TOMAS ”GOATSPELL" LINDBERG HAVE LEFT US!

Tomas ”Tompa/Goatspell" Lindbgerg, lead vocalist of many bands, but mainly famous from At The Gates, has passed away at 52 years old. He was battling adenoid cystic carcinoma, a form on cancer in the mouth and pallet. With At The Gates, he pioneered what is now known as melodic death metal, or the Gothenburg sound. 

He started as a vocalist in the band Grotesque under the name Goatspell. When Grotesque fell apart he started melodic death metal band At the Gates. At the Gates broke up after the 1995 release of the highly acclaimed Slaughter of the Soul album, but reformed in 2007. In 1995 Lindberg provided vocals for three tracks on Ceremonial Oath's "Carpet" while Anders Fridén (In Flames) provided vocals for the other four tracks.

Since then, Lindberg had been involved in many other diverse musical projects within the metal and punk scene. He had fronted Hide, The Crown, Disfear, Skitsystem and the grindcore supergroup Lock Up, in which he performed alongside Napalm Death members Shane Embury (bass) and Jesse Pintado (guitar) and former Dimmu Borgir drummer Nick Barker. He also did vocals for the Gothenburg-based Sacrilege GBG on their 1996 European tour due to the difficulty for drummer/vocalist Daniel Svensson (In Flames) to do both.

He was earning praise for his Gothenburg-based outfit, The Great Deceiver, far removed from his previous work – a product of the Gothenburg melodic death metal scene mixed with influences from artists such as The Cure and Joy Division.

Later on, he worked with the band Nightrage, but shortly after their second album Descent into Chaos was released in 2005, Lindberg left the band so that a more full-time vocalist (Antony Hämäläinen) could accompany them on tours and studio albums. Lindberg occasionally provided guest vocals as seen on Darkest Hour's "The Sadist Nation", Transistor Transistor's "Young Vampires of New Hampshire" 7", and on Slowmotion Apocalypse's, "The Blessing" on the 2007 'Obsidian' album.

Decibel Magazine credits the logo of black metal band Darkthrone as the work of Lindberg.

In August 2025, it was revealed on At The Gates' Facebook and Instagram pages that Lindberg had been treated for adenoid cystic carcinoma (mouth/palate cancer), which was diagnosed in December 2023. This resulted in him having a big part of the roof of his mouth removed, followed by radiation therapy, and ongoing problems with finding some of the cancer remaining. This was revealed as the reason for the band's continued silence on activity and new album progress.

On 16 September 2025, David Isberg (formerly of Opeth) announced on Facebook that Lindberg had died from the disease.

To me, his band Grotesque was where my heart was. The bands EP "Incantation" from 1990 is a masterpiece, and probably together with Entombed "Left Hand Path", Morbid Angel "Altars of Madness", Dismember "Like an Everflowing Stream" and Death "Scream Bloody Gore" the records I played most times in my life when it comes to Death Metal.

To say that he have been involved in a lot of bands, is certainly not an overstatement.
Some examples:
At the Gates - Vocals (1990-1996, 2007-2008, 2010-2025)
Disfear - Vocals (1998-2025)
Grotesque - Vocals (1988-1990, 1996, 2007)
Liers in Wait - Vocals (1990)
Lock Up - Vocals (2002-2014, 2021-2025)
Nightrage - Vocals (2003-2005)
Skitsystem - Vocals & Guitars (1994-2004)
The Crown - Vocals (2001-2002)
The Great Deceiver - Vocals (1999-?)
The Lurking Fear - Vocals (2016-2025)

I leave it with these heartwarming words from Mikael Åkerfeldt (Opeth)
Goodbye Tomas ”Tompa” ”Goatspell” Lindberg, R.I.P.

It’s with overpowering shock that I write this, having just received the news that he has passed on.

I first met with Tomas in the early 90’s when Opeth had a show (our second show ever) in Gothenbourg. Appearing on the bill was (I believe) ourselves, Therion and an minor arsenal of bands with period names such as Mega-slaughter, Sarcazm, Desercrator. Also appearing was a band with a yet more curious name, At the gates.

We made our way from Stockholm to be greeted at the GBG central station by none other than Tomas Lindberg himself. He looked ragged and…untamed? Long frizzy blonde hair, huge blonde/ginger beard. An intimidating character in appearance, yet incredibly kind and welcoming in person.

At the gates blew my mind that night. Their music was unlike anything I’d heard, and the performance a study in controlled technical violence. Yet with soaring melancholic melodies. I feel tempted to use the term ”progressive” here, although I doubt I knew what that meant at the time. As a frontman, Tomas was just beyond anything I’d seen. He was awesome, plain and simple. Wild! He appeared so immersed in the music that it seemed to take utter and complete control of him. It was a joy to see (and hear), and from that day ATG became one of my favorite bands.

We’d run into each other now and then over the years. Intellectually, he seemed to be a step above and beyond your generic metal musician. You could talk to Tomas about anything. Perhaps his job as a teacher played a role, I don’t know, but he had a keen ear to whatever topic was brought up.

I can’t believe that he’s gone….

Tomas, my friend. You were a pioneering musician. A fantastic frontman and singer. A lovely human being! You’ve always had my endless respect. A respect that will flow effortlessly, even now that you’re no longer with us.

Tomas Lindberg
October 16, 1972 - September 16, 2025

Rest in peace.

Courtesy of Dan Swanö I’ve included a photo below of Tomas, together with Dan, myself and Jens Prueter (Nuclear blast records). A well needed happy memory, as you can clearly see!

On behalf of the band I want to extend our warmest condolences and sympathies to his family, friends, fans and colleagues.

Mikael Åkerfeldt, September 16, 2025