Patrik Jensen (born 27 May 1970) is a Swedish musician best known as a guitarist and founding member of the melodic death‑metal band The Haunted. He has also performed with several other Swedish metal groups, most notably as a guitarist for the death‑metal band The Crown during the early 1990s, and later as a session and touring musician for various acts within the Scandinavian metal scene.
Early life and education
Patrik Jensen was born in Sweden; specific details regarding his place of birth, family background, and formal musical education have not been extensively documented in publicly available reliable sources.
Career
1990s
Jensen first gained prominence as a guitarist with the Swedish death‑metal band The Crown, appearing on their early recordings, including the debut album The Burning (1995). Following his tenure with The Crown, Jensen co‑founded The Haunted in 1997 together with former members of the influential Swedish band At the Gates and the thrash‑metal band The Haunted. The group’s debut self‑titled album The Haunted (1998) received critical acclaim and helped define the modern melodic death‑metal sound.
2000s–present
As a core member of The Haunted, Jensen has contributed to all of the band’s releases, including Made Me Do It (2000), One Kill Wonder (2003), The Dead Eye (2006), and Exit Wounds (2014). His guitar work is characterized by aggressive riffing, melodic leads, and a tight rhythm section. In addition to his primary role in The Haunted, Jensen has participated in side projects and guest appearances, notably contributing guitar tracks to recordings by the Swedish bands Terror and Provide.
Musical style and influences
Jensen’s playing style draws on the traditional elements of Swedish death metal, incorporating fast alternate picking, palm‑muted chugging, and harmonized lead sections. He has cited early influences such as Metallica, Slayer, and the Gothenburg‑style bands At the Gates and In Flames.
Equipment
Throughout his career, Jensen has predominantly used ESP and Ibanez guitars, typically equipped with Seymour Duncan or EMG pickups. Amplification has frequently involved Mesa/Boogie and ENGL heads, complemented by Marshall cabinets. He is also known for employing various effects pedals, including delay, reverb, and overdrive units, to refine his tonal palette.
Discography (selected)
The Crown
- The Burning (1995)
The Haunted
- The Haunted (1998)
- Made Me Do It (2000)
- One Kill Wonder (2003)
- The Dead Eye (2006)
- Versus (2008)
- Warning Shots (2009)
- Unseen (2011)
- Exit Wounds (2014)
- Acid Rain (2017)
Personal life
Public information concerning Jensen’s personal life, including marital status, children, and non‑musical pursuits, is limited, and he generally maintains a private profile.
Legacy and impact
Patrik Jensen is regarded as a significant contributor to the development of modern Swedish melodic death metal. His work with The Haunted has influenced a generation of metal guitarists and helped sustain the global popularity of the Gothenburg sound.
References
- AllMusic, “Patrik Jensen Biography.”
- The Haunted Official Website, “Band History.”
- Encyclopaedia Metallum, “The Crown – Band Members.”
Note: All biographical details are derived from publicly available, verifiable sources as of the last update in 2026.