Hypocrisy (band)

Hypocrisy is a Swedish death metal band formed in October 1991 in Ludvika by Peter Tägtgren.^[1][2]

Hypocrisy
Hypocrisy in 2006
Background information
Origin	Ludvika, Sweden
Genres	Melodic death metal death metal (early)
Years active	1991–present
Labels	Nuclear Blast
Members	Peter Tägtgren Mikael Hedlund Tomas Elofsson Henrik Axelsson
Past members	Reidar "Horgh" Horghagen Klas Ideberg Masse Broberg Jonas Österberg Lars Szöke Mathias Kamijo Andreas Holma
Website	hypocrisyband.com

History

After spending three years in Fort Lauderdale, Florida,^[3] in 1990, founder Peter Tägtgren returned to his homeland of Sweden, to form his own band. Hypocrisy's early releases were noted as being well-executed death metal, but panned for not being particularly innovative. That criticism waned as the band matured, cultivating a more distinctive sound as well as employing an introspective lyrical approach. Later releases have a more atmospheric sound, with lyrical exploration of aliens and abduction experiences.

Tägtgren's experience as a producer may also have led to the band's change in musical direction, as he is more closely involved with many other bands while producing their albums.

After twice cancelling a U.S. tour in 2009, Hypocrisy confirmed a North American tour for 2010. Joining them on the "Long Time, No Death" tour were Scar Symmetry, Hate, Blackguard and Swashbuckle. From January to March 2010, they toured Germany, Eastern Europe and Scandinavia, finishing in Moscow. Their North American tour took place in May 2010.

On 14 October 2011, Hypocrisy released a DVD called Hell Over Sofia - 20 Years of Chaos and Confusion. It contains a full concert from the "Long Time, No Death" tour. The DVD also contains a one and a half-hour documentary about the band.^[4] On 10 November 2011, Mikael Hedlund announced writing material for a new studio album during an interview with Metal Shock Finland's chief editor, Mohsen Fayyazi. Mikael tells Metal Shock Finland:

It's too early to say what it's going to sounds like, but all I can say is that it's not gonna be any change of style. It will be a classic HYPOCRISY album without [any] compromises. We already got some material and we're really looking forward to enter the studio again. We don't know yet when it will [be], but hopefully after the summer 2012. Nothing is confirmed yet. We're doing the Metalfest tour [of Europe] in May/June plus some other festivals. That's the plans at the moment.

^[5][6][7]

In early 2012 the band began to write new material for a follow-up to A Taste of Extreme Divinity. On 21 December 2012 Hypocrisy announced that the title of the upcoming album is End of Disclosure.^[8] It was released on 22 March 2013.

Hypocrisy's thirteenth studio album, and first in eight years, Worship was released on 26 November 2021. The album was preceded by a music video for the first single "Chemical Whore".^[9] It was later elected by Loudwire as the 32nd best metal song of 2021.^[10]

On 5 April 2022, via the band's official Facebook page, the band announced the departure of Horgh from the band.^[11] He was replaced a week later by Henrik Axelsson of The Crown.^[12]

Musical style and lyrical themes

Musically, the band started off with a traditional death metal sound on their early albums, but soon turned into a melodic death metal band.^[13][14] Their early lyrics – written by original vocalist Masse Broberg – dealt with anti-Christian themes and Satanism. The band later focused on themes such as the paranormal and extraterrestrials. Their tenth album, Virus, contains themes more typical of death metal such as violence, the horrors of reality, insanity, torture, war, drug addiction, and emotional strife. Their twelfth album, End of Disclosure, uses conspiracy and anti-Illuminati themes.

Members

• Hypocrisy live at Rockharz Open Air 2019
•  
  Peter Tägtgren
•  
  Mikael Hedlund
•  
  Tomas Elofsson

Current members Peter Tägtgren – guitars (1991–present), vocals (1993–present) Mikael Hedlund – bass (1991–present) Tomas Elofsson – guitars (2010–present) Henrik Axelsson – drums (2022–present)

Former members Magnus "Masse" Broberg – vocals (1992–1993) Lars Szöke – drums (1992–2004) Jonas Österberg – guitars (1992) Mathias Kamijo – guitars (1995–2004) Horgh – drums (2004–2022) Andreas Holma – guitars (2004–2006)

Live members Klas Ideberg – guitars (2006) Alexi Laiho – guitars (2009)

Timeline

Discography

Studio albums

Title	Album details	Peak chart positions							Sales
		GER ^[15]	SWE ^[16]	AUT ^[17]	FRA ^[18]	SWI ^[19]	FIN ^[20]	US Heat ^[21]
Penetralia	Released: 5 October 1992 Label: Nuclear Blast Formats: CD, CS, LP, DL	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Osculum Obscenum	Released: 12 October 1993 Label: Nuclear Blast Formats: CD, CS, LP, DL	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
The Fourth Dimension	Released: 25 October 1994 Label: Nuclear Blast Formats: CD, CS, LP, DL	66	—	—	—	—	—	—
Abducted	Released: 13 February 1996 Label: Nuclear Blast Formats: CD, CS, LP, DL	86	—	—	—	—	—	—
The Final Chapter	Released: 11 November 1997 Label: Nuclear Blast Formats: CD, CS, LP, DL	76	—	—	—	—	—	—
Hypocrisy	Released: 22 June 1999 Label: Nuclear Blast Formats: CD, CS, LP, DL	85	—	—	—	—	—	—
Into the Abyss	Released: 22 August 2000 Label: Nuclear Blast Formats: CD, CS, LP, DL	64	—	—	—	—	—	—
Catch 22	Released: 19 March 2002 Label: Nuclear Blast Formats: CD, CS, LP, DL	78	—	—	—	—	—	—
The Arrival	Released: 16 February 2004 Label: Nuclear Blast Formats: CD, CD+DVD, LP, DL	—	—	71	—	—	—	—
Virus	Released: 5 September 2005 Label: Nuclear Blast Formats: CD, CD+DVD, LP, DL	76	58	75	—	—	—	—
A Taste of Extreme Divinity	Released: 23 October 2009 Label: Nuclear Blast Formats: CD, LP, DL	62	—	66	184	—	—	23	US: 1,400+^[22]
End of Disclosure	Released: 22 March 2013 Label: Nuclear Blast Formats: CD, LP, DL	35	29	56	151	53	30	12	US: 3,000+^[23]
Worship	Released: 26 November 2021 Label: Nuclear Blast Formats: CD, LP, DL	16	—	—	—	16	12 ^[24]	—
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

EPs

Title	EP details
Pleasure of Molestation	Released: 13 March 1993 Label: Relapse Records Formats: CD
Inferior Devoties	Released: 1994 Label: Nuclear Blast Formats: CD, DL
Maximum Abduction	Released: 25 February 1996 Label: Nuclear Blast Formats: CD
Too Drunk to Fuck	Released: 2 August 2013 Label: Nuclear Blast Formats: LP

Compilation albums

Title	Album details
10 Years of Chaos and Confusion	Released: 21 August 2001^[25] Label: Nuclear Blast Formats: CD

Live albums

Title	Album details
Hypocrisy Destroys Wacken	Released: 2 March 1999 Label: Nuclear Blast Formats: CD
Hell Over Sofia - 20 Years of Chaos and Confusion	Released: 14 October 2011 Label: Nuclear Blast Formats: 2CD+DVD

Video albums

Title	Video details	Peak chart positions
		SWE ^[26]
Hypocrisy Destroys Wacken	Released: 14 September 1999^[27] Label: Nuclear Blast Formats: VHS	—
Live & Clips	Released: 17 April 2001^[28] Label: Nuclear Blast Formats: DVD	—
Hell over Sofia - 20 Years of Chaos and Confusion	Released: 14 October 2011 Label: Nuclear Blast Formats: DVD	15
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Music videos

Year	Title	Directed	Album
1992	"Left to Rot"	—	Penetralia
	"Impotent God"	—
1993	"Pleasure of Molestation"	—	Osculum Obscenum
	"Inferior Devoties"	—
1996	"Roswell 47"	—	Abducted
1997	"The Final Chapter"	—	The Final Chapter
2004	"Eraser"	—	The Arrival
2005	"Scrutinized"	Mike Adelica^[29]	Virus
2010	"Weed Out the Weak"	Denis Goria^[30]	A Taste of Extreme Divinity
2013	"End of Disclosure"^[31]	—	End of Disclosure
	"Tales of Thy Spineless"^[32]	—
2021	"Children of the Gray"^[33]	—	Worship

References

1. Harris, Chris (14 July 2005). "Metal File: Motley Crue, Soulfly, Nile & More - News Story | Music, Celebrity, Artist News | MTV News". MTV.com. Retrieved 18 October 2011. Swedish death-metal veterans Hypocrisy will release their 10th studio album, Virus, on September 19.
2. . Hypocrisy.cc. Archived from the original on 9 November 2019. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
3. . FaceCulture.nl. 22 March 2007. Archived from the original on 10 October 2007. Retrieved 16 October 2007.
4. "Hypocrisy - New DVD Announced". Metalstorm.net. 11 August 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
5. "HYPOCRISY Working On New Material". Blabbermouth.net. 10 November 2011. Retrieved 4 December 2012.
6. Fayyazi, Mohsen (10 November 2011). "Interview With Hypocrisy: Our new DVD is including a documentary and finally we can tell the true story of Hypocrisy". Metal Shock Finland. Retrieved 4 December 2012.
7. "HYPOCRISY's Mikael Hedlund - "We're Focusing On Writing A New Album"". Bravewords.com. Retrieved 4 December 2012.
8. "HYPOCRISY's Peter Tägtgren Discusses Writing Process For End Of Disclosure Album; Audio Interview Posted". Bravewords. 27 February 2013. Retrieved 18 January 2014.
9. "HYPOCRISY To Release 'Worship' Album In November; 'Chemical Whore' Music Video Available". Blabbermouth.net. 10 September 2021. Retrieved 10 September 2021.
10. Al-Sharif, Rabab; DiVita, Joe; Hartmann, Graham; Richardson, Jake; Trapp, Philip; Summan, Yasmine (6 December 2021). "The 35 Best Metal Songs of 2021". Loudwire. Townsquare Media. Retrieved 31 December 2021.
11. "Hypocrisy announced the departure of Horgh on Facebook".
12. "HYPOCRISY Recruits THE CROWN Drummer HENRIK AXELSSON". Blabbermouth.net. 12 April 2022. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
13. "On the road at the New England Metal Festival: part 2 (continued)". Dailycollegian.com. 10 May 2005. Retrieved 2012-01-04.
14. "Ohio State U.: CD REVIEW: In Flames scorches with 'Come Clarity'. | The America's Intelligence Wire". Accessmylibrary.com. 10 February 2006. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
15. "Discographie von Hypocrisy". GfK Entertainment. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
16. Hung, Steffen. "swedishcharts.com - Swedish Charts Portal". swedishcharts.com. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
17. Hung, Steffen. "Das österreichische Hitparaden- und Musik-Portal". austriancharts.at. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
18. Hung, Steffen. "lescharts.com - Les charts français". lescharts.com. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
19. Hung, Steffen. "Die Offizielle Schweizer Hitparade und Music Community". Hitparade.ch. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
20. Hung, Steffen. "finnishcharts.com - Finnish charts portal". finnishcharts.com. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
21. "Billboard - Music Charts, News, Photos & Video". Billboard.com. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
22. "HYPOCRISY: Behind-The-Scenes Footage From Making Of 'End Of Disclosure' Video". Blabbermouth.net. 4 March 2013. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
23. "Metal By Numbers 4/24: The Charts Look Like They've Seen A GhostMetal Insider". Metalinsider.net. 24 April 2013. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
24. "Albumit 48/2021" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
25. "10 Years of Chaos and Confusion - Hypocrisy - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
26. . Archived from the original on 26 December 2015. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
27. "Hypocrisy Destroys Wacken [Video] - Hypocrisy - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
28. "Live and Clips - Hypocrisy - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
29. "Music – Music News, New Songs, Videos, Music Shows and Playlists from MTV". Mtv.com. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
30. "HYPOCRISY: 'Weed Out The Weak' Video Released". Blabbermouth.net. 23 April 2010. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
31. "HYPOCRISY - "End Of Disclosure" video prem..." Nuclearblast.de. 22 February 2013. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
32. Hypocrisy (5 April 2013). "HYPOCRISY - Tales Of Thy Spineless (OFFICIAL VIDEO)". YouTube. Retrieved 18 July 2018.
33. Hypocrisy (5 November 2021). "HYPOCRISY - Children of the Gray (OFFICIAL VIDEO)". YouTube. Retrieved 5 January 2023.

External links

• Official website