The country of Sweden has always been a hotbed of heavy metal, launching the careers of some of the most successful metal bands. There were so many amazing bands to choose from that great groups such as Bathory, Dissection, Hammerfall and many others didn't make the list. Here are the top 10 metal bands that hail from Sweden, as selected by the About Guide To Heavy Metal, Chad Bowar.:: source
1. Opeth
Not only are they the best band in Sweden, Opeth ranks right up there in the entire metal genre. They are an extremely diverse group, mixing death metal with many other styles, and even using acoustic instruments in some of their songs. The vocals are also diverse, and the lyrics are exceptional.
Recommended album: Ghost Reveries (2005)
2. In Flames
Even with multiple lineup changes In Flames continues to be at the top of the death metal genre. Mixing death metal growls with clean singing, they have a wide appeal that grows with each release.
Recommended album: The Jester Race (1996)
3. Dark Tranquillity
Dark Tranquillity, formed in 1989, were another band at the beginning of the melodic death metal movement. And unlike some groups whose time in the sun has come and gone, Dark Tranquility continues to progress and release great albums.
Recommended album: The Gallery (1995)
4. Evergrey
In a country where melodic death metal reigns supreme, it may seem like an unusual choice to rank a progressive metal group like Evergrey so highly. But when you factor in their extraordinary musical ability and great songwriting, it's an easy choice. Tom S. Englund has one of the best voices in metal, and Evergrey are the complete package.
Recommended album: Recreation Day (2003)
5. Soilwork
It may seem strange, but Soilwork has been accused of being "too commercial." Their style of melodic death metal is very palatable compared to some bands in the genre, but I doubt you'll be hearing any of their music on your local pop station anytime soon. They write really good songs and have a great mix of the brutal and the melodic.
Recommended album: The Chainheart Machine (2000)
6. At The Gates
At The Gates were at the forefront of melodic death metal in the early '90s. Before disbanding in 1996 they recorded several influential and respected albums. Some of their members went on to form The Haunted.
Recommended album: Slaughter Of The Soul (1995)
7. Meshuggah
Meshuggah plays a really diverse form of metal that utilizes unusual time signatures and tempo changes combined with thrash and death metal elements and a lot of experimentation. They tend to be hit and miss, but when they're on, they are really good.
Recommended album: Destroy Erase Improve (1995)
8. Amon Amarth
Originally called Scum, the death metal band Amon Amarth incorporates Viking imagery into their lyrics and a lot of melodic elements into their music.
Recommended album: Fate Of Norns (2004)
9. Candlemass
Candlemass are one of the pioneers of doom metal. They've been doing it for 20 years, and original vocalist Messiah Marcolin has once again left the band.
Recommended album: Nightfall (1987)
10. Arch Enemy
Arch Enemy is unique in that they are a death metal band with a female vocalist. Angela Gossow screams with just as much fury as anyone else and after several years with the band has proven to be no novelty act.
Recommended album: Anthems Of Rebellion (2003)
Related post: list, sweden, heavy, metal, musics
Opeth is #1, At the Gates #2!
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