Meshuggah

Meshuggah is a Swedish metal band from Umeå, formed in 1987 and active since then. The group is associated with death metal, djent, metal and progressive metal, and is known for a technical style built on complex polymetric song structures and polyrhythms.

Line-up

Since 2004, the band’s line-up has included Jens Kidman on lead vocals, Fredrik Thordendal on lead guitar, Mårten Hagström on rhythm guitar, Tomas Haake on drums and Dick Lövgren on bass. The broader membership list also includes Niklas Lundgren and Peter Nordin.

Releases and style

Meshuggah has released nine studio albums, six EPs and eight music videos. Their studio albums include Contradictions Collapse, Destroy Erase Improve, Chaosphere, Nothing, Catch Thirtythree, obZen, Koloss, The Violent Sleep of Reason and Immutable. Immutable is released through Atomic Fire Records. The band develops a cult following and influences many later metal acts.

Recognition

Meshuggah gains recognition in the extreme underground metal scene and is cited as an important influence on the late-2000s djent subgenre. Rolling Stone names the band among the ten most important hard rock and heavy metal bands, and Alternative Press describes it as the most important band in metal. The group receives Swedish Grammis Award nominations for Catch Thirtythree and obZen, and a Grammy nomination for “Clockworks” in the Best Metal Performance category.

Live activity

The band performs at festivals including Ozzfest and Download, and undertakes tours such as the obZen world tour and the “Ophidian Trek.”