“His influence on heavy music is timeless”

Tributes have been paid following the death of At The Gates frontman Tomas Lindberg.

The death of the 52-year-old Swedish singer was announced today (September 16) by former Opeth vocalist, David Isberg. He shared a collection of photos of Lindberg and wrote some of his lyrics in the caption: “It is cold out here/ And lonely is my journey/ I walk the trail of broken souls/ The darkest path through infinity.”

News of the passing was then confirmed by Arch Enemy guitarist Michael Amott. The two bands are closely tied as Arch Enemy drummer Daniel Erlandsson is the brother of At The Gates’ drummer, Adrian Erlandsson.

“I first met him when he was 15 and I was 18 — just two kids completely dedicated to underground music,” Amott wrote. “Life took us in different directions, but we’d bump into each other from time to time. Reconnecting properly in 2019 when we toured together was really special. Today we’ve lost one of the true OGs of the Swedish death metal scene.”

Lindberg had been diagnosed with adenoid cystic carcinoma – a cancer of the mouth and pallet – in December 2023, but did not publicly share the news until this year. Last month it was revealed that the diagnosis had worsened, and he was “being closely monitored around the clock” (via Louder).

In his statement that he penned back in March but didn’t make public until August, he said that 2025 had “been a very tough year” due to the health issues, and that he would be undergoing “some form of chemotherapy to keep the cancer in check”.

Among those paying tribute is Opeth frontman Mikael Åkerfeldt, who shared, “It’s with overpowering shock that I write this, having just received the news that he has passed on.” He went on to recall his time meeting Lindberg in the ‘90s and being “blown away” by his performances.

“Tomas, my friend. You were a pioneering musician. A fantastic frontman and singer. A lovely human being! You’ve always had my endless respect. A respect that will flow effortlessly, even now that you’re no longer with us.”

Peaceville Records took to X/Twitter to share: “We extend our condolences upon hearing of the passing of At The Gates’ Tomas Lindberg, our deepest sympathies to those near & dear. Greatly gifted writer, fiercest of vocalists making an indelible mark on Death Metal forever, gone too soon to ‘join with the pulse of the universe’.”

Japanese band MONO shared a picture with Lindberg and wrote: “We’re saddened to hear about the passing of Tomas Lindberg from At The Gates today. When he curated Roadburn Festival in 2019, he kindly invited us to perform and we became friends. Thank you for the love, and our sincere condolences go to his family and loved ones. ATG forever.”

We extend our condolences upon hearing of the passing of At The Gates’ Tomas Lindberg, our deepest sympathies to those near & dear. Greatly gifted writer, fiercest of vocalists making an indelible mark on Death Metal forever, gone too soon to “join with the pulse of the universe” pic.twitter.com/OxNGB0Zraw

— Peaceville Records (@PeacevilleRecs) September 16, 2025

We’re saddened to hear about the passing of Tomas Lindberg from At The Gates today. When he curated Roadburn Festival in 2019, he kindly invited us to perform and we became friends. Thank you for the love, and our sincere condolences go to his family and loved ones. ATG forever. pic.twitter.com/UhUnwDUmZO

— MONO (Japan) (@monoofjapan) September 16, 2025

Unearth shared a touching tribute too, writing on X: “RIP Tomas Lindberg. Without him and At The Gates, metal would not sound the same. His influence on heavy music is timeless, shaping the NWOAHM and metalcore we play today. Unearth is forever grateful. Condolences to his bandmates, friends & family.”

Find more tributes below.

RIP Tomas Lindberg. Without him and @Atthegates_Swe, metal would not sound the same. His influence on heavy music is timeless, shaping the NWOAHM and metalcore we play today. Unearth is forever grateful. Condolences to his bandmates, friends & family. pic.twitter.com/YWrNDG6O1Y

— UNEARTH (@Unearthofficial) September 16, 2025

Shocked and saddened to hear about Tomas Lindberg. A really nice guy taken far too soon. 🙁 #atthegates

— 𝐍𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐦𝐞𝐬 (@NickHolmesPL) September 16, 2025

This is terrible news. Tomas Lindberg was an A-1 indisputable metal icon and legend w a perfect voice. A crust punk that changed the entire landscape of heavy music. So glad I got to see At The Gates a few times and he’s definitely one of our generation’s best metal frontmen. RIP pic.twitter.com/4ZazRYQMJw

— Myke C-Town Ⓥ (@mykectown) September 16, 2025

Forever remembered for his art, friendship, and inspiration! RIP to the best to ever do it, Tomas Lindberg💥 @AtthegatesGBG pic.twitter.com/Ok5fOkrA5U

— DARKEST HOUR (@darkesthourrock) September 16, 2025

Rest In Peace Tomas”Tompa”Lindberg. Another Death Metal Legend gone to soon. Great human being and vocalist. pic.twitter.com/IVPXDcTahi

— Malevolent Creation Official (@PhilFasciana) September 16, 2025

Lindburg co-founded the Swedish metal pioneers At The Gates with guitarist Alf Svensson in Gothenburg in 1990 after the breakup of their previous band, Grotesque. They shared their debut EP ‘Gardens Of Grief’ in 1991 and debut album ‘The Red In The Sky Is Ours’ the following year.

Their sophomore album, ‘With Fear I Kiss The Burning Darkness’, arrived in 1993, and that same year saw Svensson replaced by guitarist Martin Larsson. This line-up released ‘Terminal Spirit Disease’ in 1994 and ‘Slaughter Of The Soul’ in 1995, before splitting up in 1996.

Lindberg then performed with other groups including Disfear, Skitsystem, and Lock Up, and reunited with At The Gates in 2007 to release a further three albums, with the last arriving in 2021. Outlets including Louder report that he completed recording vocals for another album with the group before his death.

Outside of music, the singer also worked as a social studies teacher to English-speaking students, and joked in a 2014 interview that his students were not fans of his band. “They are not into heavy metal music but they are aware of what I do,” he told Cryptic Rock.

“They see the Facebook likes and the YouTube hits. My students are actually about 80 percent Muslim immigrants and they are not into the music, but they think it is cool.”

You can view the original article HERE.