Tiamat is a symphonic and gothic metal band originally assembled in Stockholm, Sweden in 1988.
The debut album Sumerian Cry was released under the name Tiamat, even though the songs had been written before the band switched names. Edlund modified the band's sound substantially by adding moody, atmospheric textures and vocals that would lead them to being labelled, along with Samael and Rotting Christ, as one of the starters of dark metal and symphonic black metal.
The album Wildhoney from 1994 is considered the transition of the band's career, combining death growls, slow and intricate guitar riffs and constant use of synthesizers, which made them relatively different from other symphonic black metal bands at that time.
Upon the release of A Deeper Kind of Slumber in 1997, Edlund relocated from Sweden to Germany, and declared himself the only permanent bandmember. All albums subsequently released would lean towards a more mainstream, melodic goth rock sound.
Tiamat is currently signed to Century Media Records.
Johan Edlund - Vocals, guitar, keyboards, theremin
Thomas Petersson - Guitar
Anders Iwers - Bass
Lars Sköld - Drums
Sumerian Cry (1990)
The Astral Sleep (1991)
Clouds (1992)
The Sleeping Beauty (Live In Israel) (1993)
Wildhoney (1994)
A Deeper Kind Of Slumber (1997)
Skeleton Skeletron (1999)
Judas Christ (2002)
Prey (2003)
Tiamat's official website
The Ar, unofficial website
Biography
The band began under the name Treblinka and took a traditional approach to death metal in their songs. In 1989 they split up, and vocalist and guitarist Johan Edlund was given leadership over the band. Edlund then changed the name to Tiamat.The debut album Sumerian Cry was released under the name Tiamat, even though the songs had been written before the band switched names. Edlund modified the band's sound substantially by adding moody, atmospheric textures and vocals that would lead them to being labelled, along with Samael and Rotting Christ, as one of the starters of dark metal and symphonic black metal.
The album Wildhoney from 1994 is considered the transition of the band's career, combining death growls, slow and intricate guitar riffs and constant use of synthesizers, which made them relatively different from other symphonic black metal bands at that time.
Upon the release of A Deeper Kind of Slumber in 1997, Edlund relocated from Sweden to Germany, and declared himself the only permanent bandmember. All albums subsequently released would lean towards a more mainstream, melodic goth rock sound.
Tiamat is currently signed to Century Media Records.