Published: July 2, 2025
Photo credit: Peter Bjöns
Swedish rap metal pioneers CLAWFINGER are back with Scum, a hard-hitting new single that marks their powerful return, blending sharp riffs, bold lyrics, and their signature socio-political punch.
CLAWFINGER are back. Not to save the world, but to shout unapologetically while it burns. Their new single 'Scum' is a blistering punch of punk-rap fury - loud, raw, and seething with intent. It marks the return of the pioneering crossover band at their most direct, furious, and unfiltered in years.
"'Scum' is a raw, loud, and brutally honest punk rap anthem that goes straight for the throat," says singer Zak Tell. "It's aimed at the kind of guy who's selfish, sexist, full of himself and somehow still talking. With sharp lyrics and a beat that hits like a punch, 'Scum' says what we're all thinking about that one guy we all wish would just vanish from the face of the earth. It's angry and it's dark. If you've ever wanted to spit in someone's face but lacked the upper-body strength or social permission, this song's for you."
"Scum" is out now via PERCEPTION - A Division of Reigning Phoenix Music. Stream it on all platforms: click here
After nearly three decades of shaking stages and speaking truth through distortion and rage, CLAWFINGER return sharper than ever - still defiant and still pulling no punches. The band themselves sum it up best:
"Oh, here we are. Still standing. Still loud. Still as silly as ever. A group of well-aged guys with guitars and a loud love for everyone who still shows up, sings along, and screams their lungs out with us. Thank you all from the bottom of our loud hearts. Now go check the live dates below, because yes, we're hitting the road again. And yes, you're coming."
CLAWFINGER live:
02.07.2025 DE Ballenstedt - Rockharz Open Air *SOLD OUT*
04.07.2025 DE Irslingen - Wolfweez Festival
05.07.2025 CZ Velké Mezií?í - Fajtfest
19.07.2025 DE Niedergörsdorf - Motorcycle Jamboree
31.07.2025 DE Wacken - Wacken Open Air *SOLD OUT*
08.08.2025 PL Gdansk - Rockowizna Festival
22.08.2025 PL Poznan - Rockowizna Festival
23.08.2025 DK Morud (Fyn) - Mejerhell
29.08.2025 PL Krakow - Rockowizna Festival
30.08.2025 HU Alsóörs - Tábor Fesztivál
06.09.2025 DE St. Goarshausen - 30 Jahre IN EXTREMO
13.09.2025 BG Plovdiv - Rebel Rebel Festival
CLAWFINGER are considered pioneers of European rap-metal. Formed in Stockholm in the early 1990s, the Swedish-Norwegian band made an explosive debut with Deaf Dumb Blind (1993), blending aggressive guitar riffs with politically charged lyrics and rap vocals. The album sold over 600,000 copies worldwide – more than 250,000 in Germany alone – and won a Swedish Grammis award in the Hardrock/Metal category.
CLAWFINGER's follow-up Use Your Brain (1995) continued their success with chart placements across Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Sweden. Over the years, they released seven studio albums including A Whole Lot of Nothing, Zeros & Heroes, Hate Yourself with Style, and Life Will Kill You, selling over 1.5 million records worldwide. Known for their direct, riff-driven sound and strong political stance, CLAWFINGER address topics such as racism, political delusion, drug policy, environmental destruction, and social inequality. In the 1990s, they toured intensively with acts like ALICE IN CHAINS, MEGADETH and FAITH NO MORE and appeared at major festivals including Rock am Ring, Roskilde, and Monsters of Rock in South America.
After a brief hiatus, the band returned in 2014 and has since released new singles like "Save Our Souls" (2017) and "Environmental Patients" (2022). In 2025, Clawfinger signed a new label deal with Perception, with more music on the way – still as loud, sharp, and uncompromising as ever.
CLAWFINGER are:
Zak Tell | vocals
Jocke Skog | guitar, keyboards
Bård Torstensen | guitars
André Skaug | bass
Micke Dahlén | drums
