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 a 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. ~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide
Musically, the band's style has drifted from a traditional death metal sound on their early albums, to a more melodic death metal sound.[5][6] The lyrics in their early stages - written by original vocalist Masse Broberg - were anti-Christian and Satanic. However the band later chose to focus on lyrical themes such as the paranormal and extraterrestrial, which prompted Broberg out of the band (and to transfer his interests to black metal band Dark Funeral as Emperor Magus Caligula). Their tenth album, Virus, contains lyrics of a more typical death metal nature dealing with violence, the horrors of reality, insanity, torture, war, drug addiction, and emotional struggles.
After spending three years in Fort Lauderdale, Florida[7] in 1990, founder Peter Tägtgren returned to his homeland of Sweden to form his own band. Hypocrisy's early releases were noted as being well-executed death metal, but panned for not being particularly innovative. That criticism waned as the band matured, cultivating a more distinctive sound as well as employing an introspective lyrical approach. Later releases have a more atmospheric sound, with lyrical exploration of aliens and abduction experiences. Their release, Virus, has seen the band return to more death metal themes.
Tägtgren's experience as a producer may have also have led to the band's change in musical direction, as he is more closely involved with many other bands while producing their albums.
On November 17, 2009 Hypocrisy cancelled their U.S. tour because of troubles with the U.S. immigration in regards with Ensiferum, Ex Deo, and Blackguard. [8]
