CLAWFINGER's first single, 1993's 'Nigger', caused something of a stir, mainly for it's 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 bassist André Skaug and drummer Richard Netterman.

The band's debut album, 'Deaf Dumb Blind', released in 1993, selling in the region of 400'000 copies 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, suefacing 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 upos emerged in 1997. CLAWFINGER added Andre Skaug on bass and Ottar Vigerstol on drums for live work in 1998. UK gigs in September saw fellow Swedes PSYCORE as opening act.

Japanese editions of the 'Whole Lot Of Nothing' album released in December 2001 bore an extra track, a version of PINK FLOYD's seminal 'Shine On You Crazy Diamond'. Guitarist Erlend Ottem left both the band and the music business in October of 2003 in order to pursue a career as a software specialist. CLAWFINGER commenced work on a new album, 'Hate Yourself With Style', in May of 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 in June 2005.

(Source: www.rockdetector.com)