Refused

Refused demand, "We want the airwaves back. We don't just want airtime. We want all the time, all of the time." Mixing the intensity of Minor Threat and the complexity of Fugazi, Refused take no prisoners in any confrontation. Like no hardcore before, these Swedes perfectly blend styles from across the board -- techno, jazz, pop, metal -- into their distinct, ripping hardcore sound. The vocals go from raw screaming to a smooth crooning with eerie precision. The music pushes boundaries explored by few bands; this is the hardcore sound of tomorrow. While their music is so absolutely powerful -- an aural blitzkrieg that pounds you senseless -- their politics are every bit as strong. They disbanded in 1998, but reunited in 2012.