When you look at the history and development of punk rock music it’s easy to reference some of the most iconic albums throughout it’s forty year run– there is of course what I refer to as The Holy Trinity of Punk Albums (Ramones self-titled debut, The Clash’s London Calling, and Sex Pistols’ Never Mind The Bollocks) which started it all, the timelessness of NOFX who carried the genre through multiple decades, the pop culture behemoth of Blink-182 and Green Day which made the genre commercially accessible, and bands like Bad Religion and Black Flag which straddled somewhere in between.
Somewhere in the 90’s though there was an album which almost single-handedly changed the course of punk music forever, one of those albums that went down in history as “your favorite punk band’s favorite punk rock album”. That album is Refused’s The Shape of Punk To Come (a cheeky reference to Ornette Coleman’s 1959 album The Shape of Jazz To Come) which redefined the boundaries of punk rock. Released in 1998, it captures the raw energy of hardcore while seamlessly incorporating elements of jazz, electronic, and experimental music, leveraging lead singer Dennis Lyxzén’s passionate vocals, which oscillate between furious screams and haunting melodies, and left perfectly complemented by the intricate guitar work and thunderous rhythm section. The Swedish band showcases a relentless critique of societal and political issues, delivered with an intensity that is both exhilarating and thought-provoking, and the entire album’s production sounds fat and massive.
But what truly sets The Shape of Punk to Come apart is its fearless experimentation. The incorporation of orchestral strings, unconventional time signatures, and electronic elements carry a myriad of surprises around every corner, while still maintaining the urgency and aggression that punk is known for. The album’s legacy is evident in its influence on countless bands that followed, proving that punk can be both a vehicle for rebellion and a canvas for artistic innovation. It’s a must-listen for any fan of hardcore or punk rock.
Standout Songs: “Worms Of The Senses/Faculties Of The Skull”, “The Deadly Rhythm”, “Summerholidays Vs. Punkroutine”, “New Noise”, “The Shape of Punk to Come”
