11. Bathory
The metal world was thrown back by the ungodly sounds that the Swedish band Bathory let out in the early 80s. Arguably one of the first true black metal bands, Bathory had a major influence on the sudden rise in the genre during the early 90s. Bathory would eventually evolve into an epic, Viking metal solo project that oozed a darkened atmosphere. The band ended with the death of front man Quorthon in 2004.
Recommended album: Under The Sign Of The Black Mark (1986)12. Therion
Starting out as a no-frills death metal band, Therion would completely change their sound in the mid ‘90s, adding more operatic and classical influences. Choirs and orchestration would become the norm in Therion’s core sound. Even with many lineup changes, Therion has still kept to a symphonic metal sound, with the band’s mastermind Christofer Johnsson leading the way.
Recommended album: Theli (1996)13. Katatonia
Katatonia is another band whose sound has evolved over the years. They started in the early '90s as more of a death/doom band, and these days their music is much more complex and dynamic, but still heavy. Jonas Renske's vocals have also evolved from being harsh to melodic.
Recommended album: Last Fair Deal Gone Down (2003)14. Marduk
Marduk are in the vein of Norwegian black metal bands, but they are Swedish. They've been around since the early '90s and their music is fast and intense with lots of blastbeats and typical black metal shrieky vocals. Their lyrical topics are also typical black metal, focusing on evil and blasphemous subjects.
Recommended album: Heaven Shall Burn...When We Are Gathered (1996)15. Entombed
Entombed is largely credited for starting the Swedish death metal sound. The band’s music is an amalgam of thrash metal, influenced by American death metal bands like Death and Morbid Angel. Relying on stout, primal riffs, Entombed eschewed many of the technical aspects entering into death metal at the time for a more stripped down and raw approach.
Recommended album: Wolverine Blues (1993)16. Dissection
Dissection was another band whose musical accomplishments were overshadowed by their actions. They released two very influential death/black metal albums in the mid '90s, then frontman Jon Nödtveidt was jailed for murder in 1997. After he was released from jail, Dissection resumed, and 2006's Reinkaos got mixed reviews. Nödtveidt committed suicide in 2006.
Recommended album: Storm Of The Light's Bane (1995)17. The Haunted
When At The Gates dissolved in 1996, three of the five members (the Björler brothers and drummer Adrian Erlandsson) formed a new band with guitarist Patrik Jensen and vocalist Peter Dolving. Dolving left for a few years, then returned in 2003. The band's heavy thrash sound and Dolving's penchant for speaking his mind has kept the band in the headlines and on the charts.
Recommended album: The Haunted Made Me Do It (2000)18. HammerFall
Since their formation in 1993, HammerFall has been one of the leading bands in the power metal genre. Dark Tranquillity vocalist Mikael Stanne was also with HammerFall for their first few years, but was replaced by Joacim Cans before the band's 1997 debut.
Recommended album: Glory To The Brave (1997)19. Dark Funeral
Dark Funeral is a black metal band started in 1993 by Lord Ahriman and Blackmoon. Their full-length debut was 1996's The Secrets Of The Black Arts. Blackmoon and original vocalist Themgoroth left the band shortly thereafter. Themrogoth was replaced by current vocalist Emperor Magus Caligula. They are clad in corpsepaint and play fast, brutal and intense black metal.
Recommended album: Diabolis Interium (2001)20. Vintersorg
Vintersorg is the creation of Andreas "Vintersorg" Hedlund, and blends a lot of different genres. Harsh black metal is combined with mellower folk metal and elements of more experimental and avant garde styles. Their music has shifted through the years as well, and Swedish lyrics gave way to English ones, but on 2007's Solens Rötter returned to the band's roots.
Recommended album: Odemarkens Son (2000)