Clawfinger

Clawfinger is a rap metal and industrial metal group from Stockholm, Sweden, active from 1989 to the present. It forms around the meeting of Zak Tell and Jocke Skog at the Rosenlund Hospital in the summer of 1989. In 1990 they are joined by the Norwegian guitarists Bård Torstensen and Erlend Ottem, who also work at the hospital. Torstensen and Ottem previously play together in Theo in Arendal, Norway.

Style and themes

The group is known for aggressive but melodic music and for songs that address political and anti-racist themes. It is described as one of the earliest bands to adopt this rap metal sound. Its lyrics often carry a socio-political focus.

Early releases and recognition

Clawfinger’s early three-track demo, including Waste of Time, Nigger and Profit Preacher, gains local radio play and brings the band to the attention of the MVG label. Nigger, presented as an anti-racism statement, becomes a significant success and is also issued as a single. The band self-releases its debut album, Deaf Dumb Blind, at the beginning of the 1990s. The album sells more than 600,000 copies worldwide and receives strong critical attention in the Swedish press.

With the addition of André Skaug and drummer Morten Skaug, the band tours widely across Europe and appears at major festivals, including support slots with Anthrax and Alice in Chains. At the Swedish Grammy Awards in 1994, it receives two awards: best hard rock band and best music video.

Albums and touring

After touring, the band records Use Your Brain, then continues touring, including appearances at Ozzy Osbourne’s Monsters of Rock Festival in Brazil and Chile alongside Megadeth, Faith No More and Alice Cooper. Its self-titled album, Clawfinger, follows in 1997. On that record, Two Sides broadens the band’s sound with female choir vocals and a Middle Eastern influence.

A Whole Lot of Nothing appears in 2001 and places greater emphasis on distortion and synthesizers. Zeros & Heroes follows in 2003 and draws controversy in the United States because Step Aside criticises George W. Bush and post-9/11 US military politics. Hate Yourself With Style is released in 2005 and continues the more melodic hard rock direction, while removing the keyboards that feature on A Whole Lot of Nothing. Life Will Kill You appears in 2007 and includes the singles Prisoners, The Price We Pay and Little Baby.

Other connections

Clawfinger tours with Rammstein at various points in its career. During the Mutter tour, the two bands perform Pet Sematary by the Ramones together at several dates and dedicate it to Joey Ramone; one of these performances appears on the Ich Will single. Both bands also work with Swedish producer Jacob Hellner.