There has been a total of eight members in the history of Dark Tranquillity by now, and four of them have been along from the very beginning. I think it is time to find out, whose work is held the most important by the members of this board. Please, consider their whole "careers", not just their importance for the band right now - that's why I left for example Martin Brändström outside this poll, for although he means a lot to the band right now, his influence can be heard on only one album.
Niklas "Hedon" Sundin - For long Niklas was "the man behind DT" being the main song-writer and lyricist, but his musical contribution for the band has gradually lessened. In his prime, he has participated in creating of A Bolt of Blazing Gold, Of Chaos and Eternal Night, Punish My Heaven, Hedon and UnDo Control, among many, many others. Interestingly enough, he has never composed a song all by himself. Niklas didn't contribute on the band's latest album, Haven. Still, he did the cover-art for the latest two albums and his work as the webmaster is surely known for us all.
Mikael Stanne - Where on Skydancer he was "just" the second-guitarist and backing-vocalist, from then on Mikael has been the undeniable front-man of the band. His vocal performance is a key-factor in the "DT-sound" and his lyrical contribution has been wide, from songs like Through Ebony Archways and ...Of Melancholy Burning to Insanity's Crescendo, Nether Novas and Haven, etc. He also composed the argued Day to End on Projector.
Martin Henriksson - Martin was never just the bassist of Dark Tranquillity; he always did a big part of the song-writing and his abilities on guitar were long proved before Haven in the acoustic parts on the early albums. He is the only member, who has composed something to each full-length DT-album - and not just "filler" songs! Tunes like A Bolt of Blazing Gold, Lethe, Hedon, Sun Fired Blanks and Rundown are parts of his work, alongside with many other songs.
Anders Jivarp - For years Anders went quite unnoticed as just "the guy playing the drums", and only now that his work on Projector and especially on Haven has been heard, he has claimed some fame as a composer. In truth, however, he participated in a lesser scale on several earlier songs, like Crimson Winds, Shadow Duet, Punish My Heaven and The Dividing Line. As was proved lately, a "drummer" could be replaced from any band - Anders is a lot more than just a drummer.
In addition to these four guys, Fredrik Johansson must be mentioned. He was a very influential person for the band's sound during the years when he was in the band - being the main writer of Punish My Heaven, for example. However, as his main work is concentrated on just two albums, The Gallery and The Mind's I (plus a couple of songs on Projector), I did not include him in this poll.
Now, let's hear everyone's comments, right!
-Villain
Niklas "Hedon" Sundin - For long Niklas was "the man behind DT" being the main song-writer and lyricist, but his musical contribution for the band has gradually lessened. In his prime, he has participated in creating of A Bolt of Blazing Gold, Of Chaos and Eternal Night, Punish My Heaven, Hedon and UnDo Control, among many, many others. Interestingly enough, he has never composed a song all by himself. Niklas didn't contribute on the band's latest album, Haven. Still, he did the cover-art for the latest two albums and his work as the webmaster is surely known for us all.
Mikael Stanne - Where on Skydancer he was "just" the second-guitarist and backing-vocalist, from then on Mikael has been the undeniable front-man of the band. His vocal performance is a key-factor in the "DT-sound" and his lyrical contribution has been wide, from songs like Through Ebony Archways and ...Of Melancholy Burning to Insanity's Crescendo, Nether Novas and Haven, etc. He also composed the argued Day to End on Projector.
Martin Henriksson - Martin was never just the bassist of Dark Tranquillity; he always did a big part of the song-writing and his abilities on guitar were long proved before Haven in the acoustic parts on the early albums. He is the only member, who has composed something to each full-length DT-album - and not just "filler" songs! Tunes like A Bolt of Blazing Gold, Lethe, Hedon, Sun Fired Blanks and Rundown are parts of his work, alongside with many other songs.
Anders Jivarp - For years Anders went quite unnoticed as just "the guy playing the drums", and only now that his work on Projector and especially on Haven has been heard, he has claimed some fame as a composer. In truth, however, he participated in a lesser scale on several earlier songs, like Crimson Winds, Shadow Duet, Punish My Heaven and The Dividing Line. As was proved lately, a "drummer" could be replaced from any band - Anders is a lot more than just a drummer.
In addition to these four guys, Fredrik Johansson must be mentioned. He was a very influential person for the band's sound during the years when he was in the band - being the main writer of Punish My Heaven, for example. However, as his main work is concentrated on just two albums, The Gallery and The Mind's I (plus a couple of songs on Projector), I did not include him in this poll.
Now, let's hear everyone's comments, right!
-Villain
, but this one is too hard for me to decide, too...
