REFUSED

This guy had a massive heart attack in his hotel room 10 months ago, you wouldn’t of known it by his performance tonight.

I had a decision to make tonight as to which show I should attend in Vancouver.  There was a massive deathcore show with Brand of Sacrifice, 200 Stab Wounds, Alluvial and headliner White Chapel with new record just released.  The other choice which is right across the street at the Vogue Theatre, was to see Actors, Quicksand and Refused.   White Chapel have lots of years left in them yet, and who knows, they could be back sooner than later. However, my logic prevailed as this was going to be Refused’s last show in Vancouver, ever, and I have never seen them live.   I would have to be out of my mind not to get into this one as these hardcore punk rockers are definitely the bigger deal.

Based in Umea Sweden, the band has been around since 1991, but they have had their share of breakups since then, with 1998 being just about the death knell for the band.   Oddly, that year they released one of their best known albums called The Shape of Punk to Come which is now 25 years old and the most known album in the 5 album discography.    They reunited in 2012, then hiatus, then 2015 they resumed as a band.   However, last June lead singer Dennis Lyxzén had a heart attack last June (2024), so they decided to pack it in and have “one more” tour called “Refused are Fucking Dead”.   Luckily, we get a tour stop in Vancouver and thereafter there are a few stops left.

The band itself, is pretty much the same that was back in the 90’s with Dennis Lyxzén (vocals), David Sandström (drums), Magnus Flagge (bass) with only real difference with addition in 2019 of Mattias Bärjed on guitar.

If you were thinking “play music not politics”, then this is definitely not the show you should’ve chose this night.   Dennis has no qualms about talking politics and the shitstorm that is going on in the world at the moment.   But you’d have to be completely oblivious to punk or hardcore as that is mostly what they sing about.  Other things he would talk about is the history of Refused, “we really wanted to be a New York hardcore band, but that didn’t quite go the way we wanted”.  He also got into how uncaring billionaires create distractions for the real issue of class or trans rights but in the “end the real problem is them”.   Thus, the backdrop that says “THIS IS WHAT OUR RULING CLASS HAS DECIDED WILL BE NORMAL”.  They definitely have that hardcore edge built in, and you have to appreciate their style and voracious sound.

“Circle Pit”, well here I thought he was trying to get the SOLD-OUT crowd assembled but they got into the actual “Circle Pit” song.  Vancouver didn’t disappoint as the pit was quite crunchy with lots of slamming and bouncing.   I saw a few ladies with mascara running down their cheeks in glee after the show from being in that quagmire of human flesh.

Song 12, we got another from the Shape of Punk to Come with “The Deadly Rhythm”.  That one got really interesting during the slow part when Mattias does some “Reign in Blood” by Slayer.   That sounded a little jangly to me on a Stratocaster with single coil pickups, but nonetheless it was a fun piece inserted that got the audience whipped up further.

Finally, the song I have been awaiting all evening was the explosive “New Noise”, again from the Shape of Punk to Come (they played 8 off that album this night).  It did not disappoint, as it was just as hard hitting as the album and the fans sang along through much of it (and many of the other songs this night).  Characterized by Dennis’s screaming and Mattias’s heavy distorted guitar riffs, it’s a real punch in the face to listen to and live it does not disappoint either.  They ended the show with an encore with “It’s Not O.K” and “Worms of the Senses/Faculties of the Skull”.

It’s really hard to believe that this was their last show here in Vancouver.   The band is still putting on a volatile performance that is really indicative to punk or hardcore.  You definitely would not know that Dennis had a heart attack 10 months ago with his engaging performance with him dancing and prancing all over the stage.   Along with his seemingly unfiltered commentary which oozes the punk attitude that seems to be missing the ‘dangerous’ in most bands.  Rock solid playing from the entire band. I am hoping this is one of those bands that re-emerge again (as they have a few times in the past) but Dennis is now 52 years young, and announced during this night that this is indeed the last we see of Refused.  Could this be?  I mean, they can still send it musically and is the world better without them?  As I chin wag and think about bands that have done this, only to be pried back out on to the stage it’s hard to phantom.  Maybe they have one off shows, or albums in the future?  Who knows?  I just know I saw a killer show tonight.