Tomas Lindberg of At the Gates Dies at 52 After Battle with Cancer

Tomas Lindberg, the iconic frontman 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 broadcaster SVT Nyheter.

Lindberg had been fighting adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC), a rare but aggressive cancer that usually develops in the salivary glands. Diagnosed in December 2023, he underwent major surgery that removed much of the roof of his mouth, followed by radiation treatment. Despite a long road toward recovery, traces of the cancer returned in early 2025. A further decline in May of this year placed him in long-term care, where he remained until his passing.

A Voice That Defined a Genre

Widely regarded as one of the most influential voices in extreme metal, Lindberg was integral in shaping the Gothenburg melodic death metal sound. At the Gates’ landmark 1995 album Slaughter of the Soul is considered a cornerstone of the genre, influencing generations of metal bands worldwide.

Though the band disbanded shortly after its release, its members went on to form and join other major acts such as The Haunted and Cradle of Filth. At the Gates eventually reunited in 2008, with Lindberg balancing his career as a teacher with his role as one of death metal’s most recognizable frontmen.

Tomas’s Own Words

In March 2025, Lindberg penned a message to fans that was later shared by the band in August. In it, he opened up about his diagnosis and the impact it had on At the Gates’ activity:

“In December 2023, I was diagnosed with Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma… First there was a major surgery, where they took away a big part of the roof of the mouth. This was followed by radiation therapy for two months, and ever since it has been a long hard path towards recovery… Now, in the beginning of 2025, they have found some remains of the cancer, and it is inaccessible by surgery or radiation. So, we will see what the next step is, but probably some form of chemotherapy, to keep the cancer in check.”

He revealed that he recorded his final vocals in one day—just before his surgery—to ensure the band could complete its upcoming album. He described the record as a proud return to At the Gates’ roots, channeling the spirit of Slaughter of the Soul and At War With Reality.

“It feels good to deliver this album,” Lindberg wrote. “It is an album that we all are very proud of.”

Legacy and Loss

At the time of his passing, At the Gates had been preparing to release the album containing Lindberg’s last recorded vocals. The record now stands not only as the band’s next chapter, but as Lindberg’s parting gift to fans.

With Anders Björler’s return to the band in 2022 and the release of The Nightmare of Being in 2021, At the Gates had been experiencing a creative resurgence. Lindberg’s death leaves an irreplaceable void in extreme metal, but his voice, his lyrics, and his influence remain woven into the fabric of the scene he helped define.

Fans, peers, and the global metal community will remember him not only for his guttural roar and commanding stage presence, but for his resilience, humility, and dedication to his art.

Tomas Lindberg (1972–2025). A teacher, a pioneer, a fighter—forever the voice of At the Gates.