.jpeg "img_4134-(2).jpeg")
Anekdoten is a Swedish progressive rock band founded in 1991.
Their history in brief:
In 1990, Nicklas Berg and Jan Erik Liljeström formed a King Crimson tribute band, initially called King Edward.
In 1991, Anna Sofi Dahlberg fortunately joined the group, inspiring the band to write their own songs and change their name, and that's when Anekdoten was born.
In 1993, they released their debut album, Vemod, on their own label, which proved to be a true masterpiece, followed by five more studio albums, most recently in 2015.
Their 1993 debut album, Vemod, was a bolt from the blue in the prog world, a scene also revitalized by Anglagard. While Änglagård drew inspiration from English symphonic rock, Anekdoten instead drew on Crimson influences, creating a hard and complex sound that retains the opaque and dark atmospheres of Scandinavian tradition.
Anekdoten's sound is heavy, dark, and driving, with beautiful, heavy guitar riffs, even with distorted sounds. The distorted bass and drums are excellent, with extensive use of the Mellotron, occasionally supported by splendid cello parts, but also by their characteristic experimental dissonances and abrupt changes in atmosphere, which is generally dark and melancholic and extremely engaging. A powerful sound beloved by fans of modern progressive rock, with a great balance between heavy, aggressive sections and touching melodies, with the compositions and performance always top-notch.
A great band still active, they recently performed a concert in Japan in October 2025, so I hope they'll bring us more new work. Ten years have passed since their most recent LP, and that's a long time indeed.
Their Studio LP/EPs
Vemod - 1993
Nucleus - 1995
From Within - 1999
Gravity - 2003
A Time of Day - 2007
Until All The Ghosts Are Gone - 2015
Shooting Star EP (The Hans Fredriksson Mixes) - 2016
Note: All links to the musicians' works are in the TAGS under the article title or on the "Artists" page
