Meshuggah T-ShirtS

Meshuggah is a Swedish five-piece experimental metal band, known for their use of extended polymetric passages, complex drum patterns, odd time signatures, angular, dissonant guitar riffs, and harsh, monotonal vocals.

Meshuggah was formed in Umeå, Sweden in 1987. Meshuggah, whose name is Hebrew for "crazy," released their first record in 1989, an EP entitled Psykisk Testbild, which can be roughly translated as "psychic test picture". This recording displayed a straightforward thrash metal sound, highly influenced by Metallica's concurrent releases. As the band continued on in their career, the technicality of their musicianship and songwriting was refined. Meshuggah sound became harsher, utilizing strong seven string guitar - and later, eight string guitar - rhythms, manic vocals, and expressionist elements. This, as well as a polyrythmic drum and rhythm structure, pushed Meshuggah's style further away from their thrash metal sound and into a more experimental, groove-based style.

While Meshuggah's music is extremely intense and aggressive, the members often demonstrate a strong sense of dry humour: their video for "New Millennium Cyanide Christ" consists of the five Meshuggah members sitting inside their tour bus headbanging and air guitaring to the song. Promotional photos of Meshuggah often include comical grimacing.

In late 2005, Meshuggah were nominated for a Swedish Grammy for their album, Catch Thirty-Three.

Bands such as Dream Theater, God Forbid, Deftones, Lamb of God, Threat Signal, 10 Years, Lacuna Coil, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Mushroomhead and Tool have cited Meshuggah as an influence.

In the insert booklet of Destroy Erase Improve, the band notes musical inspirations such as Metallica, Cynic, Death, Slayer, Megadeth, Tori Amos, Björk, Steely Dan, Earth, Wind & Fire, Nirvana, Rush, Primus and Mike Oldfield.