History (and a 12-year hiatus) may have sidelined At The Gates as a cult band, but the modern metal landscape would be vastly different without them. The Gothenburg mavens’ collision of death metal force, thrash precision and NWOBHM guitar leads was a prime influence on an array of millennial aggressors, from Killswitch Engage to Trivium. Yet none have rivalled their idols’ dexterity and energy.
Over 30 years, At The Gates have traversed from extreme metal to melodeath and even dashes of prog, and it’s still impossible to predict quite what each new release will sound like. To celebrate their legacy and ongoing excellence, Hammer’s ranked the band’s seven albums from worst to best:
