Dead by April

Formed in Gothenburg in 2007 around Pontus Hjelm and Jimmie Strimell, Dead by April develops a modern metal in which metalcore and post-hardcore intersect with highly melodic choruses, electronic textures, and a writing style close to pop metal. The Swedish band made a name for itself already at the end of the 2000s with a pronounced contrast between clean vocals and screams, at the heart of a clear, dense sound that is immediately identifiable. Its first album, Dead by April, appeared in 2009, followed by Incomparable in 2011, a period during which the band toured in Scandinavia and the United Kingdom and also appeared at Melodifestivalen with the track "Mystery" in 2012. The history of Dead by April is marked by numerous lineup changes, while Pontus Hjelm and bassist Markus Wesslén remain the main continuity anchors. After Let the World Know in 2014 and Worlds Collide in 2017, Dead by April continues its evolution with an ever-strong emphasis on the alternation between rhythmic aggression, highly legible melodies, and contemporary production. Since 2020, Christopher Kristensen has taken on the screams, and this new configuration has led to several singles before the release of The Affliction in 2024. Dead by April thus occupies a singular place in the Swedish scene by blending melodic extreme metal, alternative rock, and a sense of song.