Introduction
Anders Björler (born 26 February 1973) is a musician and a songwriter from Sweden. He is best known as the former guitar player in The Haunted, At The Gates. Anders also has a twin brother; Jonas Björler, whom he has played with in both At The Gates and The Haunted. Anders also released an instrumental solo album in November 2013 entitled 'Antikythera', which was inspired by progressive rock, post-rock, jazz and Italian film soundtracks. In addition to his music career, Anders also directed, edited and produced music videos, documentaries and in-the-studio features for bands like At The Gates, The Haunted, In Flames, Dark Tranquillity & Meshuggah.
Music biography
At the Gates (1990–1996, 2007–2017)
Anders is the founding member of the melodic death metal band At The Gates with his twin brother Jonas Björler, Tomas Lindberg, Alf Svensson, and Adrian Erlandsson. In July 1996, at the end of the touring cycle for their critically acclaimed 1995 album Slaughter of the Soul, Anders left the band and At the Gates consequently split up. In October 2007, At the Gates announced a final reunion for 2008, playing major European music festivals along with US, Japanese and Swedish tours. However, in 2011, they reunited a second time to play more shows. The band also released a comeback album, entitled At War with Reality, in late 2014. Björler departed the band in March 2017, with At the Gates continuing on with a replacement guitarist and a new album following his departure from the band.
The Haunted (1996–2001, 2002–2012)
In September 1996, a few months after the break up of At The Gates, Björler joined The Haunted as the lead guitarist. He remained in the band until 2001 when deciding to focus on university film studies. Björler returned to the band in 2002, but once again departed from the band in October 2012.
Instrumental Project (Solo) (2013–)
Focuses around his love for Italian movie soundtracks from the 60s–80s and adds a healthy dose of English prog rock, jazz, post-rock and a pinch of Swedish folk music. The debut album 'Antikythera' was released by Anders Fridén (In Flames) on his label Razzia Notes Records in November 2013.
Discography
At the Gates (Studio Albums)
- Gardens of Grief (EP) – 1991
- The Red in the Sky Is Ours – 1992
- With Fear I Kiss The Burning Darkness – 1993
- Terminal Spirit Disease – 1994
- Slaughter of the Soul – 1995
- At War with Reality – 2014
The Haunted (Studio Albums)
- The Haunted – 1998
- The Haunted Made Me Do It – 2000
- One Kill Wonder – 2003
- rEVOLVEr – 2004
- The Dead Eye – 2006
- Versus – 2008
- Unseen – 2011
Anders Björler (solo)
- Antikythera – 6 November 2013 (Razzia Notes / Sony Records)
- Dreaming of Insomnia - 2015 (2-track digital single)
Other Appearances
- Infestation "When Sanity Ends" Demo, 1990 (Guitar)
- Terror "Terror" Demo, 1994 (Guitar)
- Darkest Hour "Hidden Hands of a Sadist Nation" 2003 (Guest Guitar Solo, track 5)
- Annihilator "Metal", 2007 (Guest Guitar Solo, track 5)
- Evocation "Dead Calm Chaos" 2008 (Guest Guitar Solo)
- Shadow "Forever Chaos" 2008 (Guest Guitar Solo)
- Akani "Santa Muerte" 2014 EP (Guitar)
- Pagandom "Hurt as a Shadow" CD, 2016 (Guitar)