Best Swedish Metal Bands
Opeth is a Swedish progressive metal band from Stockholm, formed in 1990 by David Isberg, who invited Mikael Åkerfeldt into the band as a bassist. Isberg ended up leaving the band, which led to Åkerfeldt becoming the band's vocalist, guitarist, principal songwriter, and driving force... read more Opeth is everything a band should be (artistic, powerful, complex, diverse, and original), and nothing a band shouldn't be. Opeth continues to be my number one inspiration and favorite band ever.
Definitely the most melodic and complex of the top ten on this list. They definitely deserve the number one spot, given the thriving metal culture in Sweden.
Opeth can do no wrong! By far the most diverse, interesting, and melodic, which is why Opeth is easily my number one.
Bathory was a Swedish Black/Viking Metal band formed in 1983 by Quorthon and Jonas Åkerlund. Bathory's first 4 albums layed the blueprint for Scandinavian Black Metal. Quorthon is often credited with creating the "shrieking" vocal style of Black Metal. Their 5th album, Hammerheart (1990) displayed... read more
Meshuggah is a Swedish progressive metal band from Umeå, formed in 1987. They are often considered the fathers or founders of the djent metal sub genre due to their use of downtuned guitars. They are also known for their song “Bleed”, which is known for its extremely complicated instrumentation,... read more Meshuggah is a band I would describe as "important." I feel they have not only made amazing art but furthered musical evolution in a way few artists can claim to have done.
Bleed is great. I love the beat. It sounds like a rapid-fire machine gun.
Sabaton is a power metal band from Falun, Sweden formed in 1999. The band's main lyrical themes are based on war and historical battles. My all-time favorite band taught me so much and reignited my passion for history. Sabaton should be number one on this list, or else the winged hussars shall arrive!
My first-ever metal band and still my favorite!
From my hometown, they are nice guys.
Amon Amarth is a Swedish melodic death metal band from Tumba, formed in 1992. The band takes its name from the Sindarin name of Mount Doom. Amon Amarth is an amazing band. They don't have a single bad album in their entire discography.
Raise your horn and raise it up to the sky! We will drink for glory tonight!
Amon Amarth is love. Amon Amarth is life!
Ghost is a Swedish heavy metal band that was formed in Linköping in 2008. The band consists of five masked instrumentalists known as the Nameless Ghouls, and a demonic anti-pope known as Papa Emeritus. They have released four studio albums, one live album, and two EPs. Each album introduces a new version... read more Ghost is, in my opinion, the best modern metal band. They have extreme satanic lyrics but not the cliché Black Metal "Rawraghraw hail Satan" kind. They have deep, dark lyrics that make you feel like you're present at a satanic ritual.
Papa Emeritus has an incredible voice, and the melodies from the instrumentalists are great. They are good enough that Dave Grohl himself jumped on board. He produced Ghost's EP If You Have Ghost and played studio drums. A Nameless Ghoul from Ghost mentioned that Grohl occasionally drums for Ghost live.
Ghost is one of those bands where I can honestly say there's no song I dislike. Even their worst song sounds good!
In Flames is a Swedish melodic death metal band from Gothenburg, Sweden, formed in 1990.Currently active members include Anders Fridén (vocalist), Björn Gelotte (guitarist, formerly drummer), Niclas Engelin (guitarist), and Peter Iwers (bassist). Currently, they are without a drummer; their... read more
Dark Tranquillity is a Swedish melodic death metal band from Gothenburg formed in 1989. They are one of the longest-standing bands from the original Gothenburg metal scene. For me, they're the best melodic death metal band ever!
Katatonia is a Swedish metal band formed in Stockholm in 1991 by Jonas Renkse and Anders Nyström. The band has released nine studio albums spanning the course of three decades, and their tenth studio album, The Fall of Hearts was released on May 20, 2016. Katatonia have really helped me through my depression. I have never heard anything by this band that wasn't amazing! They were great back in the day and are even better now.
Can't wait to see what they do in the future.
Arch Enemy is a Swedish melodic death metal band, originally a supergroup, from Halmstad, formed in 1996. Its members were in bands such as Carcass, Armageddon, Carnage, Mercyful Fate, Spiritual Beggars, and Eucharist.
The Newcomers
Candlemass is an influential Swedish doom metal band established in Stockholm 1984 by bassist, songwriter and bandleader Leif Edling and drummer Matz Ekström.
At the Gates is a Swedish melodic death metal band from Gothenburg, and a major progenitor of the Gothenburg sound.
Bloodbath is a Swedish death metal supergroup from Stockholm, formed in 1998. The band has released four full-length albums, two EPs and two DVDs depicting their performances at Wacken Open Air and Bloodstock Open Air.
Dissection was a Swedish extreme metal band. They formed in 1989 by Jon Nödtveidt and later disbanded in 2006, followed by Nödtveidt's suicide. Their sound is usually described as "melodic blackened death metal". How are they 20th? They should be at least in the top ten. Three albums released, and all three are masterpieces. Honestly, how is this band not at least tenth?
Best band in the world. Pure darkness!
Soilwork is a Swedish melodic death metal band from Helsingborg. They are signed to Nuclear Blast. Formed in late 1995 by Björn Strid and Peter Wichers, originally under the name Inferior Breed, the band changed their name in late 1996 to Soilwork.
HammerFall is a Swedish heavy metal band from Gothenburg, Sweden. The band was formed in 1993 by ex-Ceremonial Oath guitarist Oscar Dronjak. Yeah, Swedish metal bands have the best variety, but for me, it has to be HammerFall only!
Crimson Thunder is amazing. HammerFall is to metal what ABBA was to pop.
Entombed is a Swedish heavy metal band formed in 1987 under the name of Nihilist. Entombed began their career as an early pioneer of Scandinavian death metal which initially differed from its American counterpart by its distinct "buzzsaw" guitar tone. It's kind of sad to see Entombed all the way down here. Left Hand Path is one of the best death metal albums. I just can't see how anyone could vote for Sabaton over Entombed. Sabaton is a short power metal band, and most of their followers here in Sweden are racist.
Avatar is a melodic death metal band from Gothenburg, Sweden, formed in 2001 by drummer John Alfredsson and guitarist Jonas Jarlsby, with bassist Hendrik Sandelin and vocalist Johannes Eckerstrom joining soon after. guitarist Tim Ohrstrom joined the band in 2010, after the departure of Simon Andersson... read more Creative and talented progressive death metal at its finest. Well-thought-out albums and an amazing stage presence live.
Just a phenomenal band. Their musicianship is top-notch, writing tight, polished, and unique songs.
They are a very underrated band. Johannes is very talented, both in performances and voice.
Pain of Salvation is a Swedish progressive rock band led by Daniel Gildenlöw, who is the band's main songwriter, lyricist, guitarist, and vocalist. Last page? They're one of my favorite Swedish metal bands.
Edge of Sanity was a Swedish progressive death metal band that, alongside Opeth, is commonly regarded as being the first to fuse extreme metal styles like death and black metal with progressive rock. Their sound is often described as "Progressive Melodic Death Metal".
Europe is a Swedish rock band formed in Upplands Väsby, Stockholm in 1979 under the name Force by vocalist Joey Tempest, guitarist John Norum, bassist Peter Olsson and drummer Tony Reno.
Hypocrisy is a death metal band from Sweden. It was formed in 1990 in Ludvika, Sweden by Peter Tägtgren.
Spawn of Possession was a technical death metal band from Kalmar, Sweden, founded in 1997. In 2017, the band announced their split up via their Facebook page.
Scar Symmetry is a Swedish metal band from Avesta in Dalarna County, Sweden, formed in 2004. The band has released six albums, with seven released singles.
Marduk is a black metal band from Norrköping, Sweden. The band formed in 1990 and released their first album in 1992. Their name is derived from the Babylonian god Marduk, patron deity of Babylon.