As if things weren’t already looking up in 2021, Meshuggah are back in the studio.
The Swedish tech-metal giants have revealed that they’re holed up in Sweet Spot Studios in their native Sweden, where they’re working on a follow-up to 2016’s The Violent Sleep Of Reason.
“Things are happening,” say the band in an Instagram post. “As some of you figured out we have entered Sweetspot Studios and have begun recording a new album. ::Spoiler:: There will be distortion and kicks.”
The sessions also see the return of guitarist Fredrik Thordendal, who announced a hiatus from the band in 2017.
“We are releasing [Thordendal’s stand-in] Per Nilsson back into the wild to roam free in any way he sees fit. It has been a true privilege and honor to share the stage with Per and even more importantly we have made a great friend through our travels. Per. We thank you. You are a formidable human being!!
“So why are we releasing Per back into a more stable habitat you ask? The answer is simple. Fredrik will be back for lead work on the album as well as touring going forward. In other words. The band is back together. In full effect."
While there’s no confirmed title or release date for the album, Meshuggah have lined up a lengthy European tour for winter 2021, plus a one-off date at London’s Albert Hall in the summer of 2022.
Meshuggah 2021/2022 tour dates
2021
Nov 19 Vienna Arena, AUS
Nov 20 Munich Tonhalle, GER
Nov 22 Lyon Le Transbordeur, FRA
Nov 23 Wiesbaden Schlachthof, GER
Nov 25 Tilburg 013, NL
Nov 26 Esch Sur Alzette - Rockhal LUX
Nov 27 Lille L’Aeronef, FRA
Nov 28 Paris - L’Olympia, FRA
Nov 30 Milan - Alcatraz, ITA
Dec 01 Zurich Samsung Hall, CH
Dec 02 Leipzig - Haus Auensee, GER
Dec 03 Oberhausen - Ruhrpott Metal Meeting, GER
Dec 05 Bristol O2 Academy, UK
Dec 06 Glasgow Barrowlands, UK
Dec 08 Manchester Academy, UK
Dec 09 Nottingham Rock City, UK
Dec 11 Brussels Ancienne Belgique, BEL
Dec 12 Berlin Columbiahalle, GER
Dec 13 Hamburg Große Freiheit, GER
2022
June 03 London Royal Albert Hall, UK