Hypocrisy

Hypocrisy is a Swedish death metal band from Ludvika, Sweden, active from 1990. The group is founded by Peter Tägtgren, who returns to Sweden after spending three years in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in 1990. It develops from a traditional death metal sound into a more melodic death metal style, and its later work also uses a more atmospheric approach.

Style and themes

The band’s early releases are noted for solid death metal songwriting, although they are initially criticised for lacking innovation. As the group matures, it establishes a more distinctive sound and a more introspective lyrical approach. Early lyrics, written by original vocalist Masse Broberg, focus on anti-Christian ideas and Satanism. Later lyrics deal with the paranormal and extraterrestrials, while the album Virus includes themes such as violence, the horrors of reality, insanity, torture, war, drug addiction and emotional strife. End of Disclosure uses conspiracy and anti-Illuminati themes.

Albums and releases

Hypocrisy’s studio albums include Penetralia (1992), Osculum Obscenum (1993), The Fourth Dimension (1994), Abducted (1996), The Final Chapter (1997), Hypocrisy (1999), Into the Abyss (2000), Catch 22 (2002), The Arrival (2004), Virus (2005), A Taste of Extreme Divinity (2009), End of Disclosure (2013) and Worship (2021). End of Disclosure is the band’s twelfth album, and Worship is its thirteenth studio album and first in eight years. The single “Chemical Whore” precedes Worship and is later chosen by Loudwire as the 32nd best metal song of 2021.

Touring and later activity

After twice cancelling a U.S. tour in 2009, Hypocrisy confirms a North American tour for 2010. The tour named “Long Time, No Death” includes Scar Symmetry, Hate, Blackguard and Swashbuckle. From January to March 2010, the band tours Germany, Eastern Europe and Scandinavia, ending in Moscow, and its North American run takes place in May 2010. In 2011 it releases the DVD Hell Over Sofia - 20 Years of Chaos and Confusion, which contains a full concert from the “Long Time, No Death” tour and a documentary about the band. In 2012 the band begins writing new material, and later announces End of Disclosure.

Line-up

The group’s members include Peter Tägtgren, Lars Szöke, Mikael Hedlund, Andreas Holma, Horgh, Masse Broberg and Tomas Elofsson. Horgh leaves the band in 2022 and is replaced by Henrik Axelsson of The Crown.