Refused formed in the early ‘90s in Umeå, a subarctic town in northern Sweden where making music was a way to survive long winters and cultural isolation. Born out of local scene fragmentation, Refused began when David Sandström (ex-Death Metal faction) and Dennis Lyxzén (a local punk staple) came together in 1991. Their early four-track demos were experiments that, while buried, sparked something undeniable. As their other bands dissolved, Refused emerged with explosive energy and intent.

They grew fast, added key members like Kristofer Steen, toured relentlessly, released progressively stronger records, and soon became not just a band but the nucleus of a youth movement—one that was radical, political, and loud enough to attract the attention of Swedish authorities.

Their 1998 album The Shape of Punk to Come was a genre-defying masterpiece that coincided with the band’s sudden implosion during a U.S. tour. The split was sealed with the infamous “Refused Are Fucking Dead” manifesto—part truth, part provocation, part decoy.

In 2012, the band reformed and commenced a reunion tour, and later released further albums Freedom (2015) and War Music (2019).