By João Carlos Palma *
Tiamat is a Swedish gothic metal band that has been active since 1988. Throughout its long and storied career, the band has explored a variety of sounds and styles, starting out as a death metal band before evolving into one of the most innovative and influential gothic metal bands of all time. In this article, we will take a deep dive into the history of Tiamat, exploring their evolution as a band and the impact they have had on the gothic metal genre.
Early Years: The Rise of Death Metal
Tiamat was formed in 1988 by frontman Johan Edlund, who had previously been a member of the death metal band Treblinka. The early years of Tiamat’s career were characterized by a fast and aggressive death metal sound, with lyrics that dealt with themes of darkness, death, and the occult.
The band’s first album, “Sumerian Cry”, was released in 1990 and featured a raw and uncompromising sound that was heavily influenced by the death metal bands of the time. While the album received some critical acclaim, it did not achieve mainstream success.
Evolution: The Gothic Years
After the release of “Sumerian Cry”, Tiamat underwent a significant evolution in sound and style. The band’s second album, “The Astral Sleep”, featured a much more atmospheric and melodic sound that was characterized by Edlund’s haunting vocals and the use of keyboards and other atmospheric elements.
This shift in style continued with the release of the band’s third album, “Wildhoney”, which is widely considered to be one of the most influential gothic metal albums of all time. The album features a hypnotic and dreamlike sound that combines heavy guitars with ethereal vocals and haunting melodies. The lyrics on “Wildhoney” deal with themes of nature, mythology, and the occult, and the album has been praised for its innovative use of sound and its ability to create a unique and immersive listening experience.
In the years that followed, Tiamat continued to explore new sounds and styles, releasing albums that ranged from the dark and brooding “A Deeper Kind of Slumber” to the more experimental “Judas Christ”. The band’s music has always been characterized by a willingness to experiment and push boundaries, and this has helped to cement their status as one of the most innovative and influential bands in the gothic metal genre.
Impact and Legacy
Tiamat’s impact on the gothic metal genre cannot be overstated. The band’s innovative use of sound and willingness to experiment with different styles and genres has helped to push the genre forward and inspire countless other bands. Their influence can be heard in the music of bands such as Type O Negative, Paradise Lost, and Moonspell, all of whom have cited Tiamat as a major influence.
In addition to their influence on the gothic metal genre, Tiamat has also been recognized for their contributions to the broader metal scene. The band’s music has been praised for its ability to combine heavy guitars with atmospheric elements, and for its unique and immersive soundscapes.
- Current members
- Johan Edlund – vocals, guitars, keyboards, theremin (1987–present)
- Lars Sköld – drums (1994–present)
- Anders Iwers – bass (1996–present)
- Roger Öjersson – guitars, keyboards, mandolin, backing vocals (2010–present)
Conclusion
Tiamat is a band that has undergone a significant evolution over the course of its long and storied career. From their early days as a death metal band to their status as one of the most innovative and influential gothic metal bands of all time, Tiamat has always been a band that is willing to push boundaries and experiment with new sounds and styles. Their impact on the gothic metal genre cannot be overstated, and their legacy as one of the most innovative and forward-thinking bands in the history of metal music is sure to endure for many years to come.
Here is a discography for Tiamat:
Albums:
- Sumerian Cry (1990)
- The Astral Sleep (1991)
- Clouds (1992)
- Wildhoney (1994)
- A Deeper Kind of Slumber (1997)
- Skeleton Skeletron (1999)
- Judas Christ (2002)
- Prey (2003)
- Amanethes (2008)
- The Scarred People (2012)
EPs:
- Gaia (1994)
- Cold Seed (1997)
- Brighter Than the Sun (2000)
Live Albums:
- Live in Krakow (2004)
- The Church of Tiamat (2008)
Compilation Albums:
- The Sleeping Beauty – Live in Israel (1993)
- Cain (2003)
Tiamat’s discography spans over 30 years and includes 10 studio albums, 3 EPs, 2 live albums, and 2 compilation albums. The band’s early albums were characterized by a death metal sound, while their later work evolved to incorporate elements of gothic metal, darkwave, and other genres. Despite these changes in sound and style, Tiamat has always maintained a commitment to experimentation and pushing boundaries, making them one of the most innovative and influential bands in the history of metal music.
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Tiamat
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 Tiamat |
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| Background information | |
| Also known as | Treblinka (1987–1989) |
| Origin | Täby, Stockholm, Sweden |
| Genres |
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| Years active | 1987–present |
| Labels | Century Media, Nuclear Blast, Napalm |
| Members | Johan Edlund Lars Sköld Anders Iwers Roger Öjersson |
| Past members | Jörgen “Juck” Thullberg Anders Holmberg Stefan Lagergren Niklas Ekstrand Thomas Petersson Johnny Hagel Kenneth Roos P.A. Danielsson |
* expert in music in Smartencyclopedia