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Tomas \u201cTompa\u201d Lindberg, the ferocious voice behind Swedish death metal pioneers At the Gates, has died. He was 52.<\/p>\n
The singer\u2019s family confirmed the news to Swedish public broadcaster SVT Nyheter<\/a> on Tuesday, September 16. That same day, Lindberg\u2019s friend David Isberg \u2014 a founding member of Opeth \u2014 paid tribute on Instagram<\/a>, posting a carousel of photos and writing: \u201cTomas \u2018Goatspell\u2019 Lindberg 10-16-1972 \u2013 09-16-2025. It is cold out here Ans lonely is my journey I walk the trail of broken souls The darkest path through infinity.\u201d<\/p>\n Lindberg\u2019s illness became public on August 15, when At the Gates posted a health update<\/a> on their social channels. In that announcement, they explained that the vocalist had been diagnosed with adenoid cystic carcinoma in December 2023. According to the Cleveland Clinic<\/a>, the disease is rare, making up about 1% of all head and neck cancers. It usually starts in the salivary glands but can also appear in other glands, such as those that produce tears or sweat. For Lindberg, the cancer began in his mouth and led to a major surgery where part of the roof of his mouth was removed, followed by two months of radiation.<\/p>\n \ud83c\udfac <\/strong>SIGN UP for Parade’s Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox<\/strong><\/a> \ud83c\udfac<\/strong><\/p>\n Alongside their update, the band shared a personal letter Lindberg had written in March. In it, he described how doctors later found cancer that couldn\u2019t be treated with more surgery or radiation, and that chemotherapy would likely be the next step. By May, he had suffered a serious setback and was moved into long-term hospital care.<\/p>\n Even while fighting the disease, Lindberg made sure the band\u2019s work would continue. He revealed that he had recorded all of his vocals for the next At the Gates album in a single day, just before undergoing surgery, so the record would be finished. That album, which does not yet have a release date, will stand as his final work with the band.<\/p>\n \ud83c\udfa4 <\/strong>SIGN UP for our The Voice newsletter to get access to exclusive news, interviews, insider info, sneak peeks & more<\/strong><\/a> \ud83c\udfa4<\/strong><\/p>\n News of his passing sparked an immediate outpouring of tributes online.<\/p>\n \u201cRIP. Going to blast Slaughter of the Soul loud tonight,\u201d one fan wrote on X.<\/p>\n \u201cGoddamn man this one hurts,\u201d another said.<\/p>\n \u201cOne of the best voices in the game, we will miss him,\u201d read a third post.<\/p>\n \u201cRest in peace Tomas Lindberg. Modern metal as we know it would not be what it is today without you,\u201d another fan added.<\/p>\n At the Gates has yet to release an official statement on his death.<\/p>\n This story was originally reported by Parade<\/a> on Sep 16, 2025, where it first appeared in the News<\/a> section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.<\/a><\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n