Can I scream?
The first time I ever heard this song, it was the middle of the night. I was in high school, I think, watching MTV when I should have been sleeping. These rabbits started to run around on my screen as the music builds culminating, fades and bursts into that simple question: Can I scream?
At the time, I’m sure I was listening to bands that I’ve since grown out of like Slipknot and Disturbed. Refused, however, is such an influential hardcore band that I cannot and will not ever abandon them or this song.
Though Refused only existed on the music scene for a short time, their poetic form of hardcore punk, imported from Sweden changed the scene. The release that contained this song, The Shape of Punk to Come, promised just that. Had they lasted, we might have never seen Pete Wentz’s face.
The song has staying power. Currently, my favorite ECHL hockey team enters the ice to this track, which inspired me to put their discography on my iPod shuffle even though these screaming vocals are attached to memories of an ex-boyfriend.
In short, this song will pump you up. It might also introduce you to a whole genre you would otherwise write off. Check it out.