The worldwide metal scene shall be proud of having The Haunted, who can be described as the ultimate masters of the thrash/death metal! The Swedish killing machine, carrying extraordinary weight and great influence, was born in Gothenburg, in 1996. They rose from the ashes of the legendary At the Gates and quickly established themselves as one of the most important names in contemporary thrash and melodic death metal. Over the years, The Haunted have become an intriguing story of creative vision and raw extreme metal energy, a band that faced many challenges but always returned stronger, louder and more determined. Read here the story of The Haunted, some days only before their live show in Athens Greece!
by Dimitris Zacharopoulos
The Haunted started, just a day after At the Gates officially split up. Three of its members, brothers Anders and Jonas Björler (guitar and bass) and drummer Adrian Erlandsson, wanted to keep making music. Guitarist Patrik Jensen (formerly of Seance and Witchery) and vocalist Peter Dolving joined them, and that’s how The Haunted was born.
In 1997 they recorded a demo, which caught the attention of Earache Records. A year later, their self-titled debut (1998) was released. The album instantly made waves – with its razor-sharp riffs, furious drumming and harsh vocals, it captured the spirit of classic thrash metal, while injecting the melodic intensity of the Gothenburg scene. The record was widely praised. Terrorizer magazine named it “Album of the Year”, and The Haunted themselves were hailed as “Newcomer of the Year”. From the start, it was clear: The Haunted were no ordinary band.
With their debut, The Haunted toured extensively, sharing stages with bands like Napalm Death and earning respect for their aggressive live performances. However, change came quickly. In 1999, both vocalist Peter Dolving and drummer Adrian Erlandsson left the band. This could have ended their journey before it even truly began. Instead, The Haunted found new strength. Vocalist Marco Aro and drummer Per Möller Jensen stepped in, and the band moved forward.
The Haunted’s second album, “Made Me Do It” (2000), marked a turning point. More melodic than the debut, it leaned closer to the “Gothenburg sound” that At the Gates had pioneered, but with a thrash edge that set it apart. The album was a success – it even won a Swedish Grammy for Best Hard Rock Album!
The Haunted toured Europe with Entombed and Nile, played in Japan with In Flames and appeared at major festivals like Wacken Open Air and Graspop Metal Meeting. They also released “Live Rounds in Tokyo”, their first live album, proving their live firepower could be captured on record.
In 2003, they dropped “One Kill Wonder”. Songs like “D.O.A.” and “Shadow World” showed their ability to combine brutal riffing with memorable hooks. The album topped metal radio charts in the U.S. and cemented their status as one of the most important new bands of the era.
Change struck again when vocalist Marco Aro left in 2003. Instead of collapsing, The Haunted brought back Peter Dolving, their original singer. This marked the beginning of a new era. With Dolving, they recorded “Revolver” (2004). This album combined aggression with a slightly more experimental edge. Fans and critics praised it, and the band toured the world, including a slot at Ozzfest 2005. The Haunted were now an established international force.
However, they kept evolving. “The Dead Eye” (2006) showed a darker, more technical side of their sound, with Dolving’s lyrics taking on an unsettling, almost sinister tone. “Versus” (2008) continued this path, mixing their thrash roots with a willingness to explore atmosphere and complexity.
By this point, The Haunted had released a string of successful records, won multiple Swedish Grammys, and built a reputation as a band that never stood still. They weren’t afraid to take risks, even if it meant dividing fans.
In 2011, they released “Unseen”, their seventh album, which took an even more experimental direction. While some praised it for its ambition, others were surprised by the softer, more alternative sound. The reactions were mixed, and the band entered a turbulent period.
In 2012, vocalist Peter Dolving, guitarist Anders Björler, and drummer Per Möller Jensen all left the band. For the first time, the future of The Haunted looked uncertain. A hiatus followed, with only Jensen and Jonas Björler remaining.
The story could have ended there. Instead, it sparked a rebirth. In 2013, guitarist Patrik Jensen and bassist Jonas Björler decided not to let The Haunted die. They reached out to former vocalist Marco Aro, who agreed to return. At the same time, original drummer Adrian Erlandsson rejoined. With the addition of guitarist Ola Englund, the lineup was complete.
This new era was marked by the “Eye of the Storm” EP (2014), followed by the crushing full-length “Exit Wounds” later that year. With its energy and aggressive riffing, the album was hailed as a return to form. In 2017, The Haunted released “Strength in Numbers”. Once again, they proved their ability to evolve while staying true to their thrash and death metal roots.
By 2024, The Haunted were back in the studio, working on their tenth album. On March 2025, they announced “Songs of Last Resort”, which was finally released on May 30th. With Adrian Erlandsson behind the drums, Ola Englund on guitar, Marco Aro’s commanding vocals and the Björler-Jensen backbone, fans enjoyed another furious chapter in the band’s course.
Mixing old-school thrash metal aggression with the melodic intensity of Gothenburg death metal makes The Haunted special compared to other extreme metal bands. Their riffs are sharp, their rhythms are tight, and their vocals — whether delivered by Aro or Dolving — carry a mix of anger, despair, and unfiltered power. And unlike many bands, The Haunted are not afraid to change. Some albums are straight thrash assaults, while others explore atmosphere, melody, even alternative rock ideas. This willingness to experiment has made them both loved and debated in the metal community. The Haunted are also known for their live shows. From sweaty clubs to massive festivals like Wacken and Ozzfest, they have built a reputation for energy and intensity. Vocalists Aro and Dolving both had different styles on stage, but each brought passion and presence that connected deeply with audiences. Almost 30 years after their formation, The Haunted remain one of Sweden’s most important metal bands. They may not always receive the mainstream attention that some of their peers do, but among fans of thrash, death and extreme metal, they are legendary.
