HinweiseGenre : Alternative / Rap Metal
Country : Sweden
Year : 2007

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Zak Tell (vocals), Bård Tortensen (guitar), Erlend Ottem (guitar), Jocke Skog (keyboards)

A caustic Rap Metal act formed in 1988 by dissillusioned orderlies, singer Zak Tell and keyboard player Jocke Skog, from Rosegrove Hospital. Previous to the formation of the group CLAWFINGER's two guitarists, Bård Torstensen and Erlend Ottem, had played in another local band known as THEO. The Stockholm band's original three track demo, comprising 'Waste Of Time', 'Nigger' and 'Profit Preacher', quickly secured them local radio airplay and consequently brought them to the attention of the MVG label.

CLAWFINGER's first single, 1993's 'Nigger', caused something of a stir, mainly for its prolific use of the title, but is actually an anti-racism statement that turned into a huge hit in the band's home country and brought them to the attention of the masses throughout Europe. Major support slots with ANTHRAX and ALICE IN CHAINS followed, with the addition of BLACK DOG bassist André Skaug and drummer Richard Netterman being employed to complement the live line-up. Recognition for their efforts came with the Swedish Grammy Awards in 1994, CLAWFINGER scoring awards for both 'Best Hard Rock Band' and 'Best Video' categories.

The band's debut album, 'Deaf Dumb Blind', released in April 1993, impressively sold in the region of 400'000 copies. A greater global coverage found the band even reaching South America packaged on the OZZY OSBOURNE headed 'Monsters of Rock' festivals. That same year the band members involved themselves with Rappers JUST D, featuring on a Swedish language cover version of FAITH NO MORE's 'Epic' on the 'Klåfinger' EP. The MVG concern, who had forged links with East West Records throughout Europe, was only too happy to put the band back in the studio for 'Use Your Brain'. The second album, surfacing in 1995, benefitted from a harder hitting production and a heavier edge to the guitars, but lyrically the group was still rather poltical. That same year the band donated a remix of DIE KRUPPS 'To The Hilt' to the 'Rings Of Steel' album.

A self-titled opus emerged in September 1997, charting high in Germany and backed by three singles 'Biggest & the Best', 'Don't Wake Me Up' and 'Two Sides'. CLAWFINGER added Ottar Vigerstol on drums for live work in 1998 and UK gigs in September saw fellow Swedes PSYCORE as opening act.

Japanese editions of the 'Whole Lot Of Nothing' album released in August 2001 bore extra tracks, cover versions of LED ZEPPELIN's 'The Ocean' and PINK FLOYD's seminal 'Shine On You Crazy Diamond'. Although the band had adopted a far more complex approach fans lapped it up, putting CLAWFINGER back into the chart rankings across Europe. Switching tack again, the band opted for a raw, stripped down stance on May 2003’s 'Zeros & Heroes'. Guitarist Erlend Ottem left both the band and the music business in October in order to pursue a career as a software specialist.

CLAWFINGER commenced work on a new album, 'Hate Yourself With Style', in May 2005, signing this new product over to Germany's Nuclear Blast label. Released in November, the album saw initial copies coming with a bonus DVD of the band's performance at the 'Greenfield' festival in Interlaken, Switzerland filmed that June.

In February 2007 the band undertook the "Jägermeister Rock:Liga" German tour alongside LENINGRAD COWBOYS and WE. In April Zak Tell guested on a take on LED ZEPPELIN' 'Heartbreaker' on ELECTRIC EARTH's 'Selling Souls' EP.