At the Gates: Difference between revisions
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* [[Melodic death metal]] | * [[Melodic death metal]] | ||
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| website = {{URL|http://www.atthegates.se/}} | | website = {{URL|http://www.atthegates.se/}} | ||
| current_members = | | current_members = | ||
* [[Anders Björler]] | * [[Anders Björler]] | ||
* [[Jonas Björler]] | * [[Jonas Björler]] | ||
* [[Adrian Erlandsson]] | * [[Adrian Erlandsson]] | ||
* [[Martin Larsson (guitarist)|Martin Larsson]] | * [[Martin Larsson (guitarist)|Martin Larsson]] | ||
| past_members = | | past_members = | ||
* [[Tomas Lindberg]] | |||
* [[Alf Svensson (guitarist)|Alf Svensson]] | * [[Alf Svensson (guitarist)|Alf Svensson]] | ||
* Björn Mankner | * Björn Mankner | ||
* Jonas Stålhammar}} | * Jonas Stålhammar | ||
}} | |||
'''At the Gates''' is a Swedish [[melodic death metal]] band from [[Gothenburg]], formed in 1990. The band was a major progenitor of Gothenburg- | '''At the Gates''' is a Swedish [[melodic death metal]] band from [[Gothenburg]], formed in 1990.<ref name="aae-music">{{cite web |title=At the Gates|url=https://www.aaemusic.com/artist/at-the-gates/ |website=AAE Music: Premier Booking Agency for Bands, Musicians and Artists. |access-date=14 December 2025}}</ref> The band was a major progenitor of the mid-90s [[Gothenburg scene|Gothenburg Sound]]<ref name="swedish-rock">{{cite web |title=At The Gates |url=https://swedenrock.com/band/at-the-gates |website=Sweden Rock Festival |access-date=14 December 2025 |language=sv}}</ref><ref name="louder-sound">{{cite web |last1=Dome |first1=Malcolm |title="There were loads of bands happy to make mediocre records. We never saw this as an option." The story of At The Gates' Slaughter Of The Soul - the album that revolutionised death metal |url=https://www.loudersound.com/music/albums/the-story-of-at-the-gates-slaughter-of-the-soul |website=Louder Sound |access-date=14 December 2025 |language=en |date=16 September 2025}}</ref> alongside [[Dark Tranquillity]] and [[In Flames]]. Prior to their first disbandment in 1996, At the Gates released four albums, with the last being ''[[Slaughter of the Soul]]'' (1995). The album has been seen as a landmark in the mid-1990s [[Swedish death metal]] scene.<ref name="heavymetalabout">{{cite web |url=http://heavymetal.about.com/od/heavymetal101/p/melodicdeathmetalprofile.htm |title=Melodic Death Metal |publisher=[[About.com]] |date=October 2, 2011 |access-date=July 3, 2021 |archive-date=22 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220322024049/https://www.liveabout.com/what-is-melodic-death-metal-1756186 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="swedish-rock"/> After reuniting in 2007, for what was initially a one-off tour in 2008, the band continued performing<ref name="louder-sound-albums">{{cite web |last1=Mills |first1=Matt |title=“Chances are your favourite musicians owe this band a debt of gratitude”: Your essential guide to every At The Gates album |url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/every-at-the-gates-album-explained |website=Louder |access-date=14 December 2025 |language=en |date=18 September 2025}}</ref> and released three additional studio albums: ''[[At War with Reality]]'' (2014), ''[[To Drink from the Night Itself]]'' (2018) and ''[[The Nightmare of Being]]'' (2021). | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
===Early career (1990–1994)=== | ===Early career (1990–1994)=== | ||
At the Gates were formed in late 1990 by former members of the [[Death metal|death]] and [[black metal]] band [[Grotesque (band)|Grotesque]]. They recorded a debut [[Extended play|EP]], ''[[Gardens of Grief]]'', for the [[Dolores Recordings|Dolores]] record label.<ref name="LarkinHR">{{cite book|title=[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music|The Virgin Encyclopedia of Heavy Rock]]|editor=[[Colin Larkin (writer)|Colin Larkin]]|publisher=[[Virgin Books]]|date=1999|edition=First|isbn=0-7535-0257-7|page=36}}</ref> The EP led the label [[Peaceville Records]] to sign the band, and they released their debut album, ''[[The Red in the Sky Is Ours]]'' in 1992.<ref name="LarkinHR"/> | At the Gates were formed in late 1990 by former members of the [[Death metal|death]] and [[black metal]] band [[Grotesque (band)|Grotesque]]. They recorded a debut [[Extended play|EP]], ''[[Gardens of Grief]]'', for the [[Dolores Recordings|Dolores]] record label.<ref name="LarkinHR">{{cite book|title=[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music|The Virgin Encyclopedia of Heavy Rock]]|editor=[[Colin Larkin (writer)|Colin Larkin]]|publisher=[[Virgin Books]]|date=1999|edition=First|isbn=0-7535-0257-7|page=36}}</ref> The EP led the label [[Peaceville Records]] to sign the band, and they released their debut album, ''[[The Red in the Sky Is Ours]]'', in 1992.<ref name="LarkinHR"/> | ||
After | After recording their second studio album, ''[[With Fear I Kiss the Burning Darkness]]'', founding member and guitarist [[Alf Svensson (guitarist)|Alf Svensson]] left the band in 1993,<ref name="LarkinHR"/> to pursue tattoo artistry, graphic novel illustration and his solo electronic-opera-black metal project, Oxiplegatz.<ref name="louder-sound-albums"/><ref name="aae-music"/> He was replaced by former House of Usher guitarist [[Martin Larsson (guitarist)|Martin Larsson]],<ref name="LarkinHR"/><ref name="aae-music"/> who the band knew from underground tape trading. The band continued touring Europe, and were filmed for a ''[[Headbangers Ball]]'' special feature in Nottingham, England in July 1993.<ref>{{cite web |title=At the Gates - Headbangers Ball (1993) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xN9U1wLidmQ |website=YouTube |access-date=15 December 2025 |date=2 June 2010}}</ref> | ||
===Success and breakthrough (1994–1996)=== | ===Success and breakthrough (1994–1996)=== | ||
In 1994, At the Gates released their third album, ''[[Terminal Spirit Disease]]'', which was hailed as a breakthrough album.<ref name="AtTheGatesLucemFero">{{cite web|title="The Flames of the End"? - Guitarist Anders Björler wishes to pen the final chapter in the glorious history of Swedish legends At The Gates|author=Morgan, Anthony|publisher=Lucem Fero|date=November 2007|url=http://www.lucemfero.com/atthegates112007.php|access-date=18 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080206094151/http://www.lucemfero.com/atthegates112007.php|archive-date=6 February 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> | In 1994, At the Gates released their third album, ''[[Terminal Spirit Disease]]'', which was hailed as a breakthrough album.<ref name="AtTheGatesLucemFero">{{cite web|title="The Flames of the End"? - Guitarist Anders Björler wishes to pen the final chapter in the glorious history of Swedish legends At The Gates|author=Morgan, Anthony|publisher=Lucem Fero|date=November 2007|url=http://www.lucemfero.com/atthegates112007.php|access-date=18 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080206094151/http://www.lucemfero.com/atthegates112007.php|archive-date=6 February 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> | ||
The band continued touring and in 1995 released their most commercially and critically successful album | The band continued touring and in 1995 released their most commercially and critically successful album, ''[[Slaughter of the Soul]]'', on [[Earache Records]].<ref name="LarkinHR"/> The album is regarded as their strongest death metal effort, compared to previous albums.<ref name=huey>Steve Huey: [{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r399112|pure_url=yes}} ''Slaughter of the Soul - At the Gates''], accessed on 18 September 2013.</ref> This album firmly rooted the band as one of the leaders of the Swedish metal scene, the "Gothenburg sound" of melodic death metal.<ref>{{Cite web|title = At the Gates {{!}} Biography & History {{!}} AllMusic|url = http://www.allmusic.com/artist/at-the-gates-mn0000607053/biography|website = [[AllMusic]]|access-date = 14 December 2015}}</ref> The band received international attention for the album, gaining them several U.S. tours and heavy rotation of the [[music video]] for "Blinded by Fear" on [[MTV]] in the United States, but despite this international success, Anders Björler departed in 1996.<ref name="LarkinHR"/> According to Lindberg, Björler departure was a result of the pressure of the success of the album, but also of the record company, [[Earache Records]], to go back to the studio.<ref>{{Cite web |title=How At the Gates' 'Slaughter of the Soul' Changed Metal Forever |url=https://www.revolvermag.com/music/how-gates-slaughter-soul-changed-metal-forever/ |access-date=2025-12-17 |website=Revolver |language=en-US}}</ref> The remaining members decided it would be impossible to continue without him, so the band broke up.<ref>[http://www.earache.com/bands/at_the_gates/navigation/biography.html "At The Gates"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303165832/http://www.earache.com/bands/at_the_gates/navigation/biography.html |date=3 March 2016 }}, Earache.com.</ref> | ||
=== | ===Breakup and reunion (1996–2008)=== | ||
When At the Gates broke up in 1996, drummer [[Adrian Erlandsson]], bassist [[Jonas Björler]], and guitarist [[Anders Björler]] formed [[The Haunted (Swedish band)|The Haunted]].<ref name="LarkinHR"/> [[Tomas Lindberg]] went on working with different bands including [[Skitsystem]], [[The Crown (band)|The Crown]], [[Lock Up (UK band)|Lock Up]], and [[Nightrage]]. Erlandsson left in 1999 to join [[Cradle of Filth]]. In 2001, [[Peaceville Records]] released an At the Gates retrospective called ''[[Suicidal Final Art]]''. | When At the Gates broke up in 1996, drummer [[Adrian Erlandsson]], bassist [[Jonas Björler]], and guitarist [[Anders Björler]] formed [[The Haunted (Swedish band)|The Haunted]].<ref name="LarkinHR"/> [[Tomas Lindberg]] went on working with different bands including [[Skitsystem]], [[The Crown (band)|The Crown]], [[Lock Up (UK band)|Lock Up]], and [[Nightrage]]. Erlandsson left The Haunted in 1999 to join [[Cradle of Filth]]. In 2001, [[Peaceville Records]] released an At the Gates retrospective called ''[[Suicidal Final Art]]''.<ref>{{cite web |title=At The Gates - Suicidal Final Art |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/723246-At-The-Gates-Suicidal-Final-Art |website=Discogs |access-date=16 December 2025 |language=en |date=2001}}</ref> | ||
[[File:At The Gates-Live-Metaltown 2011.jpg|thumb|right|At the Gates performing live at [[Metaltown]] Festival in June 2011]] | [[File:At The Gates-Live-Metaltown 2011.jpg|thumb|right|At the Gates performing live at [[Metaltown]] Festival in June 2011]] | ||
On 18 October 2007, At the Gates announced several reunion shows for mid-2008, including Getafe Electric Festival, [[Roskilde Festival]], [[Ruisrock]], [[Wacken Open Air]], [[Graspop Metal Meeting]], [[Sweden Rock Festival]], [[Gods of Metal]], [[Hellfest Summer Open Air]] and [[Bloodstock Open Air]],<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=83023|title = It's Official: At The Gates To Reunite For Select Shows|publisher = Roadrunnerrecords.com|access-date = 29 February 2012|archive-date = 19 November 2011|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111119083848/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=83023|url-status = dead}}</ref> as well as a tour of Japan with [[The Dillinger Escape Plan]], [[Into Eternity (band)|Into Eternity]], [[Pig Destroyer]], and [[Mayhem (band)|Mayhem]] in May 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.extremethedojo.com/ |title=Extreme The Dojo |publisher=Extreme The Dojo |access-date=29 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120311170208/http://www.extremethedojo.com/ |archive-date=11 March 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Throughout July 2008, they toured the US and Canada on what was dubbed the "Suicidal Final Tour",<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.decibelmagazine.com/news_detail.aspx?id=11934|title=Decibel Magazine|website=Decibelmagazine.com|access-date=14 July 2021}}{{Dead link|date=January 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> and played their final UK show at Bloodstock Open Air on Sunday on 17 August 2008. They finished their last show in [[Athens, Greece|Athens]], [[Greece]], with guest [[The Ocean Collective|The Ocean]] on 21 September 2008. The band's performance at Wacken Open Air in 2008 is available on ''[[The Flames of the End]]'' DVD boxed set, which also includes clips of songs from other venues and a documentary that covers the history of the band in its entirety. | On 18 October 2007, At the Gates announced several reunion shows for mid-2008, including Getafe Electric Festival, [[Roskilde Festival]], [[Ruisrock]], [[Wacken Open Air]], [[Graspop Metal Meeting]], [[Sweden Rock Festival]], [[Gods of Metal]], [[Hellfest Summer Open Air]] and [[Bloodstock Open Air]],<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=83023|title = It's Official: At The Gates To Reunite For Select Shows|publisher = Roadrunnerrecords.com|access-date = 29 February 2012|archive-date = 19 November 2011|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111119083848/http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=83023|url-status = dead}}</ref> as well as a tour of Japan with [[The Dillinger Escape Plan]], [[Into Eternity (band)|Into Eternity]], [[Pig Destroyer]], and [[Mayhem (band)|Mayhem]] in May 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.extremethedojo.com/ |title=Extreme The Dojo |publisher=Extreme The Dojo |access-date=29 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120311170208/http://www.extremethedojo.com/ |archive-date=11 March 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Throughout July 2008, they toured the US and Canada on what was dubbed the "Suicidal Final Tour",<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.decibelmagazine.com/news_detail.aspx?id=11934|title=Decibel Magazine|website=Decibelmagazine.com|access-date=14 July 2021}}{{Dead link|date=January 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> and played their final UK show at Bloodstock Open Air on Sunday on 17 August 2008.<ref>{{cite web |title=The history of Bloodstock Open Air 2008 {{!}} Bloodstock |url=https://www.bloodstock.uk.com/events/boa-2008/history |website=www.bloodstock.uk.com |access-date=15 December 2025}}</ref> They finished their last show in [[Athens, Greece|Athens]], [[Greece]], with guest [[The Ocean Collective|The Ocean]] on 21 September 2008.<ref>{{cite web |title=At The Gates, The Ocean @ Gagarin 205, 21/09/08 |url=https://www.rocking.gr/live/At_The_Gates_The_Ocean__Gagarin_205_21-09-08/5022 |website=Rocking.gr |access-date=15 December 2025}}</ref> The band's performance at Wacken Open Air in 2008 is available on ''[[The Flames of the End]]'' DVD boxed set, which also includes clips of songs from other venues and a documentary that covers the history of the band in its entirety.<ref>{{cite web |title=At The Gates - The Flames Of The End |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/3455027-At-The-Gates-The-Flames-Of-The-End |website=Discogs |access-date=15 December 2025 |language=en |date=2010}}</ref> | ||
=== | ===Second era and later albums (2012–2021)=== | ||
[[File:At the Gates 2016231182342 2016-08-18 Summer Breeze - Sven - 1D X II - 0834 - AK8I5737 mod.jpg|thumb|At the Gates live at [[Summer Breeze Open Air]] in 2016]] | [[File:At the Gates 2016231182342 2016-08-18 Summer Breeze - Sven - 1D X II - 0834 - AK8I5737 mod.jpg|thumb|At the Gates live at [[Summer Breeze Open Air]] in 2016]] | ||
On 21 January 2014, At the Gates released a video on YouTube showing a distorted video with lines of text on it, followed by text saying "2014", possibly hinting toward possible lyrics for an upcoming album. On 27 January, the band revealed on Facebook via a new cover photo and profile picture, that their confirmed fifth record would be titled ''[[At War with Reality]]'' and would be released in the fall of 2014 through [[Century Media Records|Century Media]].<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www. | In a 2012 interview, Lindberg stated that the band had learned "never to say never" regarding future activities, suggesting that further releases remained a possibility.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=180822|title = At The Gates Announces New Studio Album, Label Home|publisher = Blabbermouth.net|date = 27 January 2014|access-date = 27 January 2014|archive-date = 13 February 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210213021525/https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/at-the-gates-frontman-on-possibility-of-new-studio-album-i-ve-learned-never-to-say-never/|url-status = dead}}</ref> On 21 January 2014, At the Gates released a video on YouTube showing a distorted video with lines of text on it, followed by text saying "2014", possibly hinting toward possible lyrics for an upcoming album. On 27 January, the band revealed on Facebook via a new cover photo and profile picture, that their confirmed fifth record would be titled ''[[At War with Reality]]'' and would be released in the fall of 2014 through [[Century Media Records|Century Media]].<ref>{{cite web |title=AT THE GATES: Launch of title track from upcoming album, "At War With Reality" |url=https://metal-temple.com/news/at-the-gates-launch-of-title-track-from-upcoming-album-at-war-with-reality/ |website=Metal Temple Magazine |access-date=15 December 2025}}</ref> The album was released on 27 October 2014 in Europe, and on 28 October 2014 for USA.<ref>{{cite web |title=AT THE GATES: "AT WAR WITH REALITY" |url=https://www.nocleansinging.com/2014/10/17/at-the-gates-at-war-with-reality/ |website=NO CLEAN SINGING |access-date=15 December 2025 |date=17 October 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=AT THE GATES' New Album, At War With Reality Release Date Revealed! |url=https://metalinjection.net/upcoming-releases/at-the-gates-new-album-at-war-with-reality-release-date-revealed |website=Metal Injection |access-date=15 December 2025 |date=14 August 2014}}</ref> | ||
When asked whether ''At War with Reality'' was At the Gates' final album or if the band would continue recording, Lindberg replied, "We can't say really. We have no plans of stopping but we've broken promises before so it's best not to say anything."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=108082 |title=Interview With At The Gates Vocalist Tomas Lindberg |publisher=Metalunderground.com |date=18 November 2014 |access-date=23 November 2014}}</ref> In numerous interviews, members of the band expressed interest in doing a follow-up album. In support of the album, the band toured throughout 2015 and 2016, performing at major metal festivals including [[Wacken Open Air]], [[Brutal Assault]], [[Damnation Festival]], and the [[70000 Tons of Metal]] cruise.<ref>{{cite web |title=At The Gates announce worldwide tour dates |url=https://musicjunkiepress.com/metal/at-the-gates-announce-worldwide-tour-dates/ |website=Music Junkie Press |access-date=15 December 2025 |date=6 July 2015}}</ref> | |||
On 8 March 2017, the band released an official statement announcing the departure of guitarist [[Anders Björler]], and confirming that they were working on a follow-up to 2014’s ''At War with Reality'', which they aimed to record and release in 2018.<ref name="6thalbum">{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/AtTheGatesOfficial/photos/a.159494500778541.35446.152054251522566/1369526683108644/?type=3 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/152054251522566/1369526683108644 |archive-date=2022-02-26 |url-access=limited|title=AT THE GATES Statement - March 8, 2017 |publisher=[[Facebook]]|date=8 March 2017|access-date=9 March 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref> In September 2017, Jonas Stålhammar was announced as the new, permanent guitarist,<ref>{{cite web |title=AT THE GATES Recruit Guitarist Jonas Stålhammar (September 11th, 2017) {{!}} News @ Metal Forces Magazine |url=https://www.metalforcesmagazine.com/site/news-at-the-gates-recruit-guitarist-jonas-stalhammar/ |website=Metal Forces |access-date=15 December 2025}}</ref> though he joined too late to be involved in the writing process of the new album.<ref>{{cite web |title=AT THE GATES Begins Recording New Album: 'It's Gonna Be Different' From 'To Drink From The Night Itself', Says JONAS STÅLHAMMAR |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/at-the-gates-begins-recording-new-album-its-gonna-be-different-from-to-drink-from-the-night-itself-says-jonas-stalhammar |website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET |access-date=15 December 2025 |language=en |date=9 November 2020}}</ref> The album, titled ''[[To Drink from the Night Itself]]'', was recorded between November 2017 and January 2018 at Parlour Studios in Kettering, England, with additional recording in Gothenburg, Sweden, and was released through Century Media Records on 18 May 2018.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Annunziata |first1=Chris |title=At The Gates are ready “To Drink From the Night Itself” in May {{!}} Metal Insider |url=https://metalinsider.net/updates/at-the-gates-are-ready-to-drink-from-the-night-itself-in-may |website=metalinsider.net |access-date=15 December 2025 |date=18 January 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=AT THE GATES Complete Recording New Album, 'To Drink From The Night Itself' |url=https://metaladdicts.com/at-the-gates-complete-recording-new-album-to-drink-from-the-night-itself/ |website=Metal Addicts |access-date=16 December 2025 |date=18 January 2018}}</ref> In support of ''To Drink From the Night Itself'', At the Gates had an extensive 2018 tour, performing across Europe, Asia, and North America, including appearances at major metal festivals such as [[Graspop Metal Meeting]], [[Hellfest]], [[Resurrection Fest]], and Tuska, followed by a North American tour with [[Behemoth (band)|Behemoth]] and [[Wolves in the Throne Room]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Munro |first1=Scott |title=At The Gates detail new album To Drink From The Night Itself |url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/at-the-gates-detail-new-album-to-drink-from-the-night-itself |website=Louder |access-date=15 December 2025 |language=en |date=26 February 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=AT THE GATES – North American & more international tour dates revealed! – Eternal Terror Live |url=https://eternal-terror.com/2018/07/29/at-the-gates-north-american-more-international-tour-dates-revealed/ |website=Eternal Terror |access-date=15 December 2025}}</ref> | |||
After completing touring in support of ''To Drink from the Night Itself'', the band continued writing new material. According to Lindberg, creative work on what would become ''The Nightmare of Being'' began during the tour of support of the previous album and continued into 2020,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bowar |first=Chad |date=2021-07-02 |title=At The Gates Interview |url=https://heavymusichq.com/at-the-gates-interview/ |access-date=2025-12-16 |website=Heavy Music HQ |language=en-US}}</ref> with the global [[COVID-19 pandemic]] providing additional time for reflection and refinement of the songs.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zukowski |first=Zenae |date=2021-07-14 |title=Interview: At The Gates vocalist Tomas Lindberg talks new album ‘The Nightmare of Being’ {{!}} Metal Insider |url=https://metalinsider.net/interviews/interview-at-the-gates-vocalist-tomas-lindberg-talks-new-album-the-nightmare-of-being |access-date=2025-12-16 |website=metalinsider.net |language=en-US}}</ref> | |||
At the Gates released their seventh studio album, ''[[The Nightmare of Being]]'', on 2 July 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/at-the-gates-announces-new-album-the-nightmare-of-being/|title=AT THE GATES Announces New Album 'The Nightmare Of Being' |publisher=Blabbermouth.net |date=1 April 2021 |access-date=1 April 2021}}</ref> While the album remains rooted in the Gothenburg metal tradition, it incorporaties a wider range of musical styles and influences, with lyrical ideas influenced by the writings of horror philosophers such as [[Thomas Ligotti]] and [[Eugene Thacker]].<ref>{{cite web|url= https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/at-the-gates-the-nightmare-of-being/|title=At the Gates: The Nightmare Of Being |publisher=Pitchfork.com |date=8 July 2021 |access-date=14 August 2021}}</ref> | |||
===Upcoming eighth studio album and death of Lindberg (2022–present)=== | |||
On 23 July 2022, At the Gates announced the departure of Stålhammar.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kennelty |first1=Greg |title=AT THE GATES Splits With Guitarist JONAS STÅLHAMMAR |url=https://metalinjection.net/news/breakups/at-the-gates-splits-with-guitarist-jonas-stalhammar |website=Metal Injection |date=23 July 2022 |access-date=23 July 2022}}</ref> On 5 October, the band announced that the original guitarist Anders Björler had rejoined the band.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/at-the-gates-announces-return-of-founding-guitarist-anders-bjorler|title=AT THE GATES Announces Return Of Founding Guitarist ANDERS BJÖRLER|publisher=[[Blabbermouth.net]]|date=5 October 2022|access-date=5 October 2022}}</ref> Following Björler's return, the band stated that they had begun work on their eighth studio album.<ref>{{cite web |title=AT THE GATES Cancels All Spring & Summer Shows |url=https://metalinjection.net/news/bummer-alert/at-the-gates-cancels-all-spring-summer-shows |website=Metal Injection |access-date=17 December 2025 |date=23 January 2024}}</ref> | |||
In August 2025, the band disclosed that Lindberg had been diagnosed with [[adenoid cystic carcinoma]] (mouth/pallet cancer) in December 2023, and was receiving treatment, including surgery and radiotherapy.<ref name="blabermouth-lindberg-cancer">{{cite web |title=AT THE GATES Vocalist TOMAS LINDBERG Is Battling Rare Form Of Oral Cancer |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/at-the-gates-vocalist-tomas-lindberg-is-battling-rare-form-of-oral-cancer |website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET |access-date=17 December 2025 |language=en |date=15 August 2025}}</ref> This was the main reason the band went silent, but also slowed down the work on the new album in the following years.<ref name="blabermouth-lindberg-cancer"/> | |||
On 16 September 2025, Lindberg died at the age of 52 following complications related to his ongoing cancer treatment, as confirmed by the band on social media and reported in music press outlets.<ref>{{cite web |title=At The Gates Vocalist Tomas Lindberg Has Died at 52 |website=Loudwire |date=16 September 2025 |url=https://loudwire.com/at-the-gates-tomas-lindberg-dead-52}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Monroe |first1=Jazz |title=At the Gates’ Tomas Lindberg Dies at 52 |url=https://pitchfork.com/news/at-the-gates-tomas-lindberg-dies-at-52/ |website=Pitchfork |access-date=18 December 2025 |date=16 September 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=At the Gates Vocalist Tomas Lindberg Dies at 52 After 'Complications' Related to Cancer: 'Forever in Our Hearts' |url=https://people.com/at-the-gates-vocalist-tomas-lindberg-dead-cancer-at-52-11810861 |website=People.com |access-date=18 December 2025 |language=en}}</ref> According to reports, the band had completed work on their forthcoming eighth studio album before his major surgery, with Lindberg recording his vocal tracks in a single day shortly before the procedure.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Toomey |first=Joshua |date=2025-08-16 |title=Tomas Lindberg Recorded Vocals For New At The Gates While Battling Cancer - Metal Nexus |url=https://metalnexus.net/tomas-lindberg-recorded-vocals-for-new-at-the-gates-while-battling-cancer/ |access-date=2025-09-25 |website=metalnexus |language=en-US}}</ref> | |||
Dark Tranquillity played At the Gates' "Blinded by Fear" in the Swedish part of their "Gallery/Character" tour in October 2025, as a tribute to Tomas Lindberg.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dark Tranquillity - Blinded by Fear (At the Gates cover) - Live at Gothenburg Filmstudion 18.10.2025 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ts_H5vxz5uM |website=YouTube |access-date=20 October 2025 |date=18 October 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-10-20 |title=DARK TRANQUILLITY Pays Tribute To TOMAS LINDBERG With Cover Of AT THE GATES' "Blinded By Fear" Live |url=https://metalinjection.net/video/dark-tranquillity-pays-tribute-to-tomas-lindberg-with-cover-of-at-the-gates-blinded-by-fear-live |access-date=2025-10-20 |website=Metal Injection |language=en-US}}</ref> | |||
At the Gates | == Musical style == | ||
At the Gates' musical style has been described as [[melodic death metal]]<ref name="heavymetalabout"/><ref>{{Cite book|title = Swedish Death Metal|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=jRRvfWp95FIC|publisher = Bazillion Points Books|date = 1 January 2008|isbn = 9780979616310|first = Daniel|last = Ekeroth|page = 222}}</ref>, a style that combines the aggression of [[death metal]] with strong melodic guitar [[Harmony|harmonies]] and comparatively concise song structures. The band "matched brutality with melody, intricate guitar harmonies with feral and ferocious riffs".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Domepublished |first=Malcolm |date=2025-09-16 |title="There were loads of bands happy to make mediocre records. We never saw this as an option." The story of At The Gates' Slaughter Of The Soul - the album that revolutionised death metal |url=https://www.loudersound.com/music/albums/the-story-of-at-the-gates-slaughter-of-the-soul |access-date=2025-12-17 |website=Louder |language=en}}</ref> | |||
The band’s early albums, ''The Red in the Sky Is Ours'' (1992) and ''With Fear I Kiss the Burning Darkness'' (1993), featured a more progressive and experimental way of crafting song of dextrous melodic fluidity and variation,<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=At the Gates - Death Metal [Death Metal Underground: Black Metal, Death Metal, Grindcore, Speed/Power Metal, Thrash and Doom Metal reviews, discographies, mp3 samples, tracklists and images] |url=http://www.deathmetal.org/bands/at_the_gates/ |access-date=2021-04-26 |website=deathmetal.org |language=en}}</ref> incorporating complex arrangements, unusual melodic phrasing, and atmospheric elements uncommon in death metal at the time.<ref name="EkerothBook">{{cite book |last=Ekeroth |first=Daniel |title=Swedish Death Metal |publisher=Bazillion Points Books |year=2008 |isbn=978-0979616310 |pages=278–284}}</ref> Most of these recordings were composed by [[Alf Svensson (guitarist)|Alf Svensson]], who, according to guitarist [[Anders Björler]], blended death and extreme metal with the Swedish melancholy of [[Nordic folk music]] and classical harmony.<ref name="EkerothBook" /><ref>{{Cite book |last=Ekeroth |first=Daniel |title=Swedish death metal |date=2008 |publisher=Bazillion Points Books |isbn=978-0-9796163-1-0 |location=Brooklyn, NY |pages=201f |oclc=256029895}}</ref><ref name="AllMusic_SOTS">{{Cite web |last=Islander |date=2011-08-13 |title=REVISITING THE CLASSICS: "SLAUGHTER OF THE SOUL" |url=https://www.nocleansinging.com/2011/08/13/revisiting-the-classics-slaughter-of-the-soul/ |access-date=2025-12-17 |website=NO CLEAN SINGING |language=en-US}}</ref> | |||
Beginning with ''Terminal Spirit Disease'' (1994) and culminating in ''Slaughter of the Soul'' (1995), At the Gates adopted a more streamlined and aggressive musical direction, focusing on tightly constructed songs, sharp rhythmic precision, and harmonized dual-guitar leads.<ref name="Decibel_SOTS">{{Cite web |last=Bennett |first=J. |date=2005-03-01 |title=At the Gates - "Slaughter of the Soul" |url=https://www.decibelmagazine.com/2005/03/01/at-the-gates-slaughter-of-the-soul/ |access-date=2025-12-17 |website=Decibel Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref> ''Slaughter of the Soul'' in particular has been widely cited as a defining melodic death metal release, with raw sounds, balancing accessibility with extremity.<ref name="AllMusic_SOTS" /> | |||
Lindberg’s distinctive high-pitched, anguished delivery has been identified as a key element of the band’s sound, setting At the Gates apart from contemporaries who favored lower growled vocals.<ref name="Kerrang_Lindberg">{{Cite web |last=Islander |date=2014-09-02 |title=AN NCS INTERVIEW: TOMAS LINDBERG (AT THE GATES, LOCK UP, DISFEAR) |url=https://www.nocleansinging.com/2014/09/02/an-ncs-interview-tomas-lindberg-at-the-gates-lock-up-disfear/ |access-date=2025-12-18 |website=NO CLEAN SINGING |language=en-US}}</ref> Lyrically, the band has been noted for focusing on existential, philosophical, and religious themes.<ref name="Revolver_Lyrics">{{cite magazine |title=At the Gates: The album that changed metal |url=https://www.revolvermag.com/music/how-gates-slaughter-soul-changed-metal-forever |access-date=17 December 2025 |magazine=Revolver}}</ref> | |||
== | == Legacy and influence == | ||
At the Gates | At the Gates are widely considered to be one of the principal architects of the Gothenburg melodic death meatal scene, alongside bands such as Dark Tranquillity and [[In Flames]].<ref name="EkerothBook" /><ref>{{cite web |last1=Lawson |first1=Dom |date=2 May 2017 |title=Unchained Melody: Revisiting the influential Gothenburg sound |url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/unchained-melody-we-revisit-the-influential-gothenburg-sound |access-date=17 December 2025 |website=Louder |language=en}}</ref> Eli Enis of ''[[Revolver (magazine)|Revolver]]'' wrote: "In many ways, At the Gates are ''the'' melodic death-metal band," stating the belief that the band's style had been imitated hundreds, if not thousands of times.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Enis |first=Eli |title=Fan Poll: Top 5 Swedish Metal Bands of All Time |url=https://www.revolvermag.com/music/fan-poll-top-5-swedish-metal-bands-all-time/ |access-date=2025-08-30 |website=Revolver |language=en-US}}</ref> | ||
They are widely regarded as one of the most influential bands in the development of the scene, particularly through the impact of their 1995 album ''Slaughter of the Soul''.<ref name="AllMusic_SOTS" /> Critics have described the album as a blueprint for subsequent melodic death metal acts and a major influence on the emerging metalcore scene of the late 1990s and early 2000s, particularly in North America.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-03-02 |title=11 bands who wouldn’t be here without At The Gates |url=https://www.kerrang.com/11-bands-who-wouldnt-be-here-without-at-the-gates |access-date=2025-12-18 |website=Kerrang! |language=en}}</ref> Steve Huey of [[AllMusic]] called it "a stripped-down, no-frills melodic death album that hit all the basic points of the style".<ref name="huey" /> | |||
Their early work would also influence the [[technical death metal]] scene, but also the [[black metal]] scene - e.g. it inspired [[Darkthrone|Darkthrone's]] ''[[Transilvanian Hunger]]''.<ref name=":0" /> | |||
==Band members== | ==Band members== | ||
{{col-begin}} | {{col-begin}} | ||
{{col-2}} | {{col-2}} | ||
'''Current''' | '''Current'''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.guitarworld.com/features/at-the-gates-the-nightmare-of-being|title=At the Gates on creating new nightmares, orchestral influences and the evolution of an iconic death metal sound|author1=Gregory Adams|date=25 March 2022|website=Guitarworld.com|access-date=16 September 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.solar-guitars.com/artists/anders-bjorler-at-the-gates/|title=Anders Björler - At The Gates|website=Solar-guitars.com|access-date=16 September 2025}}</ref> | ||
* [[Anders Björler]] − lead guitar <small>(1990–1996, 2007–2008, 2010–2017, 2022–present)</small> | |||
* [[Anders Björler]] − | * [[Jonas Björler]] − bass, keyboards, acoustic guitar, backing vocals <small>(1990–1992, 1993–1996, 2007–2008, 2010–present)</small>, drums <small>(1990)</small><ref>{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94yMDCvP4Sc|title=The History Of At The Gates – Under A Serpent Sun (English Subs)|date=9 July 2012|access-date=14 December 2015|via=YouTube}}</ref> | ||
* [[Jonas Björler]] − bass <small>(1990–1992, 1993–1996, 2007–2008, 2010–present)</small>, drums <small>(1990)</small><ref>{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94yMDCvP4Sc|title=The History Of At The Gates – Under A Serpent Sun (English Subs)|date=9 July 2012|access-date=14 December 2015|via=YouTube}}</ref> | |||
* [[Adrian Erlandsson]] − drums <small>(1990–1996, 2007–2008, 2010–present)</small> | * [[Adrian Erlandsson]] − drums <small>(1990–1996, 2007–2008, 2010–present)</small> | ||
* [[Martin Larsson (guitarist)|Martin Larsson]] − | * [[Martin Larsson (guitarist)|Martin Larsson]] − rhythm guitar <small>(1993–1996, 2007–2008, 2010–present)</small> | ||
{{col-2}} | {{col-2}} | ||
'''Former''' | '''Former''' | ||
*[[Alf Svensson (guitarist)|Alf Svensson]] − | * [[Tomas Lindberg]] − lead vocals <small>(1990–1996, 2007–2008, 2010–2025; his death)</small> | ||
*Björn Mankner − bass <small>(1990)</small> | * [[Alf Svensson (guitarist)|Alf Svensson]] − rhythm guitar <small>(1990–1993)</small> | ||
*Cliff Lundberg − bass <small>(1992)</small> | * Björn Mankner − bass <small>(1990)</small> | ||
*Jonas Stålhammar − | * Cliff Lundberg − bass <small>(1992)</small> | ||
* Jonas Stålhammar − lead guitar, keyboards, backing vocals <small>(2017−2022)</small> | |||
'''Session''' | '''Session/touring''' | ||
* Jesper Jarold − violin <small>(1991–1992)</small> | * Jesper Jarold − violin <small>(1991–1992)</small> | ||
* Tony Andersson − bass <small>(1992)</small> | * Tony Andersson − bass <small>(1992)</small> | ||
* [[Dirk Verbeuren]] – drums <small>(2019)</small> | * [[Dirk Verbeuren]] – drums <small>(2019)</small> | ||
* [[Ola Englund]] – bass <small>(2019)</small> | * [[Ola Englund]] – bass <small>(2019)</small> | ||
* [[Patrik Jensen]] – | * [[Patrik Jensen]] – lead guitar <small>(2022)</small> | ||
* Daniel Martinez – | * Daniel Martinez – lead guitar <small>(2022)</small> | ||
{{col-end}} | {{col-end}} | ||
| Line 109: | Line 123: | ||
Alignbars = justify | Alignbars = justify | ||
DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy | DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy | ||
Period = from:01/01/1990 till: | Period = from:01/01/1990 till:01/01/2026 | ||
TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy | TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy | ||
Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:4 | Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:4 | ||
| Line 117: | Line 131: | ||
Colors = | Colors = | ||
id:Vocals value:red legend:Lead_vocals | id:Vocals value:red legend:Lead_vocals | ||
id: | id:Guitar1 value:teal legend:Lead_guitar | ||
id:Guitar2 value:brightgreen legend:Rhythm_guitar | |||
id:Bass value:blue legend:Bass | id:Bass value:blue legend:Bass | ||
id:Drums value:orange legend:Drums | id:Drums value:orange legend:Drums | ||
| Line 141: | Line 156: | ||
bar:Tomas text:Tomas Lindberg | bar:Tomas text:Tomas Lindberg | ||
bar:Anders text:Anders Björler | bar:Anders text:Anders Björler | ||
bar:Jonas text:Jonas Stålhammar | |||
bar:Alf text:Alf Svensson | bar:Alf text:Alf Svensson | ||
bar:Martin text:Martin Larsson | bar:Martin text:Martin Larsson | ||
bar:Björn text:Björn Mankner | bar:Björn text:Björn Mankner | ||
bar:Jonas2 text:Jonas Björler | bar:Jonas2 text:Jonas Björler | ||
| Line 153: | Line 168: | ||
width:11 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(11.-4) | width:11 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(11.-4) | ||
bar:Tomas from:01/01/1990 till:07/05/1996 color:Vocals | bar:Tomas from:01/01/1990 till:07/05/1996 color:Vocals | ||
bar:Anders from:01/01/1990 till:07/05/1996 color: | bar:Anders from:01/01/1990 till:07/05/1996 color:Guitar1 | ||
bar:Jonas2 from:01/01/1990 till:02/27/1990 color:Drums | bar:Jonas2 from:01/01/1990 till:02/27/1990 color:Drums | ||
bar:Björn from:01/01/1990 till:02/27/1990 color:Bass | bar:Björn from:01/01/1990 till:02/27/1990 color:Bass | ||
bar:Alf from:01/01/1990 till:09/15/1993 color: | bar:Alf from:01/01/1990 till:09/15/1993 color:Guitar2 | ||
bar:Jonas2 from:02/27/1990 till:08/31/1992 color:Bass | bar:Jonas2 from:02/27/1990 till:08/31/1992 color:Bass | ||
bar:Adrian from:02/27/1990 till:07/05/1996 color:Drums | bar:Adrian from:02/27/1990 till:07/05/1996 color:Drums | ||
bar:Cliff from:08/31/1992 till:09/30/1992 color:Bass | bar:Cliff from:08/31/1992 till:09/30/1992 color:Bass | ||
bar:Jonas2 from:03/25/1993 till:07/05/1996 color:Bass | bar:Jonas2 from:03/25/1993 till:07/05/1996 color:Bass | ||
bar:Martin from:09/15/1993 till:07/05/1996 color: | bar:Martin from:09/15/1993 till:07/05/1996 color:Guitar2 | ||
bar:Tomas from:03/01/2007 till:11/23/2008 color:Vocals | bar:Tomas from:03/01/2007 till:11/23/2008 color:Vocals | ||
bar:Anders from:03/01/2007 till:11/23/2008 color: | bar:Anders from:03/01/2007 till:11/23/2008 color:Guitar1 | ||
bar:Adrian from:03/01/2007 till:11/23/2008 color:Drums | bar:Adrian from:03/01/2007 till:11/23/2008 color:Drums | ||
bar:Jonas2 from:03/01/2007 till:11/23/2008 color:Bass | bar:Jonas2 from:03/01/2007 till:11/23/2008 color:Bass | ||
bar:Martin from:03/01/2007 till:11/23/2008 color: | bar:Martin from:03/01/2007 till:11/23/2008 color:Guitar2 | ||
bar:Tomas from:12/01/2010 till: | bar:Tomas from:12/01/2010 till:09/16/2025 color:Vocals | ||
bar:Anders from:12/01/2010 till:03/08/2017 color: | bar:Anders from:12/01/2010 till:03/08/2017 color:Guitar1 | ||
bar:Jonas from:03/08/2017 till:07/23/2022 color: | bar:Jonas from:03/08/2017 till:07/23/2022 color:Guitar1 | ||
bar:Adrian from:12/01/2010 till:end color:Drums | bar:Adrian from:12/01/2010 till:end color:Drums | ||
bar:Jonas2 from:12/01/2010 till:end color:Bass | bar:Jonas2 from:12/01/2010 till:end color:Bass | ||
bar:Jonas2 from:12/25/2010 till:end color:Bass | bar:Jonas2 from:12/25/2010 till:end color:Bass | ||
bar:Martin from:12/15/2010 till:end color: | bar:Martin from:12/15/2010 till:end color:Guitar2 | ||
bar:Anders from:10/05/2022 till:end color: | bar:Anders from:10/05/2022 till:end color:Guitar1 | ||
}} | }} | ||
==Discography== | ==Discography== | ||
{{Main|At the Gates discography}} | {{Main|At the Gates discography}} | ||
'''Studio albums''' | '''Studio albums''' | ||
* ''[[The Red in the Sky Is Ours]]'' (1992) | * ''[[The Red in the Sky Is Ours]]'' (1992) | ||
| Line 186: | Line 202: | ||
* ''[[At War with Reality]]'' (2014) | * ''[[At War with Reality]]'' (2014) | ||
* ''[[To Drink from the Night Itself]]'' (2018) | * ''[[To Drink from the Night Itself]]'' (2018) | ||
* ''The Nightmare of Being'' (2021) | * ''[[The Nightmare of Being]]'' (2021) | ||
==Awards & Recognition== | |||
At the Gates were nominated for a [[Grammis]] (Swedish [[Grammy]]) for ''[[Slaughter of the Soul]]'' in 1996, but did not win.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://grammis.se/nominerade/1996/hardrock/|title=Grammis|access-date=14 December 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222134407/http://grammis.se/nominerade/1996/hardrock/|archive-date=22 December 2015}}</ref> | |||
They won the Grammis in February 2015 for the 2014 comeback album ''[[At War with Reality]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://grammis.se/nominerade-amason-smith-thell-och-benjamin-ingrosso-gor-exklusiva-liveframtradanden-pa-grammis/|title=Nominerade Amason, Smith & Thell och Benjamin Ingrosso gör exklusiva liveframträdanden på Grammis|date=23 January 2020|website=Grammisgalan}}</ref> | |||
The band also received the [[Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards#Winners_11|Metal Hammer Golden Gods Inspiration Award]] in June 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theprp.com/2015/06/15/news/2015-metal-hammer-golden-gods-awards-winners-revealed/|title=2015 Metal Hammer 'Golden Gods Awards' Winners Revealed|date=15 June 2015|website=Theprp.com}}</ref> | |||
Three At the Gates albums have been inducted into [[Decibel (magazine)#Hall_of_Fame|''Decibel'' magazine’s Hall of Fame]]: | |||
* ''Slaughter of the Soul'' (2005)<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bennett |first1=J. |title=At the Gates - "Slaughter of the Soul" |url=https://www.decibelmagazine.com/2005/03/01/at-the-gates-slaughter-of-the-soul/ |website=Decibel Magazine |access-date=16 December 2025 |date=1 March 2005}}</ref> | |||
* ''The Red in the Sky Is Ours'' (2014)<ref>{{cite web |last1=Dick |first1=Chris |title=At the Gates - "The Red in the Sky is Ours" |url=https://www.decibelmagazine.com/2014/09/02/at-the-gates-the-red-in-the-sky-is-ours/ |website=Decibel Magazine |access-date=16 December 2025 |date=2 September 2014}}</ref> | |||
* ''Terminal Spirit Disease'' (2023)<ref>{{cite web |last1=Dick |first1=Chris |title=At the Gates - Terminal Spirit Disease |url=https://www.decibelmagazine.com/2023/03/01/at-the-gates-terminal-spirit-disease/ |website=Decibel Magazine |access-date=16 December 2025 |date=1 March 2023}}</ref> | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Latest revision as of 10:29, 31 December 2025
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At the Gates is a Swedish melodic death metal band from Gothenburg, formed in 1990.[1] The band was a major progenitor of the mid-90s Gothenburg Sound[2][3] alongside Dark Tranquillity and In Flames. Prior to their first disbandment in 1996, At the Gates released four albums, with the last being Slaughter of the Soul (1995). The album has been seen as a landmark in the mid-1990s Swedish death metal scene.[4][2] After reuniting in 2007, for what was initially a one-off tour in 2008, the band continued performing[5] and released three additional studio albums: At War with Reality (2014), To Drink from the Night Itself (2018) and The Nightmare of Being (2021).
History
Early career (1990–1994)
At the Gates were formed in late 1990 by former members of the death and black metal band Grotesque. They recorded a debut EP, Gardens of Grief, for the Dolores record label.[6] The EP led the label Peaceville Records to sign the band, and they released their debut album, The Red in the Sky Is Ours, in 1992.[6]
After recording their second studio album, With Fear I Kiss the Burning Darkness, founding member and guitarist Alf Svensson left the band in 1993,[6] to pursue tattoo artistry, graphic novel illustration and his solo electronic-opera-black metal project, Oxiplegatz.[5][1] He was replaced by former House of Usher guitarist Martin Larsson,[6][1] who the band knew from underground tape trading. The band continued touring Europe, and were filmed for a Headbangers Ball special feature in Nottingham, England in July 1993.[7]
Success and breakthrough (1994–1996)
In 1994, At the Gates released their third album, Terminal Spirit Disease, which was hailed as a breakthrough album.[8]
The band continued touring and in 1995 released their most commercially and critically successful album, Slaughter of the Soul, on Earache Records.[6] The album is regarded as their strongest death metal effort, compared to previous albums.[9] This album firmly rooted the band as one of the leaders of the Swedish metal scene, the "Gothenburg sound" of melodic death metal.[10] The band received international attention for the album, gaining them several U.S. tours and heavy rotation of the music video for "Blinded by Fear" on MTV in the United States, but despite this international success, Anders Björler departed in 1996.[6] According to Lindberg, Björler departure was a result of the pressure of the success of the album, but also of the record company, Earache Records, to go back to the studio.[11] The remaining members decided it would be impossible to continue without him, so the band broke up.[12]
Breakup and reunion (1996–2008)
When At the Gates broke up in 1996, drummer Adrian Erlandsson, bassist Jonas Björler, and guitarist Anders Björler formed The Haunted.[6] Tomas Lindberg went on working with different bands including Skitsystem, The Crown, Lock Up, and Nightrage. Erlandsson left The Haunted in 1999 to join Cradle of Filth. In 2001, Peaceville Records released an At the Gates retrospective called Suicidal Final Art.[13]
On 18 October 2007, At the Gates announced several reunion shows for mid-2008, including Getafe Electric Festival, Roskilde Festival, Ruisrock, Wacken Open Air, Graspop Metal Meeting, Sweden Rock Festival, Gods of Metal, Hellfest Summer Open Air and Bloodstock Open Air,[14] as well as a tour of Japan with The Dillinger Escape Plan, Into Eternity, Pig Destroyer, and Mayhem in May 2008.[15] Throughout July 2008, they toured the US and Canada on what was dubbed the "Suicidal Final Tour",[16] and played their final UK show at Bloodstock Open Air on Sunday on 17 August 2008.[17] They finished their last show in Athens, Greece, with guest The Ocean on 21 September 2008.[18] The band's performance at Wacken Open Air in 2008 is available on The Flames of the End DVD boxed set, which also includes clips of songs from other venues and a documentary that covers the history of the band in its entirety.[19]
Second era and later albums (2012–2021)
In a 2012 interview, Lindberg stated that the band had learned "never to say never" regarding future activities, suggesting that further releases remained a possibility.[20] On 21 January 2014, At the Gates released a video on YouTube showing a distorted video with lines of text on it, followed by text saying "2014", possibly hinting toward possible lyrics for an upcoming album. On 27 January, the band revealed on Facebook via a new cover photo and profile picture, that their confirmed fifth record would be titled At War with Reality and would be released in the fall of 2014 through Century Media.[21] The album was released on 27 October 2014 in Europe, and on 28 October 2014 for USA.[22][23]
When asked whether At War with Reality was At the Gates' final album or if the band would continue recording, Lindberg replied, "We can't say really. We have no plans of stopping but we've broken promises before so it's best not to say anything."[24] In numerous interviews, members of the band expressed interest in doing a follow-up album. In support of the album, the band toured throughout 2015 and 2016, performing at major metal festivals including Wacken Open Air, Brutal Assault, Damnation Festival, and the 70000 Tons of Metal cruise.[25]
On 8 March 2017, the band released an official statement announcing the departure of guitarist Anders Björler, and confirming that they were working on a follow-up to 2014’s At War with Reality, which they aimed to record and release in 2018.[26] In September 2017, Jonas Stålhammar was announced as the new, permanent guitarist,[27] though he joined too late to be involved in the writing process of the new album.[28] The album, titled To Drink from the Night Itself, was recorded between November 2017 and January 2018 at Parlour Studios in Kettering, England, with additional recording in Gothenburg, Sweden, and was released through Century Media Records on 18 May 2018.[29][30] In support of To Drink From the Night Itself, At the Gates had an extensive 2018 tour, performing across Europe, Asia, and North America, including appearances at major metal festivals such as Graspop Metal Meeting, Hellfest, Resurrection Fest, and Tuska, followed by a North American tour with Behemoth and Wolves in the Throne Room.[31][32]
After completing touring in support of To Drink from the Night Itself, the band continued writing new material. According to Lindberg, creative work on what would become The Nightmare of Being began during the tour of support of the previous album and continued into 2020,[33] with the global COVID-19 pandemic providing additional time for reflection and refinement of the songs.[34]
At the Gates released their seventh studio album, The Nightmare of Being, on 2 July 2021.[35] While the album remains rooted in the Gothenburg metal tradition, it incorporaties a wider range of musical styles and influences, with lyrical ideas influenced by the writings of horror philosophers such as Thomas Ligotti and Eugene Thacker.[36]
Upcoming eighth studio album and death of Lindberg (2022–present)
On 23 July 2022, At the Gates announced the departure of Stålhammar.[37] On 5 October, the band announced that the original guitarist Anders Björler had rejoined the band.[38] Following Björler's return, the band stated that they had begun work on their eighth studio album.[39]
In August 2025, the band disclosed that Lindberg had been diagnosed with adenoid cystic carcinoma (mouth/pallet cancer) in December 2023, and was receiving treatment, including surgery and radiotherapy.[40] This was the main reason the band went silent, but also slowed down the work on the new album in the following years.[40]
On 16 September 2025, Lindberg died at the age of 52 following complications related to his ongoing cancer treatment, as confirmed by the band on social media and reported in music press outlets.[41][42][43] According to reports, the band had completed work on their forthcoming eighth studio album before his major surgery, with Lindberg recording his vocal tracks in a single day shortly before the procedure.[44]
Dark Tranquillity played At the Gates' "Blinded by Fear" in the Swedish part of their "Gallery/Character" tour in October 2025, as a tribute to Tomas Lindberg.[45][46]
Musical style
At the Gates' musical style has been described as melodic death metal[4][47], a style that combines the aggression of death metal with strong melodic guitar harmonies and comparatively concise song structures. The band "matched brutality with melody, intricate guitar harmonies with feral and ferocious riffs".[48]
The band’s early albums, The Red in the Sky Is Ours (1992) and With Fear I Kiss the Burning Darkness (1993), featured a more progressive and experimental way of crafting song of dextrous melodic fluidity and variation,[49] incorporating complex arrangements, unusual melodic phrasing, and atmospheric elements uncommon in death metal at the time.[50] Most of these recordings were composed by Alf Svensson, who, according to guitarist Anders Björler, blended death and extreme metal with the Swedish melancholy of Nordic folk music and classical harmony.[50][51][52]
Beginning with Terminal Spirit Disease (1994) and culminating in Slaughter of the Soul (1995), At the Gates adopted a more streamlined and aggressive musical direction, focusing on tightly constructed songs, sharp rhythmic precision, and harmonized dual-guitar leads.[53] Slaughter of the Soul in particular has been widely cited as a defining melodic death metal release, with raw sounds, balancing accessibility with extremity.[52]
Lindberg’s distinctive high-pitched, anguished delivery has been identified as a key element of the band’s sound, setting At the Gates apart from contemporaries who favored lower growled vocals.[54] Lyrically, the band has been noted for focusing on existential, philosophical, and religious themes.[55]
Legacy and influence
At the Gates are widely considered to be one of the principal architects of the Gothenburg melodic death meatal scene, alongside bands such as Dark Tranquillity and In Flames.[50][56] Eli Enis of Revolver wrote: "In many ways, At the Gates are the melodic death-metal band," stating the belief that the band's style had been imitated hundreds, if not thousands of times.[57]
They are widely regarded as one of the most influential bands in the development of the scene, particularly through the impact of their 1995 album Slaughter of the Soul.[52] Critics have described the album as a blueprint for subsequent melodic death metal acts and a major influence on the emerging metalcore scene of the late 1990s and early 2000s, particularly in North America.[58] Steve Huey of AllMusic called it "a stripped-down, no-frills melodic death album that hit all the basic points of the style".[9]
Their early work would also influence the technical death metal scene, but also the black metal scene - e.g. it inspired Darkthrone's Transilvanian Hunger.[49]
Band members
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Timeline <timeline> ImageSize = width:900 height:auto barincrement:20 PlotArea = left:100 bottom:80 top:5 right:15 Alignbars = justify DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy Period = from:01/01/1990 till:01/01/2026 TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:4 ScaleMajor = increment:3 start:1991 ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1990
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bar:Tomas text:Tomas Lindberg bar:Anders text:Anders Björler bar:Jonas text:Jonas Stålhammar bar:Alf text:Alf Svensson bar:Martin text:Martin Larsson bar:Björn text:Björn Mankner bar:Jonas2 text:Jonas Björler bar:Cliff text:Cliff Lundberg bar:Adrian text:Adrian Erlandsson
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width:11 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(11.-4) bar:Tomas from:01/01/1990 till:07/05/1996 color:Vocals bar:Anders from:01/01/1990 till:07/05/1996 color:Guitar1 bar:Jonas2 from:01/01/1990 till:02/27/1990 color:Drums bar:Björn from:01/01/1990 till:02/27/1990 color:Bass bar:Alf from:01/01/1990 till:09/15/1993 color:Guitar2 bar:Jonas2 from:02/27/1990 till:08/31/1992 color:Bass bar:Adrian from:02/27/1990 till:07/05/1996 color:Drums bar:Cliff from:08/31/1992 till:09/30/1992 color:Bass bar:Jonas2 from:03/25/1993 till:07/05/1996 color:Bass bar:Martin from:09/15/1993 till:07/05/1996 color:Guitar2 bar:Tomas from:03/01/2007 till:11/23/2008 color:Vocals bar:Anders from:03/01/2007 till:11/23/2008 color:Guitar1 bar:Adrian from:03/01/2007 till:11/23/2008 color:Drums bar:Jonas2 from:03/01/2007 till:11/23/2008 color:Bass bar:Martin from:03/01/2007 till:11/23/2008 color:Guitar2 bar:Tomas from:12/01/2010 till:09/16/2025 color:Vocals bar:Anders from:12/01/2010 till:03/08/2017 color:Guitar1 bar:Jonas from:03/08/2017 till:07/23/2022 color:Guitar1 bar:Adrian from:12/01/2010 till:end color:Drums bar:Jonas2 from:12/01/2010 till:end color:Bass bar:Jonas2 from:12/25/2010 till:end color:Bass bar:Martin from:12/15/2010 till:end color:Guitar2 bar:Anders from:10/05/2022 till:end color:Guitar1
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Discography
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Studio albums
- The Red in the Sky Is Ours (1992)
- With Fear I Kiss the Burning Darkness (1993)
- Terminal Spirit Disease (1994)
- Slaughter of the Soul (1995)
- At War with Reality (2014)
- To Drink from the Night Itself (2018)
- The Nightmare of Being (2021)
Awards & Recognition
At the Gates were nominated for a Grammis (Swedish Grammy) for Slaughter of the Soul in 1996, but did not win.[62] They won the Grammis in February 2015 for the 2014 comeback album At War with Reality.[63]
The band also received the Metal Hammer Golden Gods Inspiration Award in June 2015.[64]
Three At the Gates albums have been inducted into Decibel magazine’s Hall of Fame:
- Slaughter of the Soul (2005)[65]
- The Red in the Sky Is Ours (2014)[66]
- Terminal Spirit Disease (2023)[67]
References
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- ↑ a b Steve Huey: Slaughter of the Soul - At the Gates, accessed on 18 September 2013.
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- ↑ "At The Gates" Template:Webarchive, Earache.com.
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External links
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- Template:Allmusic
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- Pages with script errors
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- Earache Records artists
- Musical groups established in 1990
- Musical groups disestablished in 1996
- Musical groups disestablished in 2008
- Musical groups reestablished in 2007
- Musical groups reestablished in 2010
- Swedish melodic death metal musical groups
- Articles which contain graphical timelines
- Swedish musical quintets
- Swedish heavy metal musical groups
- Musical groups from Gothenburg
- 1990s establishments in Gothenburg and Bohus County