AT THE GATES Vocalist Tomas Lindberg Dead at 52

Tomas Lindberg, vocalist of Swedish melodic death metal pioneers AT THE GATES, has passed away at the age of 52 after a battle with cancer. His family confirmed the news to Swedish public service television company SVT Nyheter.

Lindberg was diagnosed in December 2023 with adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC), a rare but aggressive form of cancer that typically affects the salivary glands. He underwent a major surgery to remove a large portion of the roof of his mouth, followed by radiation treatment. While he had initially been on the road to recovery, the cancer resurfaced in early 2025, and complications placed him in long-term care by May.

In August, AT THE GATES shared a message from Tomas, written earlier in the year, in which he openly reflected on his diagnosis and treatment. He revealed that he had recorded the vocals for the band’s upcoming album the day before undergoing surgery, ensuring that his voice would be present on the record. He expressed pride in the music, describing it as a return to the band’s roots and thanking fans for their patience during the group’s silence.

“Please respect that we don’t want to make a big thing about all this,” he wrote at the time, “and that I won’t be answering interviews concerning the cancer, the treatment or the recovery. We just wanted this to be out in the open, as we wanted to explain to our fans why we have been quiet for such a long time.
I hope you all are well. Take care of yourself, your loved ones and the time you have on this earth.”

Lindberg’s influence on extreme music is immeasurable. With AT THE GATES, he helped pioneer the Gothenburg melodic death metal sound, particularly with the 1995 landmark album Slaughter of the Soul, regarded as one of the genre’s defining works. After the band’s initial breakup, members went on to play key roles in acts like THE HAUNTED and CRADLE OF FILTH before reuniting in 2008. Lindberg balanced his role as frontman with his profession as a teacher, further setting him apart as a unique voice in metal.

The metal community has already begun mourning his loss:

  • Niklas Sundin (ex-Dark Tranquillity):
    “Vila i frid, Tompa. Apart from being a genuinely good person that left a positive mark on so many of us, Tomas was a true creative visionary whose work as a vocalist and lyricist will live on forever. My heartfelt condolences go out to his close family, band members and friends.”

  • Aborted:
    “RIP Tompa, another legend left us too soon. We’ve only met a few times through the years but you were always a genuine soul and true fan of music. Your music has been inspirational through several generations. Rest in power and thank you for all you’ve done.”

  • After Earth:
    “Today is a day of great sorrow as another legend has left us. The news of Tomas ‘Tompa’ Lindberg’s passing struck us hard, since he was a part of something that would shape the Swedish metal scene into what it is today. Without him and At The Gates we are not sure our sound, as well as many other bands, would be the same. He was a legend, an icon and a man who we consider one of the creators of melodic death metal. Rest in peace, Tompa.”

  • Mikael Åkerfeldt (Opeth):
    “Goodbye Tomas ‘Tompa’ ‘Goatspell’ Lindberg. It’s with overpowering shock that I write this, having just received the news that he has passed on. I first met with Tomas in the early 90’s… He looked ragged and untamed, yet was incredibly kind and welcoming in person. At the Gates blew my mind that night. Their music was unlike anything I’d heard, and the performance a study in controlled technical violence, yet with soaring melancholic melodies… Tomas, my friend. You were a pioneering musician. A fantastic frontman and singer. A lovely human being! You’ve always had my endless respect. A respect that will flow effortlessly, even now that you’re no longer with us.”

Tomas Lindberg will be remembered as one of the architects of melodic death metal, a passionate performer, and a beloved figure in the metal community.

Tomas Lindberg
October 16, 1972 – September 16, 2025
Rest in Peace.

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