Metal, Hardcore, Indie, Rock
Benedetta Baldin
Dark Tranquillity share a heartfelt post about the passing of Tomas Lindberg of At The Gates
Three bands pioneered melodic death metal, or the Gothenburg sound, if you prefer. At The Gates, Dark Tranquillity and In Flames. And of course, they all shared emotional posts about the passing of At The Gates‘ lead singer Tomas Lindberg. The last one to reach us is from Mikael Stanne, leader of Dark Tranquillity.
Det gör så jävla jävla ont.
Tomas, you were my guiding light. You taught me what true artistry is. From that first time i nervously entered Kristian Whålins basement in Hovås where Grotesque rehearsed and I got to hear and see what a band is. I was 14 an you 16 and I say there watching you scream your lungs out through ”Blood runs from the altar” and Bathory’s ”Enter the eternal fire” and in that room that day, my life was fundamentally altered and you have been that beacon ever since.
From discovering new obscure demos through a crusty old tape recorder in the parks around Gothenburg, to talking endlessly about what music is and should be. How something like this new and emerging genre could and should mean something, and that it must somehow matter.
To say that you were the single most important person to the metal scene in our little city is an understatement. Your generosity and humble nature was infectious to everyone around you. You set the tone for how we should treat each other, in the scene and without and it was through this humility and laser sharp intellect you inspired and gave of your time and attention to friends and family, your students and your devoted audience. May your integrity, passion and dedication continue to inspire and encourage us all.
I love you Tompa, always.
– Mikael Stanne
This is what Anders of In Flames shared yesterday.
Woke up this morning to the very sad news that Tompa has passed.
I’m trying to write something clever (that’s my job after all) but I’m drawing a blank. This hits too close to home.
I’m glad we got to do that last tour together and play the final show in Gothenburg.
And btw, thank you for sharing those tapes on your Walkman back in the day, sitting on the bus, riding in to the city. Maybe I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for you showing the way.
Until we meet again…..