(Edited 1st review, original draft written at 15 years old)
Before I mean to go on, I would just like to make it clear that I'm not a Refused fan-boy, this is the only album I own of theirs and what you're about to read is simply my reaction to this magnificent record after many, many listens.
Track 1.- Worms Of The Senses / Faculties Of The Skull
Track 2.- Liberation Frequency
Track 3.- The Deadly Rhythm
Track 4.- Summerholidays Vs. Punkroutine
Track 5.- Brutist Pome #5
Track 6.- New Noise
Track 7.- The Refused Party Program
Track 8.- Protest Song '68
Track 9.- Refused Are ***ing Dead
Track 10.- The Shape Of Punk To Come
Track 11.- Tannhauser/Deriv"
Track 12.- The Apollo Programme Was A Hoax
1.Worms Of The Senses / Faculties Of The Skull:
This song will strike many people at first play, especially if they are new to Refused. At 7 minutes, it is one of the longest on the album, and also one of the finest. It starts off with a spoken manifesto, and haunting sounds. Once you get into this album completely, this song will reward you as it simply does smack you in the face. Dennis Lxyzen (Vocalist) can get slightly irritating at times with the constant, hardcore screams, but it is all entirely appropriate to show the complete angst on this album. This song being an ideal example. As for the lyrics and the music, well, there is a big political message throughout this album with the words, and the music is immensely fast-paced and hardcore and in this particular song, it would be amazing to mosh to.
2. Liberation Frequency
This song is just as good as the first, except much shorter and a lot easier to get into. It's very surprising as it goes from a well-written, quiet melody to haert-stoppingly heavy one as quick as a flash. The song goes together extremely well and leaves you breathless straight after. Although it is a very good song, it is highly overrated by many major Refused fans.
4. Summerholidays Vs. Punkroutine
Many people claim this their favourite song off this album, and there is a few reasons for this: 1) It gets your adrenaline pumping to extremely high levels 2) It has all the elements of hardcore/punk music and pulls it off extremely well and finally 3) It's simply an excellent song.
6.New Noise
This is THE best song on the entire album, no question. This song takes a traditional punk song, and rips it to pieces, with elements of techno placed around it (Refused are good at adding all kinds of genres to their music but that will come later). The line that gets everyone moving is definitely 'CAN I SCREAM?!?'. Simply IMMENSE. It becomes even more brilliant in each listen and is the reason I bought this album. Pure Hardcore.
8. Refused Are ***in' Dead
This, my friends, will make you want to smash someone's face in. It has all the parts needed in which to make a mosh entirely memorable. I think this is the band taking out all their anger on each other in person within the band. I mean, just look at the name. And people wondered why they broke up...
11. Tannhauser/Deriv"
This is where the array of different instruments really comes into play. It starts off with a Violin and then powerful drums kick in. The Bass line that comes in, is sort of a countdown to the heavy riff that is about to enter in this song. Truly a powerful and significant song off of this album.
12. The Apollo Programme Was A Hoax
Until I listened to the album today for the review, I had always overlooked this song labelling it 'boring' and simply 'not interesting'. But those feelings have changed. This is the song that fully shows how Refused were capable of tieing in many genres into different songs. Dennis sings beautifully and it's an brilliantly jazz-ridden song. Definitely a relaxing and worthwhile tune.
Overall:
Definitely one of my favourite albums, hence why I have chosen it to be my first album to review. Although you shouldn't take my word for it when I have said that it is amazing. I have only reviewed a few songs off the album as I did not wnat to overdo my first review, but don't think these are the only good songs from the record. I reccomend you listen to the whole of this album a couple of times and it will give you an idea of what I've been going on about. It's definitely hard to get into at first but at the end of the day, it's a very enjoyable and hardcore experience.
5/5
