Damn You, Ozzy Osbourne, for Preventing Us From Fully Mourning At the Gates Frontman Tomas Lindberg When He Too Died
It’s a crisp, autumn afternoon in a quasi-rural area in America’s Pacific Northwest, and something feels off. No, it’s not that we were apparently, miraculously spared from the apocalyptic fires and resulting ash that typically choke us out for weeks practically every year as a result of climate change. Nor is it that Trump and his MAGA minions are tying up the remaining ends that will cement America’s transition from a democracy into a country ruled by a king (and, if we’re being generous, equally megalomaniacal and sadistic billionaire oligarchs).
Rather, what’s stuck in this writer’s craw today is the gaping maw – expected in the mainstream, because Ozzy was more tabloid fodder than musician in his twilight years – but shameful in the metal world, where former social studies teacher Lindberg’s impact on underground metal was if not as seismic than still immeasurable than Osbourne’s role in bringing metal to the masses. Needless to say, the deaths of each metal vocalist powerhouse was saddening and unsettling, but it bears noting that they epitomized different factions of the music genre that – attendance size aside – are standing, more or less, on equal ground.
Metallica, Judas Priest and Iron Maiden may not have existed, or enjoyed such long tenures, were it not for Ozzy (and, lest it need to be stated, the three of his bandmates who continue to be towering figures in their own right). But were it not for At the Gates, one could claim that the careers of In Flames, Dark Tranquillity and Amon Amarth could have been far shorter, and that “melodic death metal” wouldn’t hadn’t grown from a fuzzy cub into an uncompromising and merciless 420-pound lion that has infiltrated all if not most metal scenes across the globe.
Ozzy died on July 22 at 76 years old. Memorials and celebrations of his life – many of them attended by the British royal family, which is still difficult to wrap one’s head around – lasted through the end of the month. Lindberg died last month at age 52, when Osbourne’s passing still dominated metal news coverage.
There are two silver linings to this discussion, which is no way intended to spark beef between mainstream and underground metal fans, but does deserve attention as it starkly reveals how much more highly valued the ultra-rich are compared with “less-than” artists who live modestly or often beyond their means.
For one, Moonspell vocalist Fernando Riberio fondly recalled Lindberg in a conversation with The Bad Penny earlier this week. Similarly, ex-Amon Amarth drummer and current Fimbul Winter member Frederik Andersson spoke with us less than two weeks ago about how no metal musician will be able to replace the “unicorn” that was Lindberg.
As for another glimmer of hope, the families, friends and bandmates of both deceased metal legends appear to be turning the tragedies of their lost loved ones into opportunities to help others. The Obournes are providing funds to the Cure Parkinson’s Trust (Ozzy suffered from the disease), Birmingham Children’s Hospital and Acorn Children’s Hospice. The remaining members of At the Gates are asking fans to donate to the Swedish Cancer Society (Lindberg died of a rare form of cancer.)
Amen to both camps for engaging in those charitable efforts, and may the afterlife be pleasant for two vocalists who devoted their careers to painting such terrifying visions of it in order to entertain the rest of us.
For more coverage of Lindberg and At the Gates, check out:
• At The Gates Eye Next LP; Tomas Lindberg Talks Philosophy, Literature In Epic Conversation
• Best Albums of 2021: Gojira, Dying Wish, At the Gates, Der Weg Einer Freiheit
• Best Albums Of 2018: Agrimonia, UADA, At The Gates, Harakiri for the Sky, Immortal
• Best Albums Of 2014: Nux Vomica, At The Gates, Harakiri For The Sky
• Wordle’d: At The Gates, In Flames, Dark Tranquillity Albums
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