The Swedish death metal band Hypocrisy was formed by Peter Tägtgren in 1990 upon his return to Sweden from Florida, where he had been inspired by that state's flourishing death metal scene (bands like Morbid Angel, Deicide, Death and Obituary). Hypocrisy's first demo was recorded entirely by Tägtgren himself; once it secured him a record deal, he recruited a lineup of Masse Broberg (Vocals), Jonas Österberg (Guitar), Mikael Hedlund (Bass) and Lars Szöke (Drums), while he himself settled on guitar. This lineup released "Penetralia in 1992, upon which point Österberg left the group. "Obsculum Obscenum" appeared in 1993, and Broberg subsequently departed as well, with Tägtgren assuming vocal duties. ...show more

The Swedish death metal band Hypocrisy was formed by Peter Tägtgren in 1990 upon his return to Sweden from Florida, where he had been inspired by that state's flourishing death metal scene (bands like Morbid Angel, Deicide, Death and Obituary). Hypocrisy's first demo was recorded entirely by Tägtgren himself; once it secured him a record deal, he recruited a lineup of Masse Broberg (Vocals), Jonas Österberg (Guitar), Mikael Hedlund (Bass) and Lars Szöke (Drums), while he himself settled on guitar. This lineup released "Penetralia in 1992, upon which point Österberg left the group. "Obsculum Obscenum" appeared in 1993, and Broberg subsequently departed as well, with Tägtgren assuming vocal duties.

Thus reconstituted as a power trio, Hypocrisy began to hit its stride, recording The Fourth Dimension (1994), Abducted (1996), and "The Final Chapter" (1997); in the meantime, Tägtgren developed an alternate career as a producer, working with bands like Dimmu Borgir, Immortal and Dark Funeral. Hypocrisy officially disbanded following the release of "The Final Chapter"; however, fan interest persuaded Tägtgren to reconsider the breakup, and the live album "Hypocrisy Destroys Wacken 1998" was released in early 1999 as a precursor of things to come. The new album "Hypocrisy" followed shortly thereafter and "Into The Abyss" was released in mid-2000. After closing the door on his band Seditious following their 3- and 5-song "Life Of Pain" demos, guitarist Tägtgren formed Hypocrisy in Ludvika, Sweden as a quintet in 1990 after having briefly lived in Florida in the late '80s - and occasionally drumming for Malevolent Creation.

The inaugural line-up included Masse Broberg on vocals, Mikael Hedlund on bass, Jonas Österberg on guitar, and Lars Szöke on drums. This first incarnation released Penetralia in 1992 (with its heavy Morbid Angel, Deicide and Entombed influences), but it was 1993's "Obsculum Obscenum" when the metal underground took notice of the purity of Hypocrisy's old school death metal approach combined with the unbridled fury of the burgeoning black metal genre. 1994's "Inferior Devotees" five-song EP showcased the Tägtgren / Hedlund / Szöke line-up that most would come to associate with Hypocrisy, though equally notable was Tägtgren's permanent switch to lead vocals. "The Fourth Dimension", 1994's full-length studio album, showcased Tägtgren's vocal range and also introduced keyboards, melodies, and slower tempos into Hypocrisy's musical cartography. ...show less