The Hives don’t waste your time. They never have. The Hives Forever Forever The Hives comes out swinging and doesn’t really stop until it’s over. No long intros, no mood-setting nonsense. Just loud guitars, sharp hooks, and Pelle Almqvist running his mouth like his life depends on it. Exactly what you want from a Hives record.
This album feels like the band doubling down on who they are. Short songs. Big riffs. Choruses that stick after one listen. It’s fast, tight, and loud in that way that feels built for sweaty clubs, not headphones and playlists. You can almost see Pelle pointing at the crowd, daring them to keep up.
Compared to The Death of Randy Fitzsimmons, this one feels less like a comeback and more like a victory lap. Randy Fitzsimmons had something to prove. It was the sound of a band coming back after a long break and reminding everyone they still mattered. Songs like “Bogus Operandi” and “Countdown to Shutdown” felt urgent, like the band was clawing their way back into the room.
The Hives Forever Forever The Hives doesn’t have that same tension, but it makes up for it with confidence. The band sounds comfortable, locked in, and totally sure of themselves. The songs don’t feel rushed, even when they’re flying by. Everything hits where it should. If Randy Fitzsimmons was about survival, this record is about control.
Stack it up against their classic stuff and it fits right in. It’s not trying to rewrite “Hate to Say I Told You So” or outdo Veni Vidi Vicious. Instead, it feels like a grown version of that same attitude. The swagger is still there, but it’s sharper now. Less sloppy, more deliberate. They know exactly how long a song needs to be and when to get out.
That’s the real strength of this album. Nothing hangs around too long. There’s no filler, no experiments that don’t land. Just straight-ahead rock songs that do their job and move on. Some bands mellow out with age. The Hives just get tighter.
Is it their best album? Maybe, Maybe not. Is it fun as hell? Absolutely. And at this point, that’s more than enough. The Hives Forever Forever The Hives sounds like a band that knows who they are, knows what works, and doesn’t feel the need to explain themselves to anyone.
Turn it up. That’s the point.We have some amazing things in store for you. Stay tuned for our launch and get ready to experience something truly special.
