Formed in Gothenburg, Sweden in late 1990. One of the pioneering bands of the so called NWOSDM (New Wave Of Swedish Death Metal), and the Gothenburg sound. They were breaking grounds for bands like Dark Tranquility and In Flames. Although disband in 1996, the band did a reunion and farewell tour in 2007/2008.

 GARDENS OF GRIEF (Single) (1991, 1995) BLACK SUN RECORDS

'Gardens Of Grief' is the title of At The Gates 4 track demo, originally released in 1991. This is the 1995 reissue on Black Sun Records, released as a single in a slim jewel case.

At The Gates became pioneers in the melo-death genre. However, their humble beginnings were not as groundbreaking as the albums that would follow. The songs on this demo/single are more traditional death metal. Mind you, they were never the most brutal band out there. Rather they went for a more moody kind of death metal, relying on atmosphere more then speed. Of course hailing out of Sweden almost automatically makes you liken them to other early Swedish death metal act, such as Grotesque, Entombed and Ceremonial Oath. Still it would seem that At The Gates had an edge over most of their contemporaries. For one they were better musicians. This can be heard already on this demo. They also knew how to write songs that didn't exactly fit into the usual death metal patters, adding a more progressive style, with unusual tempo changes and odd guitar parts. The drumming is also not your average blastbeats blizzard. Vocally "Tompa" here reminds me of those early Norwegian black metal shrieks.

I must admit that this is not exactly my favorite genre, and over the years I have developed more and more an intolerance for death metal. Still, I have no problem acknowledging the talent in this band. And I must applaud the high level of professionalism At the Gates showed from get go. Thus I take it that lovers of this genre hold this demo in high regard.

THE RED IN THE SKY IS OURS/WITH FEAR I KISS THE BURNING DARKNESS (1992/1993, 1995) PEACEVILLE (2-CD)

This is a re-release of At The Gates first 2 full-length albums as a double disc package, issued from Peaceville Records in 1995.

'The Red In The Sky Is Ours' was the bands debut album, originally released in 1992 on Deaf Records. Much like the demo released the year before, the debut delivers primitive Swedish death metal, bordering on early black metal. The band still haven't found their more recognizable style yet, and the sound is very raw. Again I find the musicianship to be heads above most of their contemporaries. Just check out "Through Gardens Of Grief" for blending guitar work that is unheard of in this otherwise stale genre. Another seasoning At The Gates adds is the inclusion of instrumental violin parts here and there. This adds a folk music dimension to some of the songs that at least In Flames copied years later.

Unfortunately, unlike the 4 track demo, this full album gets a bit tiresome after a while. Even though the musicianship and songwriting is exciting, there is still not enough variation over the course of 10 songs to keep my interest up all the way through. 'The Red In The Sky Is Ours' must still be regarded as a melodic death metal milestone, and alongside Entombed's 'Left Hand Path' one of the earliest albums of the genre.

The CD version of this album came with a bonus track, entitled "City Of Screaming Statues'. This is actually a re-recorded song from the bands 1991 demo.

Killer tracks: Kingdom Gone, Through Garden Of Grief, Within, City Of Screaming Statues

'With Fear I Kiss The Burning Darkness' was At The Gates second album, released of Deaf Records in 1993. Strangely enough this sophomore album has lesser production than it's predecessor. This album sounds a bit more muffled, end there is not bottom end in the production. Other then that this is pretty much the same formula musically as the debut album, and the bands demo. This is still technically proficient, early melodic death metal. Lyrically they have more in common with black metal though, and with titles such as "Raped By The Light Of Christ' I am willing to bet that At The Gates had fans in both genres camps.

Personally I don't think At the Gates managed to follow up the debut with an equally solid album. Especially if I listen to the 2 CD's back to back I find the latter lacking. It comes across as more mediocre, and with rehashed riffs and ideas. But as a snapshot in a legendary bands career 'With Fear I Kiss The Burning Darkness' works just fine. Some of the songs on the last half of the CD even hints to what was to come on the bands next platter.

Trivia: "Through the Red" has a minute of silence and contains the hidden track "The Nightmare Continues", which is a Discharge cover.

Killer songs: The Break Of Autumn, The Burning Darkness, Through The Red

TERMINAL SPIRIT DISEASE (1994) PEACEVILLE

This is the first At The Gates disc I heard, and it took me by surprise. So hard and yet with melody. The band actually played in my hometown on the tour for this. And believe me, not many metal-bands have played here, except some locals of course. So my disc is signed by the members. Not exactly sure if this a mini-CD or a full-length album. I mean 6 new songs and 3 live ones? It's a great disc though.

Killer tracks: Terminal Spirit Disease, The Swarm

SLAUGHTER OF THE SOUL (1995) EARACHE

At The Gates last disc (not counting the best of..-release). Some say this is their best album, but I put my finger on 'Terminal...' None of the songs stick out, but the entire disc is really good. Massive death sound, but still melodic. EXCELLENT!

Killer tracks: Blinded By Fear, Slaughter Of The Soul

SUICIDAL FINAL ART (2001) PEACEVILLE

At The Gates broke up in 1996, when Anders decided to leave the band. So this "greatest hits" CD was released 5 years after the demise of the band.

This CD is a great way to get to know the band, At The Gates. It holds 15 tracks from the bands entire career, including a couple of demo tracks recorded in 1992. The songs are put here chronologically, so you can follow the bands progression from a typical death metal band from Sweden, anno 1991, morphing into the pioneers of melo-death (or Gothenburg sound) they are regarded as to this very day. There is nothing exclusive on this compilation, save perhaps for the 2 demo tracks that is. But both of them have been featured on the bands full albums, either in re-recorded versions, or as bonus tracks.

My digipak version also features 2 enhanced video clips, and the bands history, penned by Tomas Lindberg. I'm not sure a jewel case version exists though.