Swedish metal legends Meshuggah are returning to North America next month for a headlining tour with special guests Cannibal Corpse and Carcass. With such an incredible lineup, this is a trek you won’t want to miss. The tour kicks off on March 28 in Quebec City, QC, and runs through April 24. For a full list of tour dates, check out this location. As the tour approaches, Metal Insider will celebrate Meshuggah’s masterful catalog by featuring various artists sharing their five favorite Meshuggah tracks. Each week leading up to the tour, a different artist will reveal their top picks. Our next guest column is Phil Lykostratis of Sicksense, sharing not only his favorite Meshuggah songs but his all-time-favorite Meshuggah record.
Meshuggah is a band that just hits different. As a guitarist, I kept hearing about them from bands I loved. They’re always referenced as a major influence. Tomas Haake’s name came up constantly, too. The first time I listened to them, I admittedly didn’t really get it, but that’s usually how it is with bands I end up loving the most. There’s a certain level of exposure needed before it clicks. Of course, I knew about “Bleed” (and the infamous dancing memes on YouTube), but “Koloss” was the album that sealed the deal for me.
The way they lock into these impossible rhythms, making something so complex feel almost primal, is one of a kind. Tracks like “Demiurge“, “Do Not Look Down“, and “Marrow” were on repeat. As a guitarist, these songs reshaped my approach to rhythm and phrasing, pushing me to explore odd time signatures while maintaining groove, syncopation, and this unrelenting energy that makes Meshuggah so groundbreaking.
“Koloss” isn’t just an album you listen to; it’s something you get swallowed by. Pure, calculated chaos wrapped in groove. Whether I’m waking up grumpy, working out, cleaning the house, or just blasting music alone in the car, Meshuggah is my go-to. They’re the first band that comes to mind when I think of who reshaped modern metal.
