Raised Fist is a Swedish hardcore band formed in 1993, Luleå, Sweden. The name "Raised Fist" came as an idea from the Rage Against the Machine song "Know Your Enemy", where part of the lyrics are as follows: "Born with an insight and a raised fist..."
With influences rooted firmly among bands as Gorilla Biscuits,Youth Of Today and Wide Awake the band started out as firm believers in the old school style. They blasted out their first two excellent releases, the CD EP "You're Not Like Me", and the much acclaimed MCD "Stronger Than Ever". On these recordings the band and mad man, growling Alexander Rajkovic is up for an intense hardcore adventure that has the same spirit and energy stuff as the early Revelation and Boston releases conveys.
Late 1998 Raised Fist came back with their lon
g awaited debut album "Fuel". A record that meets the old style coupled with a more heavy sometimes almost MACHINE HEAD-like metal assault. KERRANG gave "Fuel" four K´s (K K K K) and wrote "...It is a melody-free album of pogo-inducing open chords and Sick Of It All-style Noise. It's not just posturing either, these four men sound as if they really mean it and there isn't a track here that lets up for a second"..." Raised Fist sound like they're spoiling for a ruck, and after hearing "Fuel" you'll be too". (James Cooper).
The second album "Ignoring The Guidelines" (recorded by Daniel Bergstand who has produced MACHINE HEAD and MESHUGGAH among others) was released by Burning Heart Records on May the 26th 2000 and is certainly another reason to believe. Here, RAISED FIST takes their intense hardcore even further. The metal is there, but less prominent. The punk edge, the stomping build-ups and deadly aggressive styled vocals makes "Ignoring The Guidelines" to another great release from this hardcore cult maniacs.
In the fall of 2002, RAISED FIST is releasing their third album, entitled "Dedication". Once again, produced by Daniel Bergstrand. We are given another doe of the extreme and powerful hardcore we have come to know from this band. These guys and their brutal attack are again all over the place, showing total commitment and sincerity to the music they love.
Crank it up real high, and you know why this band is and will continue to be one of the most talked about hardcore-acts in the world.
"Dedication" is an illustration of desperation, in words and music.
The band has become more successful over the years, with its aggressive music and vocals. Every new album seemed to have an even harder edge than its predecessor. As an example of their rise, the band played at the large Scandinavian Roskilde Festival in 2004.
Burning Heart Records, the band's current record label, houses many other Swedish punk and hardcore bands. The band currently consists of five members.
Currently lineup:
Marco - Guitar
Daniel - Guitar
Josse - Bass
Alle - Vocals
Matte - Drums
Discography:
2009 - Veil Of Ignorance
2006 - Sound of the Republic
2002 - Dedication
2001 - Watch Your Step
2000 - Ignoring The Guidelines
1998 - Fuel
1996 - Stronger Than Ever (EP)
1994 - You're Not Like Me (EP)
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