Interestingly enough, many see The Hives as a ‘2000s band,’ but the fact is they had formed much earlier and had success in their homeland of Sweden in the latter part of the ’90s. Coming together as early as 1993, the band released their debut album Barely Legal in 1997, put out A.K.A. I-D-I-O-T in 1998, and soon had an international opportunity when their label Burning Heart signed a deal with Epitaph Records to distribute their music in the USA. A very compelling story: from there, The Hives put out Veni Vidi Vicious in 2000 and became at the forefront of the popular Garage Rock Revival scene that overtook the early 2000s, alongside others like The Strokes and The White Stripes.
Since those days, The Hives (presently consisting of Vocalist Howlin’ Pelle Almqvist, Guitarist Nicholaus Arson, Guitarist Vigilante Carlstroem, Drummer Chris Dangerous, and Bassist The Johan and Only) found richer success with 2004’s Tyrannosaurus Hives and 2007’s The Black and White Album. Becoming relatively quiet after 2012’s Lex Hives, The Hives made a significant impact with their long-overdue new studio album, The Death of Randy Fitzsimmons, in 2023. As a matter of fact, the album went to number one in Sweden while peaking on charts in other countries, proving there was a hunger for new music from The Hives. Now releasing six studio albums through 2023, The Hives have sold hundreds of thousands of albums and earned a name for themselves as an extraordinary, energetic live band, but return with a new album in 2025 called The Hives Forever Forever the Hives.
A quick turnaround from 2023, clearly, The Hives were inspired to write and record new music, and The Hives Forever Forever the Hives became the final result, released on August 29, 2025, through PIAS. Featuring production from Pelle Gunnerfeldt and Beastie Boys legend Mike D, it all starts with an introduction listing the album name and featuring snippets of music. The music then kicks off with the catchy, driving “Enough Is Enough,” before pushing you forward with “Hooray Hooray Hooray,” which keeps you moving, while “Bad Call” is a fun song that puts a smile on your face.
From here, “Paint A Picture” keeps up the fast pace and invites you out onto the dance floor once more. “O. C.D.O.D.” adds to the chaotic noise before the rhythmic “Legalize Living” slows the tempo a bit, featuring a chorus that is definitely perfect for singing along. Soon, offering an interlude—a brief break—beware: it will not last long! That is because “Roll Out The Red Carpet“ is a firecracker, while “Born A Rebel” and “They Can’t Hear The Music” keep the electricity flowing. Then, with a final sprint, you have “Path Of Most Resistance” and a victory lap with the album’s title track, which is highly addictive.
Overall, The Hives Forever, Forever The Hives feels like a marathon that will not let you sit still for even a second. The energetic, positive vibes make it a total feel-good and party album. Even more exciting is that The Hives spent a bulk of 2025 touring in support of the album, with more dates around Europe through the year before they head to South, Central, and North America in 2026. Until then, enjoy The Hives Forever, Forever The Hives, because Cryptic Rock gives it 5 out of 5 stars.
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