Starting as a young Swedish version of SoCal punkpop (fast and melodic, with some ska thrown in), they really learned the craft of writing catchy melodies.
They mix modern technology with black metal, to an unusual effect. Their obsession with evil and all things Hell is well-founded, if a bit laughable at times.
While I missed McRad at the time, they played with Minor Threat, JFA, Agnostic Front, Dag Nasty, Corrosion of Conformity, and plenty of others. Old but valid.
As Friends Rust have moved away from the Hot Water Music-cum-Avail type of emo hardcore and into the more mature style of Dag Nasty, and all for the better.