As an aficionado of both metal and rap, when I came across the title of this album alongside the label “rap metal,” I thought, “I have been looking for this mixture all my life!” Naturally, I devoured it and wrote a review. The Swedish CLAWFINGER are credited as one of the most representative bands in the genre, with a career spanning since the early ’90s, and they just returned from a brief (pun intended) 18-year hiatus. Long-term breaks seem fruitful, as “Before We All Die” effectively intertwines the best of rap and metal music. Perhaps being away for such a long time set them apart from the younger generations, but this album will put them back on the metal music map. “Before We All Die” just came out on February 20th, 2026, via Perception.
CLAWFINGER are already famous for addressing hard questions in their songs, such as racism, societal inequalities, and war. This time, the band channels their anger into more personal themes, including quiet failures, striving for perfection as adults, and maintaining sanity amid chaos. “Before We All Die” is a whirlwind of energy that bridges hip-hop and metal in brief, high-energy songs, so you can expect it to be very upbeat, with no breaks, ballads, or instrumental intros on the tracklist. It has been some time since I have encountered this style of metal music, as my recent album selections have consisted of fewer compositions with extended track lengths. If you prefer the latter type of arrangement in metal, “Before We All Die” might not be too appealing, but if you need a stamina punch, this album is definitely your thing!
“Before We All Die” opens strongly with “Scum,” one of their previously released singles, showcasing a perfect blend of urban sounds and the rapid tempos of metal music. From the very beginning, you know what the deal is: lyrics that deliver all their anger while blasting hip-hop beats. The vibe keeps moving with songs equally as powerful, such as “Fear You Down,” “Linked Together,” and “Big Brother,” which enact a grungy atmosphere with heavy guitar riffs. Conversely, “A Perfect Day,” “A Fucking Disgrace,” and “Before We All Die” incorporate influences beyond the traditional metal genre, including electronic elements, turntable effects, and acoustic guitar arrangements reminiscent of country music. These combinations produce imagery parallel to street breakdancing sessions.
Special mention should be made to “Going Down (Like Titanic),” their latest single. It is energetic, loud, and fast-paced, and I can easily see it as a sing-along anthem at festivals. Turntable sounds, which are central to hip-hop culture, play an important part in this track, making it an excellent example of rap metal. All songs in the album have this fast-paced character, but “Going Down (Like Titanic)” easily surpasses the quality of the rest. Similarly, “Kill The Dream” stands out in the tracklist, with CLAWFINGER addressing the military occupation of Palestine by Israel in both the lyrics and the introductory audio. “Kill The Dream” primarily serves as a call to uplift the voices of children in armed conflicts. I applaud CLAWFINGER for speaking up about challenging truths that most artists tend to avoid expressing openly.
This album got me wondering if the lines between music genres are fading. “Before We All Die” sometimes feels like hip-hop, while other moments deliver that intense metal sound. Genres are not fixed—they’re constantly mixing and evolving, even when they seem completely different. We’ve already embraced styles like rap metal, pop metal, and jazz metal, and it looks like even more hybrids are on the way. I suggest approaching this album with an open mind and simply enjoying what it has to offer. Whether you crave the wild energy of metal or want to experience hip-hop with a heavier twist, give it a listen! You’ll understand why CLAWFINGER remains relevant and continues to make waves.
Written by Hector Sanchez
TRACKLIST
- Scum
- Ball & Chain
- Tear You Down
- Big Brother
- Linked Together
- A Perfect Day
- Going Down (Like Titanic)
- You Call Yourself a Teacher
- A Fucking Disgrace
- Kill The Dream
- Environmental Patients
- Before We All Die
LINEUP
Zak Tell | Vocals
Bård Torstensen | Guitars, Keyboards, Backing vocals
Jocke Skog | Keyboards, Guitars, Bass, Programming, Backing Vocals
Mické Dahlén | Drums
André Skaug | Bass
LABEL
Perception
LINKS
