In a new interview with Argentina’s Rocktambulos, DARK TRANQUILLITY and THE HALO EFFECT frontman Mikael Stanne reflected on the recent passing of AT THE GATES vocalist Tomas “Tompa” Lindberg and his immense impact on the Gothenburg metal scene.

“Tompa’s importance to the metal scene in Gothenburg and in Sweden in general cannot be overstated,” Stanne said. “He was, without doubt, the most important character in our city and where we grew up.” He recalled how Lindberg’s deep knowledge of the underground and his boundless passion inspired him to become a vocalist, noting Lindberg’s ability to seemingly know “every fucking album that has been released.”

Stanne also praised Lindberg’s integrity and commitment to extreme metal, explaining that Lindberg helped him understand the genre as something serious and meaningful, not just aggressive or shocking.

Addressing Lindberg’s death, Stanne said, “It’s been a horrible two years knowing that he was struggling and kind of battling this disease,” referring to Lindberg’s long fight with adenoid cystic carcinoma, a rare and aggressive cancer.

Stanne had previously spoken about Lindberg in a September interview with Chile’s PowerOfMetal.cl.