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Live Reviews Music

Refused live at London Forum

Refused,
London Forum
12/8/12

RefusedFinally, ‘The Gig That Would Never Happen’ has arrived. It’s hard to imagine how the Swedish quintet could have emphasised their (arguably premature) demise more strongly than recording a song called ‘Refused Are Fucking Dead’, but it’s amazing what time can heal. Fourteen years later, they’re back, and after incendiary performances at Coachella, Groezrock and Download festivals (amongst others), Dennis Lyxzen’s crew are back in London to play to far many more people than they did in their original incarnation.

London quartet Pettybone are powerful and bleak as hell, and certainly don’t sound like a band on the verge of splitting up. They deserve all the attention they get, but ultimately the crowd are here for one band only.

It’s inevitable that Refused’s set leans heavily on their classic ‘The Shape Of Punk To Come…’ record, but it’s surprising how fresh and relevant these songs sound after all this time; the stop-start riffs of the opening ‘Worms Of The Senses…’ whipping the floor into a frenzy.

The band sound and look fantastic, and set against a simple backdrop with good use of lighting, they’re more than happy to let the songs do the talking. By the time Lyxzen has crouched on an upturned monitor for ‘I’d Rather Be Dead’ and clambered up the Forum’s side staircase for ‘Summerholidays vs. Punkroutine’, the energy levels have gone through the roof – and remain there.

It is, of course, an encore airing of their signature track ‘New Noise’ which truly unites all present, and gives the Forum’s foundations a serious test in the process. Refused are a band who’ve frequently had the ‘legendary’ tag thrown at them in the last decade and a half, and tonight, they more than justify it.

Alex Gosman

Categories
Music News

Black Sabbath and Metallica confirmed for Download 2012

It may be November still but the Download Festival are already pleasing rock fans by announcing two heavyweights will headline the festival in 2012. Metallica have been conformed they will headline on Saturday and play the ‘Black’ album. Let’s hope they leave Lou Reed at home as he is no match for the mighty Black Sabbath whose original line up of Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, Bill Ward will grace the 10th anniversary of the festival!

Download 2012 will take place on the weekend of 8-10th June 2012 at Donington Park. Get your tickets sorted now to avoid missing this one.

Categories
Skateboarding Events Skateboarding News

Death Day announced for Shoreham Bowl on Sunday July 10th

Death Skateboards have announced today that Sunday July 10th will now be christened as Death Day at Shoreham’s concrete bowl. Expect Death Skateboards and Urethane team rider to be present including Benson, Steak, Rhys Grogan, Boots, Calow, Moss, Patrick, Garbett, Questions, Nowik, Sweeney, The Plasterer, Cov Sid and various guests. This should be one hell of a session.

The jam will be followed by Duane Peter’s band the U.S Bombs playing live at The Hydrant, so get your tickets in advance to avoid disappointment on the night. Spread that word.

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