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Dark Tranquillity is a melodic death metal band from Gothenburg, Sweden. They are one of the longest-standing bands from the Gothenburg metal scene and one of the pioneers of the melodic death metal genre, along with In Flames and At the Gates.
Background
Dark Tranquillity was formed in 1989, under the name Septic Broiler as a thrash metal band. Since its formation the band has had a fairly stable line-up. In 1990, the band recorded a demo cassette tape entitled Enfeebled Earth before they would change their name to Dark Tranquillity and change their musical style. It was followed by two more demos: Trail of Life Decayed (1991) and A Moonclad Reflection (1992) (both were later remastered and re-released in 2004). In 1993, Anders Fridén, Dark Tranquillity's original lead vocalist, left the band and later joined In Flames.[1] Mikael Stanne, who formerly played rhythm guitar and provided backing vocals, then became the lead vocalist, and Fredrik Johansson was recruited to take over rhythm guitar duties.
Before the release of the band's 1999 album, Projector (later nominated for a Swedish Grammy Award), Fredrik Johansson was asked to leave Dark Tranquillity due to his lack of devotion to the band.[1] Martin Henriksson then switched from playing bass to guitar to replace Johansson, and the band added Michael Nicklasson on bass and Martin Brändström on keyboards and electronics. At this point the band also signed to Century Media Records. Since then, the band has remained stable in its line-up and its musical style; blending layers of rapid guitar lines with harmony-rich electronic keyboard washes and extremely precise rhythms underneath Stanne's abstract growled lyrics[2].
From 1995 to 2002, all of Dark Tranquillity's recordings were produced by Fredrik Nordström, who is known as one of the leading melodic death metal producers. After 2002 every recording the band released was self-produced until Fiction, released in 2007, which was co-produced with another well known melodic death metal producer, Tue Madsen.
Bass guitarist Michael Nicklasson left the band in August 2008 due to personal reasons with no hard feelings between him and the band. This was announced on August 23 on the band's official homepage.
Dark Tranquillity have recently toured with The Haunted, Into Eternity, and Scar Symmetry for the North America Metal For The Masses tour.[3] They returned to the U.S. during the Spring of 2008 with Arch Enemy. They have also toured the UK in early 2008 along with Omnium Gatherum. They are preparing for a live dvd to be released sometime in 2008.
Members
Current members
Former members
Session members
Guest musicians
Discography
Studio albums
| Title |
Release date |
Notes |
Label |
| Skydancer |
August 30, 1993 |
Debut studio album which featured former member, Anders Fridén of In Flames on vocals. |
|
| The Gallery |
November 27, 1995 |
Second studio album, first to feature Mikael Stanne on vocals and their first album produced by Fredrik Nordström, containing many melodic guitar passages, and female vocals in various places. |
- Osmose
- Century Media (re-release)
|
| The Mind's I |
April 21, 1997 |
Third studio album, featuring a heavier sound and less melodic parts. |
- Osmose
- Century Media (re-release)
|
| Projector |
November 25, 1999 |
Fourth studio album; an experimental release, featuring pianos in many places, and clean, baritone vocals in some parts. |
Century Media |
| Haven |
July 25, 2000 |
Fifth studio album, which abandoned almost all clean vocals, and added many keyboard sounds. |
Century Media |
| Damage Done |
August 20, 2002 |
Sixth studio album and their last to be produced by Fredrik Nordström. It incorperated many electonic keyboard sounds and atmospheres and started a new, 'heavier' sound reflected in the guitars, brought by Martin Henriksson. |
Century Media |
| Character |
January 24, 2005 |
Seventh studio album, produced by the band itself. Credited to have showcased a new style of death metal, which contained guitars reminescent of metalcore, futuristic and highly technical keyboard atmospheres, and Mikael Stanne's classic abstract growling. |
Century Media |
| Fiction |
April 17, 2007 |
Eighth studio album, co-produced with Tue Madsen. Considered an album that blended all of their previous styles together. |
Century Media |
EPs, MCDs and singles
Other albums
DVDs and videos
- Zodijackyl Light (VHS, 1996, Osmose Productions)
- World Domination (VHS, 1998, Osmose Productions)
- Live Damage (DVD, 2003, Century Media)
Demos
- Enfeebled Earth (1989, released under the name Septic Broiler)
- Trail of Life Decayed (1991), (1992, re-release, Guttural Records)
- A Moonclad Reflection (1992, Slaughter/Exhumed Records)
- Tranquillity (1993, cassette compilation containing Trail of Life Decayed and A Moonclad Reflection, Carnage Records)
References
- ^ a b "Dark Tranquillity: Interview with Niklas Sundin". Heart of Steel: Interviews. Metal-Rules (July 2002). Retrieved on 2007-04-14.
- ^ "Metal Israel Exclusive interview with Mikael Stanne". Metal Israel: Interviews. metalisrael.com (July 2008). Retrieved on 2008-07-20.
- ^ Century Media Records
External links
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