Swedish hardcore punk band Refused brought some new noise to a sold out crowd at the Observatory in Santa Ana, CA. The band recently announced Freedom (June 30, Epitaph Records), the follow-up to 1998’s momentous The Shape of Punk to Come. Dennis Lyxzén and the boys didn’t waste any time delving into new material opening their set with the album’s lead single “Elektra.” The Swedes then gave the crowd an onslaught of hits from their previous work, “Refused Party Program,” “Rather Be Dead” and “Liberation Frequency” were all received with mosh pits and stage dives. Lyxzén didn’t hold anything back as he screamed and danced his way throughout the entire set. The band’s encore consisted of earth rattling tracks “New Noise” and “Worms of the Senses/Faculties of the Skull.”

Photos for mxdwn by Owen Ela

Photos for mxdwn by Owen Ela