Nothing: 20th Anniversary

Formed in Umeå, Sweden in 1987, Meshuggah has evolved into a band hailed by Rolling Stone as "one of the ten most important hard and heavy bands," garnering immense respect from fans and peers alike. Their journey from Sweden to the prestigious Ozzfest began with their inaugural release, often referred to as Psykisk Testbild (translated as "Psychological Test Picture"), despite its lack of an official title. This vinyl-only record was crafted around 1989 by vocalist/guitarist Jens Kidman, guitarist Fredrik Thordendal, and bassist Peter Nordin.

Shortly after, drummer Tomas Haake joined Meshuggah, marking a pivotal moment as they geared up for their debut full-length album, "Contradictions Collapse". The band underwent a period of transformation: Kidman shifted focus to vocals exclusively, while Haake's friend Mårten Hagström joined the lineup. This era saw the release of two EPs ("None" and the now rare "Selfcaged"), followed by the critically acclaimed "Destroy, Erase, Improve" and the EP "True Human Design".

A significant milestone arrived in 1998 with "Chaosphere", catapulting Meshuggah into extensive global tours and prestigious festival appearances. Despite plans to seclude themselves for studio work, the band unexpectedly secured a spot on the coveted Ozzfest tour, sharing stages with System of a Down, P.O.D., Down, and Mushroomhead. Leading up to the festival, Meshuggah dedicated themselves entirely to creating their next album, "Nothing", spending six intense weeks recording at Dug-Out Studios with Daniel Bergstrand (known for his work with Stuck Mojo and In Flames), Area 51, and Fear and Loathing Studios.

Following the precise craftsmanship of "Chaosphere", "Nothing" presented a more direct approach, solidifying its reputation as Meshuggah's heaviest album to date. Fast-forward to 2022, and this masterpiece is being reintroduced to audiences, reaffirming its significance in the band's discography and within the metal genre as a whole.

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