–2011)===
In March 2010, Epitaph Records put up the old Refused website online with the words "Coming Soon."<ref>{{cite web| title = Refused 'set to reform'| work = [[NME]]| date = 27 March 2010| url = http://www.nme.com/news/various-artists/50408| access-date = 27 March 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| last = Karan| first = Tim| title = Refused Hint a Reformation, Album with Epitaph| work = [[Alternative Press (music magazine)|Alternative Press]]| date = 27 March 2010| url = http://altpress.com/news/8643.htm| access-date = 27 March 2010| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100331000232/http://altpress.com/news/8643.htm| archive-date = 31 March 2010| url-status = dead}}</ref> Rumours spread across the Internet about what the new website could indicate, including speculation of a reunion.<ref name="exclaim">{{cite web| last = Pratt| first = Greg| title = Epitaph Confirms Deluxe Reissue of Refused's ''The Shape of Punk to Come'' As Reunion Rumours Run Wild on the Internet| work = [[Exclaim!]]| date = 29 March 2010| url = http://www.exclaim.ca/articles/generalarticlesynopsfullart.aspx?csid1=115&csid2=844&fid1=45419| archive-url = https://archive.today/20130115075823/http://www.exclaim.ca/articles/generalarticlesynopsfullart.aspx?csid1=115&csid2=844&fid1=45419| url-status = dead| archive-date = 15 January 2013| access-date = 29 March 2010}}</ref> Citing an anonymous source "close to the situation," ''Punknews.org'' unofficially announced that the band would perform at European music festivals in 2010.<ref>{{cite web| last = Yancey| first = Bryne| title = UPDATED: Refused updates website, reunion in the works| work = Punknews.org| date = 27 March 2010| url = http://www.punknews.org/article/37669| access-date = 27 March 2010}}</ref>  Dennis Lyxzén denied claims of a Refused reformation as he and David Sandström were busy with AC4.<ref name="exclaim"/><ref>{{cite web| last = Magnusson| first = Daniel| title = REFUSED PÅ VÄG ATT ÅTERFÖRENAS| work = [[Gaffa (magazine)|Gaffa]]| language = sv| date = 29 March 2010| url = http://gaffa.se/nyhet/38196| access-date = 29 March 2010| archive-date = 2 March 2021| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210302234752/https://gaffa.se/nyhet/38196| url-status = dead}}</ref> The new band website was later announced to be a promotional site for a reissue of Refused's final album, ''[[The Shape of Punk to Come]]''.<ref name="exclaim"/> The reissue, released on 8 June 2010, is a three-disc set with an unreleased live album recorded in 1998 and the ''[[Refused Are Fucking Dead]]'' DVD documentary in addition to the full original album.<ref>{{cite web| last = Paul| first = Aubin| title = Refused to issue deluxe 3 CD ''Shape of Punk to Come''| work = Punknews.org| date = 7 April 2010| url = http://www.punknews.org/article/37803| access-date = 7 April 2010}}</ref>

In November 2011, multiple posters said to be for the upcoming 2012 [[Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival|Coachella Festival]] appeared on several Internet sites, and the line-ups included Refused.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.swnk.org/wp-content/uploads/coachella-2012-lineup-poster-leaked.jpg|format=JPG|title=Leaked Coachella 2012 Poster|website=Swnk.org|access-date=26 June 2015|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304034125/http://www.swnk.org/wp-content/uploads/coachella-2012-lineup-poster-leaked.jpg|url-status=usurped}}</ref> This started new rumours of a long-awaited reunion.

=== Reunions, Brännström's firing and ''Freedom'' (2012–2017) ===
[[File:Refused June 2012.jpg|thumb|170px|Dennis Lyxzén with Refused in 2012]]
{{further|Refused Reunion Tour}}
During [[BBC Radio 1]]'s "Punk Show" on 2 January 2012, [[Mike Davies (broadcaster)|Mike Davies]] stated that Refused, along with [[At the Drive-In]] would be reforming in 2012. On 9 January 2012, Refused announced a reunion to perform at the 2012 [[Coachella (festival)|Coachella Festival]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=wookubus |date=2012-01-10 |title=Refused Issue Statement Regarding "Coachella Festival" Reunion Shows |url=https://www.theprp.com/2012/01/09/news/refused-issue-statement-regarding-coachella-festival-reunion-shows/ |access-date=2024-03-08 |website=Theprp.com |language=en-US}}</ref> This was controversial because of the band's original explicit declaration to never reunite.<ref name="p carter reformation" />

On 29 February, Refused played a secret show in Umeå, their first live performance since 1998.<ref>{{cite web |date=1 March 2012 |title=Video: Refused perform first show in 14 years « Consequence of Sound |url=http://consequence.net/2012/03/video-refused-perform-first-show-in-14-years/ |website=Consequence.net}}</ref> Refused played numerous European festivals on the [[Refused Reunion Tour|Reunion Tour]], including [[Way Out West Festival|Way Out West]] in [[Gothenburg, Sweden|Gothenburg]], [[Primavera Sound]] in [[Barcelona]] and [[Download Festival]] in [[England]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bon Iver and Refused first acts confirmed for Way Out West 2012 |url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/latest-news/bon-iver-and-refused-first-acts-confirmed-for-way-out-west-2012-78168 |access-date=2024-03-08 |website=The Line of Best Fit |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Goodwyn |first=Tom |date=2012-01-30 |title=Refused, Laura Marling added to Primavera Sound 2012 line-up |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/refused-9-1270228 |access-date=2024-03-08 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cooper |first=Leonie |date=2012-04-03 |title=Refused added to Download line-up after Sonisphere cancellation |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/refused-8-1282567 |access-date=2024-03-08 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}</ref> They appeared for the first time on TV in America on ''[[Late Night with Jimmy Fallon]]'' on 18 July 2012<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stereokiller.com/newsreviews/news.cfm?intarticleid=11301 |title=Refused to play Jimmy Fallon Show 7/18 - Stereokiller News |publisher=Stereokiller.com |access-date=12 July 2012 |archive-date=19 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120719065057/http://www.stereokiller.com/newsreviews/news.cfm?intarticleid=11301 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and toured Australia for the first time in November.<ref>{{cite web |date=24 August 2012 |title=REFUSED ANNOUNCE AUSTRALIAN TOUR!! << Soundwave Touring |url=http://www.soundwavetouring.com/news/refused-announce-australian-tour/ |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141218184126/http://www.soundwavetouring.com/news/refused-announce-australian-tour/ |archive-date=18 December 2014 |access-date=1 November 2014 |publisher=Soundwave Touring}}</ref> Refused ended their reunion on 15 December 2012 with a hometown show in Umeå.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Minsker |first=Evan |date=2012-10-27 |title=Refused End Reunion |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/48370-refused-end-reunion/ |access-date=2024-03-08 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}}</ref>

On 22 February 2013, Refused were awarded the "Special Prize for Music Exports" by the Swedish Minister of Trade.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.government.se/sb/d/14448/a/183827 |title=Special prize for Swedish music exports |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307223714/http://www.government.se/sb/d/14448/a/183827 |archive-date=7 March 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.regeringen.se/sb/d/13763 |title=Music Export Prize 2012 to Johan "Shellback" Schuster - honroary prize to Refused |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130218075951/http://regeringen.se/sb/d/13763 |archive-date=18 February 2013 }}</ref>  Lyxzén and Sandström chose to criticize Sweden's [[Reinfeldt Cabinet|current government]] at the ceremony, instead thanking the efforts of [[popular education]], in particular [[Arbetarnas bildningsförbund|Workers' Educational Association (ABF)]] and [[youth club|youth centers]] (in Sweden associated with [[social democracy]])<ref>{{cite news|url=http://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=1646&artikel=5452941|title=Refused gets government award - slanders their politics (Swedish) |newspaper=Sveriges Radio|date=22 February 2013 }}</ref> while Jon Brännström chose to not accept the prize on his behalf<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vk.se/808985/refused-oense-efter-pris|title=Refused in disagreement after award (Swedish)|date=27 February 2013|publisher=Västerbottenskuriren}}</ref> later stating he wished they "[...] had said no to the prize and instead held a press conference about why we had turned it down".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.farsotfarsot.com/fanzine/i-had-nothing-else-to-return-to-than-different-kinds-of-demons |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130410191004/http://www.farsotfarsot.com/fanzine/i-had-nothing-else-to-return-to-than-different-kinds-of-demons |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 April 2013 |title=I had nothing else to return to than different kinds of demons |website=Farsotfarsot.com }}</ref>

On 31 October 2014, Jon Brännström wrote on Refused's Facebook page that he was fired from the band and no longer considered them friends. The band responded by stating that they fired him in 2013 "because he did not share our passion for the band."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Renshaw |first=David |date=2014-11-03 |title=Guitarist Jon Brännström attacks Refused after he is fired from band |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/refused-5-1230630 |access-date=2024-03-08 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}</ref> 

On 25 November 2014, the band announced that they would perform their first shows in three years at the [[Reading and Leeds Festivals]], [[Groezrock]] and [[Amnesia Rockfest]] in the summer of 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://propertyofzack.com/post/103573895453/refused-are-unfucking-dead-again |title=Refused Are Unfucking Dead, Again |website=Propertyofzack.com |date=25 November 2014 |access-date=25 November 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=3713318 |title=Refused to Play Amnesia Rockfest |website=[[AbsolutePunk|AbsolutePunk.net]] |date=25 November 2014 |access-date=25 November 2014}}</ref> They also headlined Punk Rock Bowling in Las Vegas in May 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://newnoisemagazine.com/punk-rock-bowling-announces-2015-headliners/ |title=Punk Rock Bowling Announces 2015 Headliners |website=Newnoisemagazine.com |date=26 November 2014 |access-date=26 November 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141208164337/http://newnoisemagazine.com/punk-rock-bowling-announces-2015-headliners/ |archive-date=8 December 2014 }}</ref> Around the same time, rumours surfaced of a new album being recorded for release in 2015 after [[...And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead]]'s Autrey Fulbright II posted a photo on [[Instagram]] claiming that Lyxzén had been in the studio recording vocals for the album.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metalinjection.net/latest-news/rumors/more-evidence-that-refused-are-working-on-a-new-album |title=More Evidence That REFUSED Are Working On A New Album |website=Metalinjection.net |date=11 November 2014 |access-date=26 June 2015}}</ref>

On 27 April 2015, Refused announced their fourth studio album, ''[[Freedom (Refused album)|Freedom]]'', to be released in June 2015 via [[Epitaph Records]]. The album was produced primarily by [[Nick Launay]] and featured two songs produced by [[Shellback (record producer)|Shellback]].<ref name="Lam" /> The opening track "Elektra" was released as the lead single.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/news/57401-refused-are-back-new-album-freedom-out-this-summer-new-track-elektra-streaming-now/ |title=Refused Are Back: New Album Freedom Out This Summer, New Track "Elektra" Streaming Now |publisher=Pitchfork Media|date=27 April 2015|access-date=27 April 2015}}</ref>

On 20 November 2017, members of Refused revealed on social media that the band has been in the studio working on their next album.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theprp.com/2017/11/20/news/refused-are-in-the-studio/|title=Refused Are In The Studio|website=Theprp.com|date=20 November 2017|access-date=20 November 2017}}</ref>

===''Servants of Death'', ''Cyberpunk 2077'' and ''War Music'' (2018-present)===
In May 2018, the band released the ''Servants of Death'' EP which contained a new song, a b-side and four live songs. It was originally released on vinyl in 2016 as part of Record Store Day.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://refused.bandcamp.com/album/servants-of-death|title=Servants of Death, by Refused|website=Refused.bandcamp.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://metalinjection.net/av/new-music/refused-streams-2016s-vinyl-only-servants-of-death-ep|title=REFUSED Streams 2016's Vinyl-Only Servants Of Death EP|date=29 May 2018|website=Metalinjection.net|access-date=19 October 2019}}</ref>

On 2 July 2019, it was announced that Refused would be partnering with video game developer [[CD Projekt RED|CD Projekt Red]], creating and recording original music for then-upcoming video game ''[[Cyberpunk 2077#Music|Cyberpunk 2077]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/CyberpunkGame/status/1146072136378966016|title=Hello, Night City! What better way to start your day off than with some killer riffs? We teamed up with @Refused to bring the iconic band SAMURAI to life in #Cyberpunk2077 – and today we have their first track to share with you… here's Chippin' In!http://youtu.be/Igq3d6XA75Y|last=Cyberpunk 2077|date=2 July 2019|website=[[Twitter]]|language=en|access-date=2 July 2019}}</ref> The members of Refused provided music for a fictitious band in the in-game universe, punk rock group SAMURAI; which includes fictitious musician and terrorist Johnny Silverhand, portrayed and voiced by [[Keanu Reeves]]; while Lyxzén provided vocals on the music tracks for both Johnny and Kerry Eurodyne. The announcement was made alongside the release of ''Chippin' In'' on streaming services, the first single to be revealed for the project. 
On 23 August 2019, a new song called ''Never Fade Away'' came out.

On 2 August 2019, the band released "Blood Red" from their forthcoming album ''War Music''. The album was released on October 18 of that year, followed by a UK tour alongside Thrice and Gouge Away. <ref>{{cite web |title=Refused Announce New Album War Music |url=https://www.kerrang.com/refused-announce-new-album-war-music |website=Kerrang! |date=24 July 2019 |access-date=11 July 2022}}</ref>

A five-track EP ''The Malignant Fire'' was released on 20 November 2020. It featured single "Born on the Outs", three other new songs, as well as "Malfire" from ''War Music''.<ref>{{cite web |title=The new Refused EP documents a world on fire. Hear Born On The Outs now |url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/the-new-refused-ep-documents-a-world-on-fire-hear-single-born-on-the-outs-now |website=Louder |date=16 October 2020 |access-date=12 July 2022}}</ref>

In March 2024, Refused announced their first show in four years, at the Rosendal Garden Party in Stockholm. It was advertised as "their last festival performance in Sweden. Ever".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-05 |title=Refused have just announced their final festival show in Sweden |url=https://www.kerrang.com/refused-have-reportedly-announced-their-final-festival-show-in-sweden/ |access-date=2024-03-08 |website=Kerrang! |language=en}}</ref> However, it was cancelled the day before because frontman [[Dennis Lyxzén]] suffered a massive heart attack.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Kaufman |first=Gil |date=2024-06-14 |title=Refused Cancel Swedish Festival Gig After Singer Dennis Lyxzén Suffers 'Massive' Heart Attack: 'Really Shook Up' |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/refused-cancel-swedish-festival-gig-singer-dennis-lyxzen-massive-heart-attack-1235709730/ |access-date=2024-09-22 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref> On 10 September 2024, the band announced US dates for a 2025 farewell tour alongside a tribute album for ''The Shape of Punk to Come''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Duran |first=Anagricel |date=2024-09-10 |title=Refused confirm their split and announce 'The Shape Of Punk To Come' 25th anniversary edition |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/refused-confirm-their-split-and-announce-the-shape-of-punk-to-come-25th-anniversary-edition-3792375 |access-date=2024-09-22 |website=NME |language=en-GB}}</ref>

==Musical style, lyrics, and influences==
[[File:Refused no Optimus Alive.jpg|thumb|Refused performing in 2012]]
Refused started as a "fresh-faced [[positive hardcore]] band" and their music became increasingly progressive and radical, as did their lyrics.<ref name="in effect"/> The record ''[[This Just Might Be... the Truth]]'' was characterized for its "massive hardcore sound",<ref name="tjmbtt">{{cite web|first=Jason |last=Anderson |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/this-just-might-be-the-truth-mw0000018026 |title=This Just Might Be... The Truth - Refused &#124; Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards |website=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=2 July 2015}}</ref> mostly influenced by various bands from the [[New York hardcore]] scene (such as [[Earth Crisis]]).{{Citation needed|date=March 2009}} On their follow-up,'' [[Songs to Fan the Flames of Discontent]]'', the band had a heavier, more intricate style, which is generally attributed to their [[Slayer]] inspiration, and Lyxzén adopted [[screaming (music)|screaming]] vocals rather than shouting.<ref name="tjmbtt"/><ref name="tonedeaf">{{cite web|access-date=29 November 2017|url=http://tonedeaf.com.au/refused-greatest-punk-moments/|title=Refused, The Greatest Punk Moments|first=Nicholas|last=Jones|date=8 November 2012|publication-date=8 November 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20171129184847/http://tonedeaf.com.au/refused-greatest-punk-moments/|archive-date=29 November 2017}}</ref> With the third album, ''[[The Shape of Punk to Come]]'', "came the leap into the unknown" as the band mixed their previous style with unorthodox chord progressions, [[Sampling (music)|sampling]], "ambient textures, [[jazz]] [[breakdown (music)|breakdowns]]", [[electronica]] and monologues, and other deviations from the hardcore punk music.<ref name="in effect"/><ref>{{cite web|access-date=29 November 2017|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-shape-of-punk-to-come-mw0000043978|first=Blake|last=Butler|website=[[AllMusic]]|title=Refused {{!}} The Shape of Punk to Come|url-status=live|archive-date=29 November 2017|archive-url=https://archive.today/20171129080848/https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-shape-of-punk-to-come-mw0000043978}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|access-date=1 December 2017|url=https://www.avclub.com/refused-the-shape-of-punk-to-come-1798165133|title=Refused: The Shape Of Punk To Come|first=Jason |last=Heller|publication-date=8 June 2010|website=[[The A.V. Club]]|date=8 June 2010 }}</ref>

Refused's lyrics focus on [[far-left politics]], drawing on [[anarchism]], [[socialism]], among other ideologies.{{sfn|Kuhn|2010|pp=58, 59}} By the time of their first album, the band already had a strong [[anti-establishment]] profile.<ref name="tjmbtt"/> The group's members were all [[vegan straight edge]] until their last show in 1998 and a couple of their songs dealt with these topics.{{sfn|Kuhn|2010|p=54|ps=. "Dennis Lyxzén: Refused was a straight edge, vegan, socialist, anarchist sort of band. We were that all along, until we broke up. At the last show, I'm X-ed up, actually."}} Today, some of them no longer follow these lifestyles.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=27 November 2017|url=http://shanghaiist.com/2009/10/01/interview_the_international_noise_c.php|title=Dennis Lyxzén on life in Sweden's grooviest, socialist rock band: The (International) Noise Conspiracy|website=[[Shanghaiist]]|first=Kirsti|last=Jönson|date=October 2009|publication-date=1 October 2009|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120525064924/http://shanghaiist.com/2009/10/01/interview_the_international_noise_c.php|archive-date=25 May 2012}}</ref> In their live performances, vocalist Lyxzén usually delivers political speeches between songs.<ref name=thelineofbestfit/> Before the Umeå hardcore phenomenon went into full bloom, the band was seen as part of the scene centered around youth-oriented venue Galaxen, along with the punk-rock scene as well as metal bands such as [[Meshuggah]].{{citation needed|date=November 2017}}

Refused have cited bands and artists as inflluences, including [[Fugazi]], [[Slayer]],<ref>{{cite web |last=Bray |first=Ryan |date=30 June 2015 |title=Refused's Dennis Lyxzén Revisits Fugazi's Red Medicine |url=https://consequence.net/2015/06/refuseds-dennis-lyxzen-revisits-fugazis-red-medicine/ |access-date=28 November 2017 |website=[[Consequence of Sound]] |publication-date=30 June 2015}}</ref> [[Born Against]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bogosian |first=Dan |date=June 23, 2015 |title=Refused's David Sandström and Dennis Lyxzén: The Changing Shape of Punk |url=https://consequence.net/2015/06/refuseds-david-sandstrom-and-dennis-lyxzen-the-changing-shape-of-punk/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240127002310/https://consequence.net/2015/06/refuseds-david-sandstrom-and-dennis-lyxzen-the-changing-shape-of-punk/ |archive-date=January 27, 2024 |access-date=May 11, 2024 |website=[[Consequence of Sound]]}}</ref>{{sfn|Kuhn|2010|p=56}} and [[ManLiftingBanner]].<ref>{{cite web |author=Arold |title=The (International) Noise Conspiracy: music mixed with politics |url=http://www.asice.net/specials/315/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081225153056/http://www.asice.net/specials/315/ |archive-date=25 December 2008 |access-date=28 November 2017 |website=Asice.net |publication-date=24 December 2008 |quote=Dennis Lyxzén: [...] it wasn't till I found out about Born Against and most importantly ManLiftingBanner that I really became more political myself. Especially ManLiftingBanner was a big influence to Refused, most people don't seem to know that. But to hear of a European straight edge band with communist ideas, that was so inspiring to us. That really fuelled me and the other guys to do a band as well.}}</ref> Lyxzén has also cited [[Ian Svenonius]]'s projects ([[Make-Up (American band)|The Make-Up]], [[The Nation of Ulysses]] and [[Cupid Car Club]])<ref name="washington">{{cite web |date=March 2014 |title=No Cheap Holiday, These Other People's Ecstasy: A 2014 Dennis Lyxzen Interview |url=https://dayafterdaydc.wordpress.com/2014/06/13/dennis/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20171128091843/https://dayafterdaydc.wordpress.com/2014/06/13/dennis/ |archive-date=28 November 2017 |access-date=28 November 2017 |website=Dayafterdaydc.wordpress.com |publication-date=13 June 2014 |location=Washington, D.C.}}</ref> as personal influences, while Sandström has drawn from [[Snapcase]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/progression-through-unlearning-snapcases-timeless-hardcore-classic-turns-20/|access-date=28 November 2017|quote= "Earlier in the 90s, Tim [Redmond] really set the standard for how high you could tune a snare drum. A lot of drummers got piccolo snares and tortured those tension rods until the drumhead was about to pop," says Refused drummer David Sandström, who toured with Snapcase in '96. "There was a certain stability and propulsion to Tim's beats that really influenced me. He was indefatigable. Felt like he could punch his way through a brick wall." |title=''Progression Through Unlearning'', Snapcase's Timeless Hardcore Classic, Turns 20|first=Dan |last=Ozzi|publication-date=31 March 2017|publisher=[[Vice (magazine)|Vice]]|website=Noisey.vice.com|date=31 March 2017 }}</ref>

==Legacy==
Refused profoundly affected the development of rock music at the turn of the twenty-first century, despite the fact that very few people supported them when they were active.<ref name="p carter reformation"/> According to [[Vice (magazine)|''Vice'']], they "stood at the nexus of modern punk, incorporating all of its subgenres into one scattered but neat package", putting "the risk back into punk and hardcore by making it unexpected again."<ref name="popsongs"/> David Anthony of ''[[The A.V. Club]]'' described ''The Shape of Punk to Come'' as "an undisputed classic that served as a rallying cry for bands longing to incorporate sounds from outside the walls of aggressive music."<ref name=":0">{{cite web|access-date=29 November 2017|url=https://www.avclub.com/with-freedom-refused-tries-to-kill-its-legacy-1798184218|title=With Freedom, Refused tries to kill its legacy|first=David |last=Anthony|publication-date=30 June 2015 |website=[[The A.V. Club]]|date=30 June 2015 }}</ref> Author [[Gabriel Kuhn]] states that Refused "became the flagship of a remarkably strong vegan straight edge movement that engulfed Sweden throughout the 1990s" with "witty manifestos" and "performances" that "challenged many of the scene's standards".{{sfn|Kuhn|2010|p=53}}

Among the artists who cite Refused as an influence are [[Linkin Park]],<ref>{{cite web|access-date=29 November 2017|url=https://www.yahoo.com/music/blogs/yahoo-music/linkin-park-seek-original-sound-hunting-party-183836270.html|title=Linkin Park Seek Original Sound for 'The Hunting Party'|first=Jon|last=Wiederhorn|publication-date=25 June 2014|location=Los Angeles, California|work=[[Yahoo! Music]]|date=25 June 2014 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20171129032255/https://www.yahoo.com/music/blogs/yahoo-music/linkin-park-seek-original-sound-hunting-party-183836270.html|archive-date=29 November 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|access-date=29 November 2017|title=[AltWire Interview] Chester Bennington – "We'll Be Playing Some Songs That We Haven't Played Before…"|publication-date=12 March 2015|first=Derek|last=Oswald|website=Altwire.net|date=13 March 2015|url=https://www.altwire.net/2015/03/12/altwire-interview-chester-bennington/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150318232425/http://www.altwire.net/2015/03/12/altwire-interview-chester-bennington/|archive-date=18 March 2015}}</ref> [[Duff McKagan]] of [[Velvet Revolver]] and [[Guns N' Roses]],<ref>{{cite web|access-date=2 December 2017|url=http://www.theskinny.co.uk/music/playlists/under-the-influence-duff-mckagan|title=Under the Influence: Duff McKagan |first=Duff |last=McKagan |publication-date=5 October 2012|website=[[The Skinny (magazine)|The Skinny]]|quote=Duff McKagan: [...] If you listen to [[Contraband (Velvet Revolver album)|the first Velvet Revolver record]], all we were listening to was ''The Shape of Punk to Come''. We have this song called Illegal Eye and that riff at the beginning came about after cranking Refused in rehearsal.|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160328015221/http://www.theskinny.co.uk/music/playlists/under-the-influence-duff-mckagan|archive-date=28 March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|access-date=2 December 2017|url=http://archive.seattleweekly.com/music/duffmckagan/918664-129/duffmckagan|title=Duff McKagan: Refused Aren't Dead, They're Killing!|first=Duff|last=McKagan|publication-date=6 September 2012|website=[[Seattle Weekly]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20171202064023/http://archive.seattleweekly.com/music/duffmckagan/918664-129/duffmckagan|archive-date=2 December 2017}}</ref> [[Sum 41]],<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=di Perna |first1=Alan |title=Sum 41: Blow Up |magazine=[[Guitar World]] |date=December 2004|publication-date=13 November 2008 |url=https://www.guitarworld.com/features/sum-41-blow|access-date=2 March 2019|url-status=live|archive-date=27 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181027170728/https://www.guitarworld.com/features/sum-41-blow}}</ref> [[Tom DeLonge]] and [[Mark Hoppus]] of [[Blink-182]],<ref>{{cite web|access-date=28 November 2017|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1452089/blink-182s-tom-delonge-salutes-his-roots-on-new-album/|title=Blink-182's Tom DeLonge Salutes His Roots On New Album|website=[[MTV.com]]|first=Corey|last=Moss|publication-date=31 January 2002|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150308064524/http://www.mtv.com/news/1452089/blink-182s-tom-delonge-salutes-his-roots-on-new-album/|archive-date=8 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|access-date=28 November 2017|title=blink-182: no ''jacket'' required|website=[[MTV.com]]|url=http://www.mtv.com/bands/archive/b/blink01/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104230934/http://www.mtv.com/bands/archive/b/blink01/|archive-date=4 November 2012}}</ref> [[AFI (band)|AFI]],<ref>{{cite magazine|access-date=28 November 2017|title=AFI|publication-date=11 February 2003|first=Edd|last=Baldry|publisher=[[Last Hours]]|magazine=Rancid News|issue=1|quote=[[Davey Havok]]: [...] But Refused were a great band. I mean when '''Songs to fan the Flames''' came out that was… I mean '''[[Shut Your Mouth and Open Your Eyes|Shut Your Mouth Open Your Eyes]]''' wouldn't have been the same if it hadn't been for Refused (laughs) they were hugely inspirational. It was very cool being able to play with them!|url=http://www.archive.lasthours.org.uk/interviews/afi/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20171128035853/http://www.archive.lasthours.org.uk/interviews/afi/|archive-date=28 November 2017}}</ref> [[Papa Roach]],<ref>{{cite web|access-date=28 November 2017|url=http://www.metal-rules.com/metalnews/2010/12/27/papa-roach-guitarist-jerry-horton/|title=PAPA ROACH – guitarist Jerry Horton|location=Helsinki, Finland|website=[[Metal Rules]]|date=15 November 2010|publication-date=27 December 2010|first=Marko|last=Syrjala|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20171128031218/http://www.metal-rules.com/metalnews/2010/12/27/papa-roach-guitarist-jerry-horton/|archive-date=28 November 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|access-date=28 November 2017|url=http://loudwire.com/papa-roach-face-everything-and-rise-video-tour-seether-more/|website=[[Loudwire]]|title=Papa Roach Talk 'Face Everything and Rise' Video, Tour With Seether + More|first=Chad |last=Childers|date=22 December 2014 |publication-date=22 December 2014}}</ref> [[Tim McIlrath]] of [[Rise Against]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.spin.com/2011/02/rise-againsts-mcilrath-influential-music-books/|title=Rise Against's McIlrath on Influential Music, Books|first=Kevin|last=O'Donnell|publication-date=18 February 2011|access-date=28 November 2017|website=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]|date=18 February 2011|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20171128025902/https://www.spin.com/2011/02/rise-againsts-mcilrath-influential-music-books/|archive-date=28 November 2017}}</ref> [[Underoath]],<ref name="underoath"/> [[Enter Shikari]],<ref>{{cite web|access-date=6 March 2018|url=http://themicmagazine.co.uk/2017/10/10/interview-enter-shikari/|first=Luke |last=Barnard|title=Interview: Enter Shikari|publication-date=10 October 2017| url-status=live | archive-date=6 March 2018|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180306080123/http://themicmagazine.co.uk/2017/10/10/interview-enter-shikari/}}</ref> [[the Used]],<ref>{{cite web|access-date=28 November 2017|url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/interviews/the_used_rhythm_is_the_illusion_to_music_and_to_everything.html|title=The Used: 'Rhythm Is The Illusion To Music And To Everything'|publication-date =13 June 2012 |first=Steven |last=Rosen|website=[[Ultimate Guitar Archive]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|access-date=28 November 2017|url=http://mindequalsblown.net/interviews/the-used-interview-dan-whitesides-8-28-2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151022234933/http://mindequalsblown.net/interviews/the-used-interview-dan-whitesides-8-28-2009|url-status=usurped|archive-date=22 October 2015|title=Interview: The Used|first=Mat |last=Colwell|date=29 August 2009 |website=Mindequalsblown.net}}</ref> [[Every Time I Die]],<ref>{{cite web|access-date=28 November 2017|url=http://crypticrock.com/interview-keith-buckley-of-every-time-i-die/|publication-date=29 August 2014 |title=Interview – Keith Buckley of Every Time I Die|website=Crypticrock.com |first=Frank |last=Malerba |date=29 August 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|access-date=28 November 2017|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxAnOs16IBg|format=video|title=Every Time I Die // Favourite Albums (Ep. 26)|publication-date=7 October 2014|publisher=Backstage Broadcast}}</ref> [[Norma Jean (band)|Norma Jean]],<ref>{{cite magazine|access-date=6 March 2018|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tru_LMeiZNEC&pg=PA23|page=23|publication-date=20 January 2003|date=August 2002|title=Five questions with... Daniel Davison of Norma Jean!|magazine=[[CMJ New Music Report]]|first=Amy |last=Sciarretto|issue=797|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20180305081125/https://books.google.com/books?id=tru_LMeiZNEC&pg=PA23|archive-date=5 March 2018}}</ref> [[Showbread (band)|Showbread]],<ref>{{cite web|access-date=2 December 2017|title=Interview with Showbread lead singer Josh Dies|first=Bruce |last=Moore |publication-date=21 September 2009 |website=Puregrainaudio.com|url=http://puregrainaudio.com/interviews/showbread|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090925144213/http://puregrainaudio.com/interviews/showbread|archive-date=25 September 2009}}</ref> [[La Dispute (band)|La Dispute]],<ref>{{cite web|access-date=27 November 2017|format=video|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BZKsPndaIU|title=La Dispute Interview|website=FromTheGarage.net|time=4:08}}</ref> [[Nick Hipa]] of [[As I Lay Dying (band)|As I Lay Dying]],<ref name="nick hipa"/> Derek E. Miller of [[Poison the Well (band)|Poison the Well]] and [[Sleigh Bells (band)|Sleigh Bells]],<ref name="Was Refused's The Shape Of Punk To Come Actually The Shape Of Punk To Come?">{{cite web |last1=Lyons |first1=Patrick |title=Was Refused's The Shape Of Punk To Come Actually The Shape Of Punk To Come? |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2020358/refused-shape-of-punk-to-come-turns-20/franchises/sounding-board/ |website=[[Stereogum]] |date=26 October 2018 |access-date=29 May 2019}}</ref> [[Geoff Rickly]] of [[Thursday (band)|Thursday]], [[United Nations (band)|United Nations]] and [[No Devotion]],<ref name="Was Refused's The Shape Of Punk To Come Actually The Shape Of Punk To Come?" /> [[Marcos Curiel]] of [[P.O.D.]] and [[Daylight Division]],<ref name="Was Refused's The Shape Of Punk To Come Actually The Shape Of Punk To Come?" /> [[Jeremy Bolm]] of [[Hesitation Wounds]] and [[Touché Amoré]],<ref name="Was Refused's The Shape Of Punk To Come Actually The Shape Of Punk To Come?" /> Zachary Garren of [[Dance Gavin Dance]] and [[Strawberry Girls]],<ref name="Was Refused's The Shape Of Punk To Come Actually The Shape Of Punk To Come?" /> Chris Teti of [[the World Is a Beautiful Place & I Am No Longer Afraid to Die]],<ref name="Was Refused's The Shape Of Punk To Come Actually The Shape Of Punk To Come?" /> [[the New Transit Direction]],<ref name="Was Refused's The Shape Of Punk To Come Actually The Shape Of Punk To Come?" /> [[the Bloody Beetroots]],<ref name="Was Refused's The Shape Of Punk To Come Actually The Shape Of Punk To Come?" /> [[Justin Beck]] of [[Glassjaw]] and [[Sons of Abraham]],<ref name="Was Refused's The Shape Of Punk To Come Actually The Shape Of Punk To Come?" /> [[Robin Staps]] of [[the Ocean (band)|the Ocean]],<ref>{{cite web|access-date=6 March 2018|url=http://mega-metal.de/interviews/2008/the-ocean.html|language=de|website=Mega-metal.de|title=Interview: THE OCEAN|first=Siegfried |last=Wehkamp|location=Osnabrück, Germany|date=27 March 2008|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819135217/http://mega-metal.de/interviews/2008/the-ocean.html|archive-date=19 August 2016}}</ref> [[the Bled]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://myspace.com/thebled|title=THE BLED|website=[[MySpace]]|access-date=5 March 2018|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050205064834/https://myspace.com/thebled|archive-date=5 February 2005}}</ref> Thomas Williams of [[Stray from the Path]],<ref>{{cite web|access-date=6 March 2018|url=https://substreammagazine.com/2017/09/stray-from-the-path-interview/|title=We're all temporary: A conversation with Stray From The Path|first=James |last=Shotwell |publication-date=27 September 2017|website=Substream Magazine|date=27 September 2017 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180306081517/https://substreammagazine.com/2017/09/stray-from-the-path-interview/|archive-date=6 March 2018}}</ref> [[Brandon Kellum]] of [[American Standards]],<ref>{{cite web|access-date=6 March 2018|url=https://shetalksmusic.com/2017/12/06/american-standards-interview/|title=American Standards – Interview|author=Rachel|publication-date= 6 December 2017|website=Shetalksmusic.com|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180114020234/https://shetalksmusic.com/2017/12/06/american-standards-interview/|archive-date=14 January 2018}}</ref> and [[Jonathan Boulet]].<ref>{{cite web|access-date=6 March 2018|url=http://theorangepress.net/2011/08/qa-jonathon-boulet/|title=Q&A: Jonathan Boulet|publication-date=4 August 2011 |website=Theorangepress.net |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110824043313/http://theorangepress.net/2011/08/qa-jonathon-boulet/|archive-date=24 August 2011}}</ref> The song "H. Ledger" from [[letlive.]]'s album ''[[Fake History]]'' is a "homage" to Refused because the band felt that they "didn't receive proper recognition until they were no longer active."<ref>{{cite web|access-date=28 November 2017|title=Interviews: Letlive.|url=http://www.punknews.org/article/46786/interviews-letlive|first=Faye|last=Turnbull|location=Newcastle, United Kingdom|website=Punknews.org|date=2 April 2012 |publication-date=2 April 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20131104182208/http://www.punknews.org/article/46786/interviews-letlive|archive-date=4 November 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|access-date=28 November 2017|website=[[Rock Sound]]|title=Exclusive: Letlive 'Fake History' Album Track By Track|publication-date=6 April 2011|first=Jason|last=Butler|author-link=Jason Aalon Butler|url=https://www.rocksound.tv/features/read/exclusive-letlive-fake-history-album-stream-and-track-by-track|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20171128045222/https://www.rocksound.tv/features/read/exclusive-letlive-fake-history-album-stream-and-track-by-track|archive-date=28 November 2017}}</ref> British musician [[Frank Turner]] stated that ''The Shape of Punk to Come'' "shaped my musical path as a musician for a long time" and his group, [[Million Dead]], took their name from a line in the Refused's song "The Apollo Programme was a Hoax".<ref>{{cite web|access-date=28 November 2017|url=http://www.musicradar.com/news/frank-turner-the-records-that-changed-my-life|page=7|title=Frank Turner: the records that changed my life|website=[[MusicRadar]]|first=Rich |last=Chamberlain |date=10 May 2017|publication-date=10 May 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/frank-turners-ten-favorite-hardcore-records/|title=Frank Turner's Ten Favorite Hardcore Records|first=Dan |last=Ozzi|publication-date=28 May 2014|publisher=[[Vice (magazine)|Vice]]|website=Noisey.vice.com|date=28 May 2014 |access-date=19 October 2019}}</ref> Pop punk band [[Paramore]] were inspired by the song "Liberation Frequency" and quoted a line of it on their 2007 song "[[Born for This (Paramore song)|Born for This]]".<ref>{{cite web|last=Jamieson|first=Sarah |url=http://www.organised-sound.com/v2/interviews/1009/ |title=Organised-Sound interview with Paramore |location=Wolverhampton, West Midlands, England|website=Organised-sound.com |date=2 September 2007 |access-date=2 December 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090111031621/http://www.organised-sound.com/v2/interviews/1009/|archive-date=11 January 2009}}</ref>

Other artists have been quoted expressing admiration for their work are [[Anthrax (American band)|Anthrax]],<ref name="anthrax"/> [[Steve Aoki]],<ref>{{cite web|access-date=1 December 2017|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/steve-aoki-top-hardcore-straight-edge/|title=We Asked Steve Aoki About His Favorite Hardcore and Straight Edge Albums on Ian MacKaye's Birthday|publication-date=16 April 2015|website=Noisey.vice.com|publisher=[[Vice (magazine)|Vice]]|first=Rod |last=Glacial|date=16 April 2015 }}</ref> and [[Ben Weinman]] of [[the Dillinger Escape Plan]].<ref>{{cite web|access-date=6 March 2018|title=THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN (usa) - Ben Weinman (Avril-2013/VF-EV)|date=April 2013|publication-date=6 July 2013|website=Metal-impact.com|url=http://www.metal-impact.com/index.php?name=Interviews&req=showcontent&id=519|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20180130105540/http://www.metal-impact.com/index.php?name=Interviews&req=showcontent&id=519|archive-date=30 January 2018}}</ref>

==Members==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
;Current members
*[[Dennis Lyxzén]] — lead vocals <small>(1991–1998, 2012, 2014–present)</small>
*[[David Sandström]] — drums <small>(1991–1998, 2012, 2014–present)</small>
*Magnus Flagge (formerly Björklund) — bass <small>(1992–1995, 1997, 2012, 2014–present)</small>,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://officialrefused.com.preview.binero.se/2012/02/we-want-to-present-the-bassplayer/ |title=THE BASSPLAYER &#124; Refused Official Site |website=Officialrefused.com.preview.binero.se |date=20 February 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129144131/http://officialrefused.com.preview.binero.se/2012/02/we-want-to-present-the-bassplayer/ |archive-date=29 November 2014 }}</ref>
*[[Mattias Bärjed]] — guitar <small>(2019–present; touring member 2015–2019)</small>

;Former members
* Jonas Lidgren — bass <small>(1991–1992)</small>
* Pär Hansson — guitars <small>(1991–1994)</small>
* Henrik Jansson — guitars <small>(1992–1995)</small>
* Jon Brännström — guitars, samples, synthesizer, backing vocals <small>(1995–1998, 2012)</small>
* Magnus Höggren — bass <small>(1995–1997; died 2023)</small>
* Ulf Nybérg — bass <small>(1997–1998)</small>
*[[Kristofer Steen]] — guitars <small>(1994–1998, 2012, 2014–2020)</small>; bass <small>(1994–1998, in studio)</small>

{{col-2}}

;Session bassists
* Jesper Sundberg <small>(1994)</small>
* Anders Johansson <small>(1994&ndash;1995, whenever needed)</small>
* Jonas "Babyface" Eriksson <small>(1996&ndash;1997, also took part in the pre-production of ''[[The Shape of Punk to Come]]'')</small>
* Håkan-Håkan Strandhag <small>(1997; needed once)</small>
* [[Inge Johansson]] <small>(1997; needed once)</small>
* Andreas Nilsson <small>(1997; needed once)</small>
* [[Don Devore]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.monumenthq.se/shop/?&aid=702|title=Ink & Dagger Biography|date= |website=Stereogum|access-date=26 January 2020}}</ref> <small>(1998; US tour)</small>
{{col-end}}

===Timeline===
{{#tag:timeline|
ImageSize  = width:900 height:auto barincrement:20 
PlotArea   = left:100 bottom:95 top:5 right:10
Alignbars  = justify 
DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy 
Period     = from:01/01/1991 till:{{#time:m/d/Y}}
TimeAxis   = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy 
ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1991 
ScaleMajor = increment:3 start:1991 
Legend     = position:bottom orientation:vertical columns:3

Colors = 
  id:Vocals  value:red         legend:Vocals 
  id:Cello   value:darkblue    legend:Cello 
  id:Guitar  value:green       legend:Guitars 
  id:Keys    value:purple      legend:Samples,_synthesizer
  id:Bass    value:blue        legend:Bass 
  id:Drums   value:orange      legend:Drums 
  id:Touring value:yellow      legend:Touring
  id:Lines1  value:black       legend:Studio_album
  id:Lines2  value:gray(0.7)   legend:EP
  id:bars    value:gray(0.95)

BackgroundColors = bars:bars 

BarData = 
  bar:Lyxzén       text:"Dennis Lyxzén" 
  bar:Hansson      text:"Pär Hansson" 
  bar:Steen        text:"Kristofer Steen"
  bar:Jansson      text:"Henrik Jansson" 
  bar:Brännström   text:"Jon Brännström" 
  bar:Bärjed       text:"Mattias Bärjed" 
  bar:Lidgren      text:"Jonas Lidgren" 
  bar:Flagge       text:"Magnus Flagge" 
  bar:Höggren      text:"Magnus Höggren" 
  bar:Nybérg       text:"Ulf Nybérg" 
  bar:Sandström    text:"David Sandström"

LineData = 
  at:05/01/1992  color:Lines2  layer:back 
  at:09/01/1992  color:Lines2  layer:back 
  at:06/01/1993  color:Lines2  layer:back 
  at:01/01/1994  color:Lines2  layer:back 
  at:08/01/1994  color:Lines2  layer:back 
  at:01/01/1995  color:Lines2  layer:back 
  at:06/01/1996  color:Lines2  layer:back 
  at:01/01/1998  color:Lines2  layer:back 
  at:11/17/1998  color:Lines2  layer:back 
  at:07/05/2010  color:Lines2  layer:back 
  at:10/01/1994  color:black   layer:back 
  at:06/07/1996  color:black   layer:back 
  at:10/27/1998  color:black   layer:back 
  at:06/29/2015  color:black   layer:back 
  at:10/18/2019  color:black   layer:back

PlotData= 
  width:11  
  textcolor:black 
  align:left 
  anchor:from 
  shift:(10,-4) 
  bar:Lyxzén      from:start      till:12/01/1998 color:Vocals 
  bar:Lyxzén      from:01/09/2012 till:12/15/2012 color:Vocals 
  bar:Lyxzén      from:11/25/2014 till:end        color:Vocals 
  bar:Hansson     from:start      till:08/01/1994 color:Guitar 
  bar:Jansson     from:01/01/1992 till:01/01/1995 color:Guitar 
  bar:Steen       from:08/01/1994 till:12/01/1998 color:Guitar 
  bar:Steen       from:01/09/2012 till:12/15/2012 color:Guitar 
  bar:Steen       from:11/25/2014 till:08/01/2020 color:Guitar 
  bar:Brännström  from:01/01/1995 till:12/01/1998 color:Guitar 
  bar:Brännström  from:01/09/2012 till:12/15/2012 color:Guitar
  bar:Bärjed      from:06/29/2015 till:01/07/2019 color:Guitar
  bar:Bärjed      from:06/29/2015 till:01/07/2019 color:Touring width:3
  bar:Bärjed      from:01/07/2019 till:end        color:Guitar 
  bar:Lidgren     from:start      till:01/01/1992 color:Bass 
  bar:Flagge      from:01/01/1992 till:10/01/1995 color:Bass 
  bar:Flagge      from:06/01/1997 till:10/01/1997 color:Bass 
  bar:Flagge      from:01/09/2012 till:12/15/2012 color:Bass 
  bar:Flagge      from:11/25/2014 till:end        color:Bass 
  bar:Höggren     from:10/01/1995 till:06/01/1997 color:Bass 
  bar:Nybérg      from:10/01/1997 till:12/01/1998 color:Bass 
  bar:Sandström   from:start      till:12/01/1998 color:Drums 
  bar:Sandström   from:01/09/2012 till:12/15/2012 color:Drums 
  bar:Sandström   from:11/25/2014 till:end        color:Drums

  width:3
  textcolor:black 
  align:left 
  anchor:from 
  shift:(10,-4) 
  bar:Steen       from:08/01/1994 till:12/01/1998 color:Bass 
  bar:Flagge      from:01/01/1992 till:10/01/1995 color:Cello 
  bar:Flagge      from:06/01/1997 till:10/01/1997 color:Cello 
  bar:Brännström  from:01/01/1995 till:12/01/1998 color:Keys 
  bar:Brännström  from:01/09/2012 till:12/15/2012 color:Keys
}}

==Discography==
{{Main|Refused discography}}

===Studio albums===
* ''[[This Just Might Be... the Truth]]''&nbsp;(1994)
* ''[[Songs to Fan the Flames of Discontent]]''&nbsp;(1996)
* ''[[The Shape of Punk to Come]]''&nbsp;(1998)
* ''[[Freedom (Refused album)|Freedom]]'' (2015)
* ''[[War Music (Refused album)|War Music]]'' (2019)

==See also==
*[[Animal rights and punk subculture]]

==References==
{{Reflist|refs=
<ref name=allmusic>{{cite web|last=Ankeny |first=Jason |url=http://allmusic.com/artist/refused-p202793 |title=Refused - Music Biography, Credits and Discography |website=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=2 July 2015}}</ref>
}}

==Bibliography==
*{{cite book
| first = Gabriel
| last = Kuhn
| author-link1 = Gabriel Kuhn
| date = 2010
| title = Sober Living for the Revolution: Hardcore Punk, Straight Edge, and Radical Politics
| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=Rp_tVcHOV0oC
| publisher = [[PM Press]]
| location = Oakland
| isbn = 978-1-60486-051-1
| access-date = 28 November 2017
}}{{Dead link|date=June 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

==External links==
{{cc}}
* {{official website}}
*{{allmusic}}
* {{discogs artist}}
* {{MusicBrainz artist|id=42884e27-dfb8-453d-990f-2ffd90bc2d1a|name=Refused}}

{{Refused}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Refused| ]]
[[Category:Swedish hardcore punk groups]]
[[Category:Swedish political music groups]]
[[Category:Post-hardcore groups]]
[[Category:Straight edge groups]]
[[Category:Equal Vision Records artists]]
[[Category:Burning Heart Records artists]]
[[Category:Victory Records artists]]
[[Category:1991 establishments in Sweden]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1991]]
[[Category:Musical groups disestablished in 1998]]
[[Category:Musical groups reestablished in 2012]]
[[Category:Musical groups disestablished in 2012]]
[[Category:Musical groups reestablished in 2014]]
[[Category:Musical groups from Umeå]]