Greatest Swedish 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 Few other Swedish bands are on the same technical level, e.g., Meshuggah, but Opeth is a level above all other Swedish progressive/metal/rock bands when it comes to songwriting. Start softly with "Damnation" and let yourself be drawn in.
Now, this group has mastered all folds of metal. They were the group we needed when people were listening to new genres that were more commercial than creative. Every album still surprises me, no matter what. What creativity!
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
ABBA are a Swedish pop group formed in Stockholm in 1972 by members Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad. At the top of their game at the end of the 1970s, the only business that had more sales than ABBA was Volvo. Obviously, they did something right, which means that they should be high up on this list.
ABBA was something original. They came from Stockholm, Sweden, but were so serious about their music. They had so much character.
This is definitely a joke. ABBA was Sweden's first international pop group! They have to be #1 or in the top 5! Unbelievable!
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 How on Earth is Bathory in 4th place? Sure, I know about Opeth and ABBA, but there are very few bands in the history of music with a firmer impact on their subsequent genre than Bathory. Quorthon literally created the Scandinavian black metal and Viking metal subgenres. Bathory had a huge impact on both the first wave and second wave of black metal, inspiring countless future black metal and other extreme metal bands. #Hail_Quorthon.
One of the greatest bands of all time!
Bathory, yes, the creators of black metal and Viking metal. "Blood Fire Death" is a perfect album.
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.
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 In this case, I would say don't dismiss the band. Listen to them at least three times or more. It's a different genre of metal that will grow on you.
Mesmerizing when I first heard them, cherishing live, I was scrolling to see Ghost on the list.
A national treasure for Sweden.
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. With their power metal genre and historical references, this Swedish band is ultimately creative and is my favorite band of the 21st century. ROCK ON THROUGHOUT HISTORY! They somewhat remind me of Europe, but I haven't really listened to much Swedish metal bands. That's probably why I like Sabaton so much.
Very good band! I love their songs.
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. Europe is one of the absolute best groups to ever come out in the '80s. They are one of the definitive arena rock bands.
Europe were and still are one of the most underrated but still kickass arena rock bands of all time.
When you put on The Final Countdown album, you feel like everything is going to be awesome.
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. I've introduced many people to Katatonia.
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. Even if they are in the main vein of metal, they are very tight and consistent with the songs they put out.
Easily the best melodic death metal band. Every album is unique, yet they still have more consistency than almost every other band on this list (I'm looking at you, In Flames). And Björn Strid is definitely one of music's best vocalists.
The Newcomers
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 They lost me with this past release.
I hope they find me again because I like most of what they do.
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. I love the way Alissa White-Gluz growls! Amazing! No more regrets!
They're the best melodeath band next to COB. Songs like "Nemesis" make them a great metal band.
Very impressive from the start, but adding a female voice improved the direction of the band. Well beyond the lyrics.
Candlemass is an influential Swedish doom metal band established in Stockholm 1984 by bassist, songwriter and bandleader Leif Edling and drummer Matz Ekström. I always get more than a bit annoyed when I see a band that pioneered or defined a genre not at least in the top 10. Aside from Black Sabbath, Candlemass is easily the biggest influence on modern doom metal. The utter lack of respect they get is dumbfounding. These guys seriously need to be higher on this list, certainly higher than Amon Amarth and ABBA.
I have known this band since the start. Chez 106 Ottawa was very metal-oriented in the early 1980s, and I was amazed by their diversified riffs. They still surprise me today.
Pain of Salvation is a Swedish progressive rock band led by Daniel Gildenlöw, who is the band's main songwriter, lyricist, guitarist, and vocalist.
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
We see newcomers who took up the satire of the supposed know-it-all saying this band is regular. But In Flames is what they are - solid and good, especially live.
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.
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.
Children Of Bodom was a melodic death metal band from Espoo, Finland. Formed in 1993, the final lineup consisted of Alexi Laiho, Janne Wirman, Henkka Seppälä, Jaska Raatikainen and Daniel Freyberg.
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.
Roxette was a Swedish pop rock duo, consisting of Marie Fredriksson (vocals) and Per Gessle (vocals and guitar). Roxette went on to achieve four US number-one hits with "The Look," "Listen to Your Heart," "It Must Have Been Love," and "Joyride", and nineteen UK Top 40 hits. Other hits include "Dangerous,"... read more One of the all-time greats from the early '90s, Roxette cannot be overlooked as a major item on the Swedish pop charts.
Both Roxette and Ace of Base MUST be in the top 10 of all time!
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.
HammerFall is a Swedish heavy metal band from Gothenburg, Sweden. The band was formed in 1993 by ex-Ceremonial Oath guitarist Oscar Dronjak. Why, just why is HammerFall that low on this list? They are a great power metal band and definitely one of the most iconic Swedish bands.
One of the best power metal bands ever.
Hypocrisy is a death metal band from Sweden. It was formed in 1990 in Ludvika, Sweden by Peter Tägtgren.
Ace of Base was a Swedish pop group, originally consisting of Ulf "Buddha" Ekberg and three siblings, Jonas "Joker" Berggren, Malin "Linn" Berggren and Jenny Berggren. I saw the sign... lucky love belongs in teenage heaven... don't turn around... I'm never gonna say I'm sorry... It's a beautiful life... My deja vu... I'm doing it all for you...
Don't underestimate this band. They are in my personal top five, alongside ABBA, EMD, JTR, and Europe.
Ace of Base, in my opinion, is one of the five greatest Swedish bands.