Refused Taking My Advice, Working on New Album

Last month, I wrote a wish list asserting that eight metal bands who had reunited for performative-purposes-only should make new albums. One of those bands was Refused. Said I in all my infinite wisdom:

“The hardcore outfit’s reunion gigs were mega-popular — like, hard to get into popular.  It would seem that, as is the case with their fellow Swedes in At the Gates, Refused’s fan base has increased exponentially since their break-up. So why not take things to the next level?”

And, hey, I’m not claiming credit or anything, but it would appear that Refused are, indeed, now taking things to the next level. You’re all welcome.

According to The PRP, the rumor started as the result of a since-deleted Instagram photo of …And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead bassist Autry Fulbright II with Refused/INVSN vocalist Dennis Lyxzén and this caption:

“in austria tonight for the ahoi pop festival weekend along with st. vincent and this guy’s band invsn which he’s doing between finishing vocals for the new refused album that’s coming out next year”

Presumably, Fullbright deleted the pic when he realized he took the lid off the beans before they were ready to be spilt.

Some fans had already hypothesized that the band were getting ready to either tour or record, because guitarist Jon Brännström announced he’d been fired from the group, and it didn’t make much sense that his bandmates would sack him despite being inactive.

Brännström wasn’t an original member of the group, but he was part of their “classic” line-up, so, honestly, this news is a little disconcerting. I’m slightly worried this album could end up being a Soundgardian case of “be careful what you wish for.” But hopefully not. Sounds like we’ll find out in 2015!