Rising from the ashes, Refused are back! It was hard to believe when news started spreading of a reunion tour back in 2012. Talks about a new album started to float around, but since their last opus 'The Shape Of Punk To Come' from 1998 it seemed we heard a new rumor every other month. Fast forward nearly 20 years and here we are with a brand new album from the Swedish hardcore rockers praising any ancient god we can think of. 'Freedom' was hinted at when the group dropped the opening cut 'Elektra' a couple of months ago and it was only a taste of what was to come. The band has had a small personnel change, losing a core member and gaining another that left back in 96, but they sound tighter than ever. While 'The Shape Of Punk' truly defined what could have come, they were the only ones that could pull off such a feat and the it never came. However, Freedom sounds like the boys made an album that was just too ahead of its time and it sat shelved for the future when the audience was ready. Much more rock n roll than it is hardcore, the gang still manages to blur the lines between genres but stay true to their distinct sound. Imagine you went to the future, found a sports almanac, and came back to the present knowing who won all the sports games... it is like they did that, only with kicking ass thrown in the mix. Indie exclusive pressing of 1,000 copies on clear vinyl.

• Epitaph Records 2015

reviewed by Rock Lobsta 7/2015