Fredrik Thordendal's Special Defects
Sweden · formed 1996 · last active 1997
Fredrik Thordendal's Special Defects is the solo project of Meshuggah lead guitarist Fredrik Thordendal, whose lone album Sol Niger Within (1997) is a landmark of avant-garde metal. Structured as one continuous 43-minute composition indexed into 29 tracks, it grafts Meshuggah's mathematical rhythmic language onto the fluid, Allan Holdsworth-inspired jazz-fusion soloing Thordendal is known for. The record's dense, free-associative sprawl draws comparisons to John Zorn's Naked City and features a cast of Swedish improvisers.
SCORE PROFILE
Accent numbers counted towards the index. Hover an axis — or hold it on a phone — for what it means.
MEMBERS
- Fredrik Thordendalguitars, bass, lead vocals, programming· also in Meshuggah
- Morgan Ågrendrums· also in Mats/Morgan
- Mats Öbergchurch organ, synthesizer· also in Mats/Morgan
- Jonas Knutssonsaxophone
- Tomas Haakespoken vocals· also in Meshuggah
CONNECTIONS
- Mats/Morganpath →
Morgan Ågren in both — drums in Fredrik Thordendal's Special Defects, drums in Mats/Morgan. source ↗
- Meshuggahpath →
Fredrik Thordendal's Special Defects is the solo project of Meshuggah lead guitarist Fredrik Thordendal; Meshuggah drummer Tomas Haake also contributed spoken vocals to its album Sol Niger Within (1997). source ↗
- Mats/Morganpath →
Both Morgan Ågren (drums) and Mats Öberg (church organ, synthesizer) performed on Fredrik Thordendal's Special Defects' album Sol Niger Within (1997). source ↗
- 6:33path →
Both bands' cover art/design work was done by freelance artist Seldon Hunt: 6:33's "Orphan Of Good Manners" (2011) and Fredrik Thordendal's Special Defects's "Sol Niger Within" (2016). Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7, the exception to hub-and-spoke) — Hunt is not an atlas band member so there is no anchor band. One representative Discogs credit cited; the companion credit is logged in research/edge-taxonomy-ledger.json. source ↗
- Acid Mothers Templepath →
Both bands' cover art was done by freelance artist Seldon Hunt (Discogs id 652485): Acid Mothers Temple's "Crystal Rainbow Pyramid Under The Stars" (2007) and this band's "Sol Niger Within" (2016). Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7); AMT joins the Seldon Hunt cluster as its 19th atlas client. source ↗
- Blind Idiot Godpath →
Both bands' cover art/design work was done by freelance artist Seldon Hunt: Blind Idiot God's "Before Ever After" (2015) and Fredrik Thordendal's Special Defects's "Sol Niger Within" (2016). Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7, the exception to hub-and-spoke) — Hunt is not an atlas band member so there is no anchor band. One representative Discogs credit cited; the companion credit is logged in research/edge-taxonomy-ledger.json. source ↗
- Burning Witchpath →
Both bands' cover art/design work was done by freelance artist Seldon Hunt: Burning Witch's "Crippled Lucifer" (2008) and Fredrik Thordendal's Special Defects's "Sol Niger Within" (2016). Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7, the exception to hub-and-spoke) — Hunt is not an atlas band member so there is no anchor band. One representative Discogs credit cited; the companion credit is logged in research/edge-taxonomy-ledger.json. source ↗
- Earthpath →
Both bands' cover art/design work was done by freelance artist Seldon Hunt: Earth's "Live Europe 2006" (2007) and Fredrik Thordendal's Special Defects's "Sol Niger Within" (2016). Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7, the exception to hub-and-spoke) — Hunt is not an atlas band member so there is no anchor band. One representative Discogs credit cited; the companion credit is logged in research/edge-taxonomy-ledger.json. source ↗
- Ephel Duathpath →
Both bands' cover art/design work was done by freelance artist Seldon Hunt: Ephel Duath's "Through My Dog's Eyes." (2009) and Fredrik Thordendal's Special Defects's "Sol Niger Within" (2016). Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7, the exception to hub-and-spoke) — Hunt is not an atlas band member so there is no anchor band. One representative Discogs credit cited; the companion credit is logged in research/edge-taxonomy-ledger.json. source ↗
- Goatsnakesatellitepath →
Both bands' cover art/design work was done by freelance artist Seldon Hunt: Fredrik Thordendal's Special Defects's "Sol Niger Within" (2016) and Goatsnake's "1" (2022). Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7, the exception to hub-and-spoke) — Hunt is not an atlas band member so there is no anchor band. One representative Discogs credit cited; the companion credit is logged in research/edge-taxonomy-ledger.json. source ↗
- House of Low Culturepath →
Both bands' cover art/design work was done by freelance artist Seldon Hunt: Fredrik Thordendal's Special Defects's "Sol Niger Within" (2016) and House of Low Culture's "Live From The House Of Low Temperature!" (2003). Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7, the exception to hub-and-spoke) — Hunt is not an atlas band member so there is no anchor band. One representative Discogs credit cited; the companion credit is logged in research/edge-taxonomy-ledger.json. source ↗
- Jesupath →
Both bands' cover art/design work was done by freelance artist Seldon Hunt: Fredrik Thordendal's Special Defects's "Sol Niger Within" (2016) and Jesu's "Sun Down / Sun Rise" (2007). Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7, the exception to hub-and-spoke) — Hunt is not an atlas band member so there is no anchor band. One representative Discogs credit cited; the companion credit is logged in research/edge-taxonomy-ledger.json. source ↗
- KK Nullpath →
Both bands' cover art/design work was done by freelance artist Seldon Hunt: Fredrik Thordendal's Special Defects's "Sol Niger Within" (2016) and KK Null's "Extropy" (2009). Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7, the exception to hub-and-spoke) — Hunt is not an atlas band member so there is no anchor band. One representative Discogs credit cited; the companion credit is logged in research/edge-taxonomy-ledger.json. source ↗
- Lotus Eaterspath →
Both bands' cover art/design work was done by freelance artist Seldon Hunt: Fredrik Thordendal's Special Defects's "Sol Niger Within" (2016) and Lotus Eaters's "Lotus Eaters" (2002). Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7, the exception to hub-and-spoke) — Hunt is not an atlas band member so there is no anchor band. One representative Discogs credit cited; the companion credit is logged in research/edge-taxonomy-ledger.json. source ↗
- Made Out of Babiespath →
Both bands' cover art/design work was done by freelance artist Seldon Hunt: Fredrik Thordendal's Special Defects's "Sol Niger Within" (2016) and Made Out of Babies's "The Ruiner" (2008). Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7, the exception to hub-and-spoke) — Hunt is not an atlas band member so there is no anchor band. One representative Discogs credit cited; the companion credit is logged in research/edge-taxonomy-ledger.json. source ↗
- Nadjapath →
Both bands' cover art/design work was done by freelance artist Seldon Hunt: Fredrik Thordendal's Special Defects's "Sol Niger Within" (2016) and Nadja's "Thaumogenesis" (2007). Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7, the exception to hub-and-spoke) — Hunt is not an atlas band member so there is no anchor band. One representative Discogs credit cited; the companion credit is logged in research/edge-taxonomy-ledger.json. source ↗
- Neurosispath →
Both bands' cover art/design work was done by freelance artist Seldon Hunt: Fredrik Thordendal's Special Defects's "Sol Niger Within" (2016) and Neurosis's "A Sun That Never Sets" (2001). Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7, the exception to hub-and-spoke) — Hunt is not an atlas band member so there is no anchor band. One representative Discogs credit cited; the companion credit is logged in research/edge-taxonomy-ledger.json. source ↗
- Orthodoxpath →
Both bands' cover art/design work was done by freelance artist Seldon Hunt: Fredrik Thordendal's Special Defects's "Sol Niger Within" (2016) and Orthodox's "Amanecer En Puerta Oscura" (2007). Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7, the exception to hub-and-spoke) — Hunt is not an atlas band member so there is no anchor band. One representative Discogs credit cited; the companion credit is logged in research/edge-taxonomy-ledger.json. source ↗
- Pelicanpath →
Both bands' cover art/design work was done by freelance artist Seldon Hunt: Fredrik Thordendal's Special Defects's "Sol Niger Within" (2016) and Pelican's "Live In Chicago 6/11/03" (2005). Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7, the exception to hub-and-spoke) — Hunt is not an atlas band member so there is no anchor band. One representative Discogs credit cited; the companion credit is logged in research/edge-taxonomy-ledger.json. source ↗
- Sunn O)))path →
Both bands' cover art/design work was done by freelance artist Seldon Hunt: Fredrik Thordendal's Special Defects's "Sol Niger Within" (2016) and Sunn O)))'s "Black One" (2005). Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7, the exception to hub-and-spoke) — Hunt is not an atlas band member so there is no anchor band. One representative Discogs credit cited; the companion credit is logged in research/edge-taxonomy-ledger.json. source ↗
- The Oceanpath →
Both bands' cover art/design work was done by freelance artist Seldon Hunt: Fredrik Thordendal's Special Defects's "Sol Niger Within" (2016) and The Ocean's "Pelagial" (2013). Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7, the exception to hub-and-spoke) — Hunt is not an atlas band member so there is no anchor band. One representative Discogs credit cited; the companion credit is logged in research/edge-taxonomy-ledger.json. source ↗
- Between the Buried and Mepath →
Shared label roster: AVALON, per MusicBrainz. source ↗
- Mats/Morganpath →
Shared label roster: Ultimate Audio Entertainment, per MusicBrainz. source ↗
FURTHER LISTENING
Nearest score profiles in the atlas.
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- Dissonant tech-deathEI 23Moral CollapseTechnicalDeathJazzy
Moral Collapse is a Bengaluru, India extreme-metal project founded in 2020 by guitarist/vocalist Arun Natarajan, forging old-school death metal in the vein of Nile and Morbid Angel that is repeatedly derailed by dissonant, Dillinger Escape Plan-style riffing, free-jazz saxophone/violin, and glitchy ambient interludes. Session drummer Hannes Grossmann (ex-Necrophagist, Obscura, Alkaloid) anchors both the 2021 self-titled debut and 2023's Divine Prosthetics, records stacked with guest guitar spots from Kevin Hufnagel (Gorguts, Dysrhythmia) and Death's Bobby Koelble. The project splices Indian percussive texture and free-improv passages into an otherwise brutal technical-death chassis.
- UnaffiliatedEI 10Eigenstate ZeroTechnicalDeathJazzy
Eigenstate Zero is the solo project of Stockholm metal veteran Christian Ludvigsson, launched in 2018 to fuse progressive death metal with Frank Zappa-style jazz-fusion excess. Across Sensory Deception, Machinery of Night, The Malthusian and Shape of God Thought of Sun, Ludvigsson stacks odd time signatures and weird electronic/synth textures over a death-metal chassis, filling 'passages of eclectic weirdness' between the heavy sections.
- UnaffiliatedEI 9Hunab KuTechnicalJazzyHardcore
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- UnaffiliatedEI 13Between the Buried and MeTechnicalDeathJazzy
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- UnaffiliatedEI 4MeshuggahTechnicalDeathHardcore
Meshuggah is a Swedish extreme metal band formed in Umeå in 1987, celebrated for the polymetric and polyrhythmic architecture of their music — thundering, downtuned guitar riffs written in shifting odd groupings over a steady 4/4 pulse. Fusing thrash, death, and groove metal with a cerebral jazz-fusion sensibility, they inadvertently launched the subgenre now known as djent and became one of the most technically influential acts in modern heavy music. Guitarist Fredrik Thordendal's Allan Holdsworth-inspired soloing and drummer Tomas Haake's mechanical precision are cornerstones of the sound.
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