Nationalteatern, a Swedish progg rock group from Gothenburg, was formed in 1968 as a traveling theater ensemble. The group initially focused on theatrical performances but later shifted their emphasis to music. Their debut album, Ta det som ett löfte...ta det inte som ett hot, was released in 1972 and featured Anders Melander playing most of the instruments. Ulf Dageby became the group's driving force after being given more creative freedom on their second album, Livet är en fest. Notable albums include Barn av vår tid (1978), featuring Totta Näslund, and Rövarkungens ö (1980). The group disbanded shortly after, but reunited several times in the new millennium for tours across Sweden. In 2002, a tribute album titled Nationalsånger - Hymner från Vågen och EPAs torg, featuring prominent Swedish musicians performing Nationalteatern songs, was released. The group's music often contained leftist political lyrics and anti-drug messages.
