Refused Announce New Album Freedom For June 2015 Release And Unveil New Song

(Photo Credit: Raymond Flotat)

So far 2015 has been of the year of the comeback, and next up is Swedish punk band Refused. The group will released a new album in June titled Freedom, and the first song off of the album is already available to stream.

The first track off the new album, “Elektra,” was released via a story Pitchfork published on the reemergence. From the very first chords, one wouldn’t never dare think the band got rusty while on hiatus. And if you even had a glimmer of a doubt that it wouldn’t be the same Refused you used to love, the band lets you know right away in this first song: “NOTHING HAS CHANGED!” The sound is different from their last album, but it is by no means a bad thing.

The new album comes as slightly less of shock than the earlier announcement this year of new tour dates. Not only will Refused join Faith No More for a few dates on FNM’s tour, they will also be expanding their own (already sold out) club tour announced in March. The tour additions include two more months of stops, including more U.S. cities as well as Canada and Europe.

Refused had a well-received lifespan from 1991 to 1998. They released their last album, The Shape of Punk to Come, in 1998 before calling it quits. They played a reunion tour in 2012, stopping at festivals worldwide before once again disappearing. They announced their recent resurgence through a press release epically preceded with the line, “Refused Are Fucking Alive.” They also recently let go guitarist Jon Brannstrom, though he states he does not know the reason.

According to the release, the band had been working informally together on new music even years before the 2012 reunion. The members are excited about the chance to exceed expectations.

“It’s not a reunion anymore,” singer Dennis Lyxzén states in the release. “This is one of the most radical things we’ve ever done, both musically and lyrically.”

“Nobody wanted us to fuck with the image of the band who makes a great album and splits up,” drummer David Sandström added. “Nobody wanted us to dilute it. That actually provoked us.”

Freedom is available for pre-order via Kings Road Merch. Pre-orders options include a limited edition CD with a 28-page hardbound book, exclusive artwork with gold foil stamping and a double-sided poster. The album will be released via Epitaph Records on June 30th.

Freedom
01. Elektra
02. Old Friends / New War
03. Dawkins Christ
04. Françafrique
05. Thought Is Blood
06. War On The Palaces
07. Destroy The Man
08. 366
09. Servants Of Death
10. Useless Europeans