The greatest Swedish metal band of all time?

First Post December 24, 2025 03:58 AM

I've just found this on X/Twitter:

And it made me wonder, what IS the greatest Swedish metal band of all time? Well we can't deny how legendary those bands are in their respective genres, such as Bathory in first-wave black/viking metal, Opeth in deathly progressive metal, and At the Gates, In Flames, and Amon Amarth in melodeath. But for me personally, it would be...

Meshuggah

They are quite ahead of their time, pushing boundaries further than any of those other bands in the 90s. How did they do that? By inventing the downtuned polyrhythmic prog-metal subgenre that is djent, thus paving the way for the wave of modern metal bands that I enjoy. And I mean bands that aren't just djent but can also be metalcore or industrial metal.

But I'm sure some of you have something to say about this topic. What do you think should be hailed as the greatest metal band from one of the most metal countries, Sweden? Discuss!

December 24, 2025 06:12 AM

"Blood Fire Death" & "Under the Sign of the Black Mark" are my favourite Swedish metal records & I also regard "Hammerheart" as a genuine classic so Bathory are my pick. I've worshipped Quorthon for three & a half decades now & the output from the first half of his recording career has lost none of its potency or influence over time.

December 24, 2025 08:45 AM

Based purely on how much I enjoy them, my pick would be Candlemass with an honourable mention for Grand Magus. Opeth's outstanding metal output would also secure them a spot among my top 3. Bathory, Marduk and Shining all deserve mentions too.

Ben
Ben
The Fallen The Horde The North The Pit
December 24, 2025 10:18 AM

There are too many great Swedish bands to choose from. The first ones that come to mind for me are Opeth, Meshuggah, Katatonia, Draconian, Candlemass, Bathory, Shining and Trees of Eternity.

December 24, 2025 10:58 AM

A while ago I developed a simple algorithm to allow me to compare the overall quality of bands' discographies and consulting my list of bands whose entire studio discography I have rated the Swedish winner is Grand Magus with a QR (Quality Rating) of 57.0. I also have Craft with 55.0, Candlemass with 53.5, Opeth with 52.0 and excellent space rockers Yuri Gagarin on 53.3

December 24, 2025 12:57 PM

I don't see my beautiful baby THERION in that list.

December 24, 2025 01:44 PM

Whilst I understand the lauding of Bathory that goes on, and I do rate some of their releases at four stars and above, I am rarely absorbed by the urge to revisit them often.  I own Hammerheart on picture disc and to be honest I don't think it has been spun more than a handful of times in a decade.  Therefore I would not put them high up any list in this circumstance.  Opeth would get a high entry as I have spent many a fine hour with Blackwater Park, Ghost Reveries, Damnation, Deliverance and Orchid.  Katatonia would only get included because of Fall of Hearts and Candlemass carry the accolade of having two of my favourite doom albums ever as their debut and sophomore.  Grand Magus really only have Hammer of the North as my go to record for them.