Totem Skin
Swedish hardcore punk band known for dark atmospheres.
Totem Skin were a Swedish hardcore punk band from Dalarna, formed in 2012 by guitarist Christoffer Öster and vocalists Henrik Dahlqvist and Glenn Zettersten. They released two studio albums, Still Waters Run Deep (2013) and Weltschmerz (2015), combining raw ferocity with dark atmospheres. The band disbanded in January 2017, and their intended third album was reworked into the debut album of Öster's new project Dödsrit.
Quick Facts
- Landscape
- yes
- Origin
- Falun and Borlänge, Dalarna, Sweden
- Genre
- Crust punk, grindcore, screamo, post-metal
- Years Active
- 2012–2017
- Label
- Halo of Flies, Protagonist, Adagio830, Tokyo Jupiter, Wolves of Hades, Dog Knights Productions, Middleman
- Past Members
- Henrik Dahlqvist / Christoffer Öster / Glenn Zettersten / Sebastian Engström / Jesper Sundström / Jonas Axelsson / Victor Eriksson
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Totem Skin was formed in 2012 by guitarist Christoffer Öster, who wrote some songs and was joined by vocalists Henrik Dahlqvist and Glenn Zettersten for their recording. The band's name is based on a lyric from the song 'Tauntrum' from Document No. 12 by Pg. 99. They abandoned their original intention to exist as a studio band, adding guitarist Jesper Sundström and drummer Sebastian Engström for live performances in the winter of 2012/2013. By March, the band became a sextet with bassist Jonas Axelsson. They self-released two EPs in 2012 and 2013, followed by a split EP with Heart on My Sleeve in 2013.
Their debut studio album Still Waters Run Deep was recorded at the Ranch Production House in Southampton, England, and released on 29 October 2013. The album's artwork depicts a skogsrå, reflecting its lyrical focus on nature and society. The final song features a sample from Silent Hill 2. Their sophomore album Weltschmerz was released on 12 October 2015, engineered at the same studio. In 2016, Zettersten, Sundström and Engström formed the crust punk project Vardagshat. The band announced their breakup on 26 January 2017, and their planned third album became the debut of Dödsrit, released on 13 October 2017.
Reader's Guide
Totem Skin's significance lies in their fusion of hardcore punk with black metal atmospherics and sludge, a style that drew comparisons to Converge, Nails, and Cult of Luna. Their two albums, Still Waters Run Deep and Weltschmerz, were noted for blending brutal aggression with somber melodies and high-fidelity production. The band's lyrical themes often drew from Swedish nature and societal critique. Though active only five years, their work influenced the underground hardcore and crust scenes, and their legacy continued through the project Dödsrit. Their self-described label 'Käng-emo' and their placement of their music across genres like punk, blast beat, d-beat, and blackened metal reflect their eclectic approach. The band's disbandment in 2017 marked the end of a cohesive unit, but their recordings remain touchstones for fans of dark, atmospheric hardcore.
Did You Know?
- Their debut album's final song features a sample from the video game Silent Hill 2.
- Three members formed the crust punk project Vardagshat in 2016.
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