At The Gates Issue Statement Following Tomas Lindberg’s Death
As the metal world grips with the tragic loss of 52-year-old At The Gates frontman Tomas Lindberg following his battle with adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC), tributes have been pouring in from all over. His family confirmed the musician’s death to Swedish public broadcaster SVT Nyheter, putting a definitive end to a heartbreaking chapter in the band’s history.
In a heartfelt Facebook post following the announcement, At The Gates said goodbye to their founding vocalist.
“Tomas passed away this morning following complications related to his ongoing cancer treatment. Despite intensive medical efforts, his life could not be saved.
Tomas – You were an inspiration to us all. A true friend, both compassionate & sympathetic. You will always be remembered for your generosity and your creative spirit.
You will be eternally missed.
Forever in our hearts.”
Lindberg was diagnosed with ACC, which the Cleveland Clinic describes as a “rare type of cancer that affects your glandular tissues [that] commonly forms in your salivary glands,” back in December 2023. That diagnosis led to the unexpected cancellation of their spring and summer shows in 2024, which was then followed by radio silence from the band.
It wasn’t until last month that the band and Lindberg publicly disclosed his health issues. By that point, Lindberg already had a large portion of the roof of his mouth removed early on in his treatment and underwent a run of chemotherapy. Despite those efforts, doctors found that the cancer returned earlier this year. That led to the band disclosing his condition and letting fans know that he was receiving “around-the-clock care”.
Ever the professional, Lindberg told fans at the time that the vocals for the forthcoming At The Gates album had been recorded before his diagnosis, with the final takes being recorded the day before his surgery. He ended his statement at that time with what is now his parting message to the world:
“Take care of yourself, your loved ones and the time you have on this earth.”
We at MetalSucks extend our deepest condolences to Tomas Lindberg’s friends, family, and loved ones during this difficult time.
