Tiamat

Tiamat is a Swedish metal group from Stockholm, active since 1987. The band’s sound spans death metal, doom metal, gothic metal, gothic rock, progressive metal and related metal styles, and its music develops from early extreme metal toward a more atmospheric gothic rock direction.

History

The group begins as Treblinka, a straight black metal act, before vocalist and guitarist Johan Edlund and bassist Jörgen Thullberg part ways with the other founding members after recording Sumerian Cry. The band then takes the name Tiamat. That album is released as Tiamat’s debut in 1990, although it is recorded under the Treblinka name.

Edlund later steers the band’s writing toward influences that include Mercyful Fate, Candlemass, Pink Floyd and King Crimson, while retaining Sumerian lyrical themes. Over time, Tiamat is described as moving through death metal, doom metal, progressive and gothic approaches, with later material leaning further into gothic rock and drawing on atmospheric, ethnic, psychedelic and experimental elements.

Key releases

Wildhoney is a 1994 album that becomes a significant release for the band. It combines raw vocals, slow guitar riffs and synthesizer textures, and is treated as a landmark in progressive doom metal. A Deeper Kind of Slumber, released in 1997, marks another major shift in style and coincides with Edlund relocating from Sweden to Germany and stating that he is the only permanent member.

The band signs to Nuclear Blast Records in 2007 and releases Amanethes in 2008.

Collaborators and lineup

Polish guitarist Waldemar Sorychta produces and contributes instrumentation to many Tiamat albums, and also works with related artists including Moonspell, Rotting Christ, Lacuna Coil and Samael.

Named members associated with the group include Johan Edlund, Jörgen Thullberg, Niklas Ekstrand, Thomas Petersson, Kenneth Roos, Johnny Hagel, Lars Sköld, Anders Iwers and Roger Öjersson.

Live activity

Following the impact of Wildhoney, Tiamat appears at Dynamo and Wacken Open Air in 1995, and returns for a second Dynamo performance two years later.