At the Gates is a melodic death metal band from Gothenburg, Sweden. They are one of the forebears of the Gothenburg sound of heavy metal along with other bands of the Gothenburg metal scene such as Dark Tranquillity and In Flames.

History

Early career

The band was formed in 1990 after the break-up of the band Grotesque. They recorded a debut EP, Gardens of Grief for the Dolores record label. The EP led to seminal metal label Peaceville Records signing the band, and releasing their debut LP The Red in the Sky Is Ours in 1991. The sound of this album was not as advanced as their later works, and showed some technicality with less hints of melody, but the band gained recognition through touring.http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:5lkbikvhbbo9

Following the release of their second album, With Fear I Kiss the Burning Darkness, original member and guitarist Alf Svensson left the band and was replaced by Martin Larsson. The band continued touring Europe, and were filmed for a Headbangers Ball special on a tour date in the UK.

Success and breakthrough

In 1994, they released Terminal Spirit Disease, which was hailed as a breakthrough album. It contained only six new songs, but showed that the band had progressed immensely in only one year.http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=Anduvad1ky8wohttp://www.metal-observer.com/articles.php?lid=1&sid=1&id=3809This would be the last album on Peaceville, as they were signed by one of the largest metal labels, Earache Records.The band continued touring, and in 1995, they took yet another step forward, releasing arguably their best work, Slaughter of the Soul. This album firmly rooted the band as one of the leaders of the Swedish metal scene, and is considered a benchmark album in the Gothenburg sound. http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:fjfqxq8jldhehttp://www.sputnikmusic.com/album.php?albumid=1193The band received international attention for the album, gaining them a U.S. tour, and heavy rotation of the music video for "Blinded by Fear" on MTV in America. Despite the success and acclaim the band had garnered, the Björler brothers left the band in 1996. The remaining members decided it would be impossible to continue without them, so the band was broken up.http://www.earache.com/bands/at_the_gates/navigation/biography.html

Post-breakup

When At the Gates broke up in 1996, drummer Adrian Erlandsson, bassist Jonas Björler and guitarist Anders Björler formed The Haunted. Tomas Lindberg has worked with many bands including Skitsystem, The Crown, Lock Up, and Nightrage and is currently in The Great Deceiver and Disfear. Adrian Erlandsson left The Haunted to join Cradle of Filth. In 2001, Peaceville Records released a career retrospective called Suicidal Final Art.

The band's legacy is far reaching, because of their influence on the metalcore genre. Many bands, such as Darkest Hour, The Black Dahlia Murder and Killswitch Engagehttp://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:0zfrxqy5ldhe~T1 were influenced by their sound.

Reunion

On October 18, 2007, At the Gates announced several reunion shows for the Summer of 2008, including Ruisrock, Wacken Open Air, Graspop Metal Meeting, Sweden Rock Festival, Gods of Metal and Bloodstock Open Air.http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=83023

Anders' comments on the reunion:

"Well, it felt like the timing was right for once. We have been talking about a possible reunion for years now, but this was the first time everything fell into place. For me personally, it feels like getting closure. The break-up over ten years ago was abrupt and left a bad vibe between us that took years to get over. We have a better relationship today and a more relaxed approach to who we are and what we do. The time is right to get together and play some shows. Try to catch us live in the summer 2008. It could be your last chance"

When asked in October if the band was planning on writing a new album, Lindberg replied:

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On the official band's website Q&A Anders declared that "it would be pointless to release something more than ten years after Slaughter of the Soul" and "would just disappoint people."http://www.atthegates.se/qa.htm

Awards

At the Gates were nominated for the Swedish Grammy Awards for Slaughter of the Soul in 1995 along with Fireside's Do Not Tailgate, Meshuggah's Destroy Erase Improve, and Yngwie Malmsteen's Magnum Opus.

Line-up

Last known line-up

• Tomas Lindberg ? vocals (1990?1996)
• Anders Björler ? guitar (1990?1996, 2007?present)
• Martin Larsson ? guitar (1993?1996)
• Jonas Björler ? bass guitar (1990?1992, 1993?1996)
• Adrian Erlandsson ? drums (1990?1996, (2007?present)

Former members

• Alf Svensson ? guitar (1990?1993)

Touring members

• Tony Andersson ? bass guitar (1992)

Discography

Full length

EP/Split

• Gardens of Grief (1991, EP)
• Cursed to Tour (1996, Split live EP with Napalm Death)
• Suicidal Final Art (2001, Compilation)

Singles

• Kingdom Gone (1992)
• The Burning Darkness (1993)
• Terminal Spirit Disease (1994)
• Blinded By Fear (1995)