Tomas Lindberg of Swedish melodic death metal pioneers AT THE GATES has died after a battle with cancer, his family has confirmed to Swedish public service television company SVT Nyheter. He was 52 years old.
Last month, Tomas’s AT THE GATES bandmates announced that the singer was receiving “around-the-clock” care at an unspecified hospital after being diagnosed with adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC),a rare, slow-growing but aggressive cancer that typically develops in the salivary glands, particularly the minor salivary glands of the head and neck.
The news was first shared by David Isberg of BLOODOFJUPITER. His death marks a profound loss for the global metal community, as he was not only the voice but also a driving creative force behind the Gothenburg sound — the melodic death metal style that influenced generations of bands worldwide.
Lindberg first revealed his diagnosis in August 2025, sharing that he had undergone extensive surgery and radiation therapy since 2023. Despite the challenges, he remained hopeful and determined to continue creating music.
In his personal statement, he wrote: ” In December 2023, I was diagnosed with Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma (a cancer in the mouth and palate) and have since then gone through a lot, it has been a very tough year. 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.”
With AT THE GATES, Lindberg helped shape the Gothenburg sound, most famously through the 1995 classic Slaughter of the Soul. The band’s influence can be heard across countless metal subgenres, from melodic death to modern metalcore.
