The band was formed in 1989 by band member Mikael Stanne and guitarist Niklas Sundin. Stanne and Sundin originally formed a band under the name "Septic Broiler". Members Anders Fridén, Anders Jivarp and Martin Henriksson joined the band shortly after. Dark Tranquillity is an important part of the melodic death metal genre of music and are one of the longest-standing bands from the original Gothenburg metal scene.