Meshuggah
Meshuggah, whose name is taken from the Hebrew and Yiddish word for “crazy”… Read Full Bio ↴Meshuggah, whose name is taken from the Hebrew and Yiddish word for “crazy”, is a five-piece band from Umeå, Sweden, founded in 1987. The band's style is most easily described as djent or groove metal with some jazz influence. They use extended polymetric passages, polyrhythmic drum patterns, angular, dissonant guitar riffs, and harsh vocals. Their lineup has always been consistent, apart from bass which has been handled by many people since the band’s inception. Their current lineup consists of Jens Kidman (vocals), Fredrik Thordendal (lead/rhythm guitar + backup vocals), Mårten Hagström (rhythm guitar + backup vocals), Dick Lövgren (bass) and Tomas Haake (drums).
Meshuggah is widely acknowledged as an influence on many modern metal bands from Textures to Tool. They are regarded as pioneers by critics and musicians alike.
Discography
Psykisk Testbild (EP, 1989)
Contradictions Collapse (1991)
None (EP, 1994)
Selfcaged (1995)
Destroy Erase Improve (1995)
The True Human Design (1997)
Chaosphere (1998)
Contradictions Collapse and None (1999)
Rare Trax (2001)
Nothing (2002)
I (EP, 2004)
Catch Thirty-Three (2005)
Nothing (Re-Release With DVD) (2006)
obZen (2008)
Alive (2010)
Koloss (2012)
Pitch Black (2013)
The Violent Sleep Of Reason (2016)
Immutable (2022)
Band history
Meshuggah was formed in Umeå in 1987; two years later, the band released their first record, an EP entitled Psykisk Testbild (which can be roughly translated as "Psychological test image". This recording displayed a straightforward thrash metal influenced sound, with some strains along the lines of Metallica's concurrent releases. There were also hints of more complex music in the songwriting. As the group grew older, they further refined the technicality of their musicianship and songwriting. This led to a harsher sound, utilizing strong seven string guitar (and later eight string guitar) rhythms, manic sounding vocals, and a combination of jazz fusion elements as well. This caused the band's style to border on the lines of an esoteric feel. This style has shown to be hard to appreciate by some but it is widely embraced by Meshuggah fans.
While the band's music is extremely intense and aggressive, the members often demonstrate a strong sense of humour: their video for "New Millennium Cyanide Christ" consisted of the five band members sitting inside their tour bus headbanging and air guitaring to the song. Promotional photos of the band often include comical grimacing.
In late 2005, Meshuggah were nominated for a Swedish Grammy for the album Catch Thirty-Three.
Bands such as Dream Theater, God Forbid, Deftones, Textures , Lamb of God, The Safety Fire and Tool have cited Meshuggah as an influence.
Style
Among the band's most recognizable qualities are lead guitar player Fredrik Thordendal's abrasive, chaotic and dischordant solos, singer Jens Kidman's vocals, which resemble manic screams and shouts; the churning, dissonant rhythm guitars and the polymetric drum beats. In a typical Meshuggah song, drummer Tomas Haake plays two separate rhythms: a standard 4/4 beat with his hands, and a completely different metrical subdivision with his feet. The guitars mostly follow the bass drum work, creating an awkwardly pulsating rhythmic pattern to work as the basis of the song.
To give an example, the main riff of the song "New Millennium Cyanide Christ" from their 1998 album Chaosphere follows the aforementioned blueprint. Haake beats a rather slow 4/4 rhythm with his hands, while the bass drums and guitars play a repetitive 23/16 rhythm pattern on top of it. As the subdivided pattern is repeated, the pattern's accents shift to different beats on each repetition. After repeating the 23/16 pattern five times, a shorter 13/16 pattern is played once. These patterns sum up to 128 16th notes, which equals exactly 8 measures in 4/4 meter.
The band has evolved through a number of stylisitic periods. Contradictions Collapse and None have a sound similar to Metallica's concurrent albums. Destroy Erase Improve and Chaosphere have a more distinct off-time influence along with the thrash metal sound. Nothing and Catch Thirty-Three have a sound close to the vein of groove metal, consisting of droning and slow grooves.
While live drums were obviously not abandoned, a unique decision was made to use programmed drum patterns using Toontrack's "Drumkit From Hell" (developed in co-operation with Tomas Haake and Morgan Ågren) sample library on the latest album Catch Thirty-Three, not only providing a more precise and mechanized drumscape, but also making drum beat creativity a more collaborative effort amongst all of the band members. It cemented the album as one of the band's most complex works to date. The band members have, however, stated in several interviews that the decision to use programmed drums was due to the lack of time given by their label to produce the record.
On all records since Nothing, guitarists Thordendal and Hagström use custom-made Nevborn, and custom Ibanez eight string guitars. These guitars add two low strings to allow the crushing, heavy riffs to be played in even lower registers. They currently use Line 6's Vetta II Amps.
In regards to lyrics, the main lyricist of Meshuggah is drummer Tomas Haake, who uses complex, but precise, vocabulary and metaphorical styling. Through abstract descriptions, Haake's lyrics discuss such topics as the self, society, mendaciousness, and the human condition, all with an overarching theme that intertwines with metaphysical concepts relating to the psychedelic experience. While Haake tends to write the majority of the lyrics, guitarist Mårten Hagström also contributes to some songs.
Meshuggah is widely acknowledged as an influence on many modern metal bands from Textures to Tool. They are regarded as pioneers by critics and musicians alike.
Discography
Psykisk Testbild (EP, 1989)
Contradictions Collapse (1991)
None (EP, 1994)
Selfcaged (1995)
Destroy Erase Improve (1995)
The True Human Design (1997)
Chaosphere (1998)
Contradictions Collapse and None (1999)
Rare Trax (2001)
Nothing (2002)
I (EP, 2004)
Catch Thirty-Three (2005)
Nothing (Re-Release With DVD) (2006)
obZen (2008)
Alive (2010)
Koloss (2012)
Pitch Black (2013)
The Violent Sleep Of Reason (2016)
Immutable (2022)
Band history
Meshuggah was formed in Umeå in 1987; two years later, the band released their first record, an EP entitled Psykisk Testbild (which can be roughly translated as "Psychological test image". This recording displayed a straightforward thrash metal influenced sound, with some strains along the lines of Metallica's concurrent releases. There were also hints of more complex music in the songwriting. As the group grew older, they further refined the technicality of their musicianship and songwriting. This led to a harsher sound, utilizing strong seven string guitar (and later eight string guitar) rhythms, manic sounding vocals, and a combination of jazz fusion elements as well. This caused the band's style to border on the lines of an esoteric feel. This style has shown to be hard to appreciate by some but it is widely embraced by Meshuggah fans.
While the band's music is extremely intense and aggressive, the members often demonstrate a strong sense of humour: their video for "New Millennium Cyanide Christ" consisted of the five band members sitting inside their tour bus headbanging and air guitaring to the song. Promotional photos of the band often include comical grimacing.
In late 2005, Meshuggah were nominated for a Swedish Grammy for the album Catch Thirty-Three.
Bands such as Dream Theater, God Forbid, Deftones, Textures , Lamb of God, The Safety Fire and Tool have cited Meshuggah as an influence.
Style
Among the band's most recognizable qualities are lead guitar player Fredrik Thordendal's abrasive, chaotic and dischordant solos, singer Jens Kidman's vocals, which resemble manic screams and shouts; the churning, dissonant rhythm guitars and the polymetric drum beats. In a typical Meshuggah song, drummer Tomas Haake plays two separate rhythms: a standard 4/4 beat with his hands, and a completely different metrical subdivision with his feet. The guitars mostly follow the bass drum work, creating an awkwardly pulsating rhythmic pattern to work as the basis of the song.
To give an example, the main riff of the song "New Millennium Cyanide Christ" from their 1998 album Chaosphere follows the aforementioned blueprint. Haake beats a rather slow 4/4 rhythm with his hands, while the bass drums and guitars play a repetitive 23/16 rhythm pattern on top of it. As the subdivided pattern is repeated, the pattern's accents shift to different beats on each repetition. After repeating the 23/16 pattern five times, a shorter 13/16 pattern is played once. These patterns sum up to 128 16th notes, which equals exactly 8 measures in 4/4 meter.
The band has evolved through a number of stylisitic periods. Contradictions Collapse and None have a sound similar to Metallica's concurrent albums. Destroy Erase Improve and Chaosphere have a more distinct off-time influence along with the thrash metal sound. Nothing and Catch Thirty-Three have a sound close to the vein of groove metal, consisting of droning and slow grooves.
While live drums were obviously not abandoned, a unique decision was made to use programmed drum patterns using Toontrack's "Drumkit From Hell" (developed in co-operation with Tomas Haake and Morgan Ågren) sample library on the latest album Catch Thirty-Three, not only providing a more precise and mechanized drumscape, but also making drum beat creativity a more collaborative effort amongst all of the band members. It cemented the album as one of the band's most complex works to date. The band members have, however, stated in several interviews that the decision to use programmed drums was due to the lack of time given by their label to produce the record.
On all records since Nothing, guitarists Thordendal and Hagström use custom-made Nevborn, and custom Ibanez eight string guitars. These guitars add two low strings to allow the crushing, heavy riffs to be played in even lower registers. They currently use Line 6's Vetta II Amps.
In regards to lyrics, the main lyricist of Meshuggah is drummer Tomas Haake, who uses complex, but precise, vocabulary and metaphorical styling. Through abstract descriptions, Haake's lyrics discuss such topics as the self, society, mendaciousness, and the human condition, all with an overarching theme that intertwines with metaphysical concepts relating to the psychedelic experience. While Haake tends to write the majority of the lyrics, guitarist Mårten Hagström also contributes to some songs.
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Meshuggah Lyrics
- Straws Pulled At Random What solace lies in the arms of fate -The ill embrace…
01-Future Breed Machine An even strobe a pulse of flashing Hatelights of synthetic s…
07. Abnegating Cecity Your words such unessential lies Refract my barred up eyes Y…
07. Mind-s Mirrors The feeding frenzy of my starving soul, gnawing voraciously …
1. Autonomy Lost Reaching for the inner bright, the very essence-sun of my…
1.Future Breed Machine An even strobe a pulse of flashing Hatelights of synthetic s…
12. Suffer in Truth Tortured soul ripping skin into ashes Blind by pain deaf by…
13. Future Breed Machine An even strobe a pulse of flashing Hatelights of synthetic s…
13. Inside What's Within Behind I can't run away from the thing in me I'm weakening…
14. Gods of Rapture I Feel Torn Apart A Vile Misfit Fallen Deep Into…
2. Erroneous Manipulation An inwrought irksome rabbit is washing my stomach I can't st…
5. Re-Inanimate My ignorance cast in the mold of all things absolute I…
6. This Spiteful Snake Reality, this spiteful snake Rearing its ugly head Venom dri…
Abneagating Cecity Your words such unessential lies Refract my barred up eyes Y…
Abnegating Cecity Your words such unessential lies Refract my barred up eyes …
Armies of the Preposterous The awe it instills How grand this revolting spectacle Beyo…
Autonomy Lost Reaching for the inner bright, the very essence-sun of my…
Behind the Sun Carelessly you sentence. How indifferently you kill The prop…
Beneath It's time to go into the me below My morbid self…
Bleed Beams of fire sweep through my head Thrusts of pain increasi…
Born In Dissonance We are origin We are increate You will see our coming for…
Break Those Bones Whose Sinews Gave It Motion Tremors, reverberating Frequency of doom How strongly the vi…
Broken Cog Inside, watching the core Of whatever, we had left of our…
By the Ton To you a beast you think you comprehend Not necessarily made…
Cadaverous Mastication Here we are to stay We all can see the purblind…
Choirs of Devastation Melting hands, as in fear they've ruled but will not anymore…
Clockworks Dismantling the clockwork that makes me the cynic Pallet, wh…
Closed Eye Visuals Unbound to the pale and lifeless day by the multi-colored,…
Combustion No more ifs, no bias, no ambiguity No wondering whether this…
Concatenation A stale organic cage. Incarceration. I'm in the…
Corridor of Chameleons We're the carriers of a new anomaly; Fold, unfold. Bend,…
Dancers to a Discordant System Listen to the hidden tune The essence of lies in note…
Dehumanization A new level reached, where the absence of air lets…
Demiurge Writing and embraced Retribution. Soul eclipse turns solid E…
Disenchantment Me - the paragon of fear, an immobile skein of…
Do Not Look Down Strive, strive, surmount the obstacles Become the essence of…
Don't Speak A stale organic cage. incarceration. I′m in the stranger: me…
Elastic Assembled from dead incompatible pieces; Livid fragments reg…
Electric Red Humanity peeled from our bones Deprived of integuments that …
Entrapment Mutiny of self. Insurrection games convincingly performed In…
Erroneous Manipulation An inwrought irksome rabbit is washing my stomach I can't st…
Futile Breed Machine An even strobe a pulse of flashing Hatelights of synthetic s…
Glints Collide Winds that shine a bright, blinding dark Kerosene flames so…
God He Sees in Mirrors On the throne sits the snake Coiled and irate Self righteous…
Gods Of Rapture I feel torn apart A vile misfit fallen deep into…
Greed Vitalize your benevolent thoughts today Encrust the encumbra…
Humiliative I'm The Concrete Leper Sickness Repulsion Embodied But Hear …
I Look at him yearning, desirous His craving, his hunger Const…
I Am Colossus I'm the great Leviathan, insatiable colossus Titanic engulfe…
I Am That Thirst Look at him yearning, desirous His craving, his hunger Const…
Imprint Of The Un-Saved The scattered jigsaw of my redemption laid out before my…
In Death Iridescent to the searching eyes. I'm all things vivid in…
Inside What's Left Within Behind I can't run away from the thing in me I'm weakening…
Inside What´s Within Behind I can't run away from the thing in me I'm weakening…
Internal Evidence This could've been a good day to enjoy how life can…
Into Decay The most eloquent confession, your silence The most admittin…
Ivory Tower Why mourn this travesty Hide this slow degradation Claw and …
Kaleidoscope This untethering from logic This beautiful, terrifying state…
Lethargica The void clenches its determined jaws A lethargic, careless …
Ligature Marks So here we are Tearing at flesh to scar Carving a mark In…
Light the Shortening Fuse Blinded, gagged and bound by confirmation On this premise we…
Marrow Lasciviously they move Two powers bound for unity Like magne…
Mind The feeding frenzy of my starving soul, gnawing voraciously …
MonstroCity Skyline draped in shimmering red Irradiant and treacherous N…
Nebulous Drowned in this screaming silence Embraced by shadows, they …
Neurotica Subdued and repressed. A son of the vortex in faceless…
New Millenium Cyanide Christ I'm a carnal, organic anagram Human flesh instead of written…
Nostrum Jealous vengeful fabrication Halo-crowned invention Sacred u…
Obsidian [Instrumental]…
ObZen A state of perfection, immersed in filth Equilibrium obtaine…
Organic Shadows The glued-on sheet of self control. The ply of sense,…
Our Rage Won't Die Cry if you need to, disguise, evade, hide Run 'til you…
Paralyzing Ignorance Hear the mourners The earth is gasping for air Sneering at t…
Perpetual Black Second Trapped in a ceaseless fever of spite, an unending fit of…
Personae Non Gratae A lie to maintain equilibrium, to hold me in this…
Phantoms From the realms of past My demon's howl Beyond bridges I lit…
Pineal Gland Optics How come I shiver, hurt and bleed, If in dreams I…
Pitch Black The soul: burned, hard, cracked, A take on these events was…
Pravus Drooling floods of lead Armed with distorted belief Sharp mu…
Qualms of Reality Redundant cruelty Children are shoveled into enclosed solitu…
Rational Gaze Squint your eyes to see clearly Blur reality to make it…
Re-Inanimate My ignorance cast in the mold of all things absolute I…
Ritual I Alone i fill my head With Everything i have See Into my em…
Rituál I Alone I Fill My Head With Everything I Have…
Sane Come and hear my twisted lies, the way I bend…
Shed I float through physical thoughts. I stare down the abyss…
Sickening Noone Knows The Soul Of Tears And Why Can't We…
Soul Burn Inner perception trapped in a soul cage Human wreckage I lea…
Spasm Stroboscopic contorsion-assault. Lightbulb language translat…
Stengah Lacerating pains of degeneration speed through your tremblin…
Stifled Impotent king beneath our feet You can rule down where you…
Straws Pulled At Random What solace lies in the arms of fate -The ill embrace…
Sub Levels Back again within myself Asleep but aware I'm lost again E…
Suffer in Truth Tortured soul ripping skin into ashes Blind by pain deaf by…
Sum Vision will blind. Severance ties. Median am I. True are…
Swarm Insectine man, carnivore. The shape of us, the conduct of…
Terminal Illusions I don't need religion God bless no one Me and my own…
The Abysmal Eye Relentless and inexorable This menacing creation That we our…
The Debt of Nature A stale organic cage. incarceration. i'm in the stranger: me…
The Demon Mechanical compound eye Imposed observance. Sentries in the …
The Demon’s Name Is Surveillance Mechanical compound eye Imposed observance. Sentries in the…
The Exquisite Machinery Of To A sustained static gaze, oblivious to surroundings. Empty, …
The Exquisite Machinery of Torture A sustained static gaze, oblivious to surroundings. Empty, s…
The Faultless A slow violence of words This injurious game you play Spitef…
The Hurt That Finds You First End this debate. No need to dream of solace I'll be…
The Mouth Licking What You've Bled I'M THE SHALLOW, THE SUPERFICIAL. I'M THE COMMON MAN. FAITHL…
The Paradoxial spiral Non-physical smothering. Asphyxiation by oxygen hands Drown…
The Paradoxical Spiral Non-physical smothering, asphyxiation by oxygen hands Drowni…
The Violent Sleep Of Reason A systematically applied veil to heedless eyes Focus deflec…
This Spiteful Snake Reality, this spiteful snake Rearing its ugly head Venom dri…
Transfixion Trapped in a gaze where time stand still Connected to a…
Vanished Convalescent livid we succumb Stagnation now complete This i…
Violent Sleep Of Reason A systematically applied veil to heedless eyes Focus deflec…
War a stale organic cage. incarceration. i'm in the stranger: me…
We'll Never See the Day Justice runed by eternal travesty Bloodcurdling hammer soon …