Vildhjarta

Vildhjarta is a Swedish progressive metal band from Hudiksvall Municipality. The group forms in 2005 and is associated with djent, metal, progressive metal and thall. It starts with Daniel Bergström, Jimmie Åkerström and Johan Nyberg, with Bergström serving as the main songwriter in the early period.

Style and sound

The band develops a distinctive style built around Meshuggah-influenced rhythms, djent guitar, harmonic minor progressions, jarring enharmonic staccato riffs, reverberant layers of guitar and dual lead vocals. Its songs are written and built up over repeated exchanges between members, with ideas sent back and forth until they become finished tracks.

Career

Vildhjarta builds an early following through short demos circulating online. As interest grows, fans circulate the music on message boards and adopt the word “THALL” as a rallying cry closely linked with the band. The group performs at festivals and shows across Europe, including Euroblast in 2010. It signs to Century Media Records in 2011.

Debut album and name

The debut album, Måsstaden, is a concept album about a hidden, isolated town and is presented in a fable-like style. Its thematic inspiration includes The Jungle Book and Mumindalen, and it receives favourable critical reviews. The band name comes from the Swedish role-playing game Drakar och Demoner; the Swedish word vildhjärta means “wild heart”.

Line-up

The group includes Jimmie Åkerström, Daniel Bergström, Johan Nyberg, Calle Thomér, Daniel Ädel and Vilhelm Bladin.