Clawfinger is an industrial rap-metal band from Sweden and was one of the earliest bands to adopt this sound. Clawfinger is known for aggressive but melodic music and tackling political and anti-racist themes in their songs.
The band's origin dates back to the summer of 1989 when Zak Tell and Jocke Skog met while working together at the Rosegrove Hospital somewhere in the vicinity of Stockholm. In 1990 they were joined by Bård Torstensen and Erlend Ottem and soon the four realized their similar interests in music. Two of the guitarists previously played in a local band known as Theo. Their free time was invested in exploring the musical world, composing and writing songs while evolving into a band.
Their original demo comprising of three tracks (Waste of Time, Nigger and Profit Preacher) quickly secured them local radio airplay and consequently brought them to the attention of the MVG label. Nigger is an elaborate and profound anti-racism statement that caused quite a stir and was a massive success; it was also released as a single. By the beginning of the 1990s, Clawfinger self-released their debut Deaf Dumb Blind. This sold in over 600,000 copies worldwide and was critically acclaimed in Swedish press. With the addition of André Skaug and drummer Morten Skaug, Clawfinger went on tour and played at countless European festivals including major support slots with Anthrax and Alice In Chains.
The band received innumerable awards among which two home Grammies at the Swedish Grammy Awards in 1994 for Best Hard Rock Band and Best Video. After touring the hell out of their debut album, they went straight back in the studio to record their sophomore effort, Use Your Brain. After the release of this album they went in yet another touring campaign, most notably participating in Ozzy Osbourne's Monsters of Rock Festival in South America and rocking alongside American metal counterparts like Megadeth, Faith No More, and Alice Cooper. Back in Europe they continued their touring campaign by participating at festivals and countless gigs.
