If someone changed their style over the years, it has got to be Tiamat. These swedes, formerly known as Treblinka, went from evil black metal to beautiful atmospheric dreammetal. They did not succeed playing black, but they certainly did with their newer efforts. Check out below, the difference in the band's appearance through the decade.                               Tiamat 1990                                                        Tiamat 1999 Treblinka - Crawling In Vomits,  Demo 1988.  Rating: Not Rated This is Treblinka's first demo. We haven't heard it, and it propably is almost impossible to get your hands on it. As it is our policy here on Mother North, you will be credited on this page, if you supply us with material, we do not have or can't get. A copy could do it. Treblinka - Sign Of The Pentagram,  Demo 1989.  Rating: Not Rated Hell. We haven't heard this one either. Feel free to broaden our horizons. Treblinka - Severe Abomination,  1989.  Rating: Not Rated Whether this is a demo or not, is unknown to us. It is a 7", and we haven't heard it, but managed to find the cover on the internet. Sumerian Cry,  Metalcore 1990.  Rating: 35 Their first fulllength Sumerian Cry, now under their new name Tiamat, is an attempt to ride on the, at that time, new black metal wave. They did not suceed at all, and we consider this album as being a mistake, as this is not what Tiamat is all about. The lead singer calls himself Hellslaughter and he also plays the rhythm and lead guitars. The second half of the band, the bass player, is named Juck. Two session musicians helped Tiamat, as Emetic played some rhythm and lead guitars, and Najse did the drums. As it is their first cd, they are apparently trying to find themselves, which they do not untill their next album. Some of the keyboards sound completely ridiculous and misplaced in this black environment. The keyboards is an attempt of being somewhat spooky and evil, but unfortunately they come out reminding us of something like a childrens TV-show jingle. The times when Tiamat are trying to play fast, man, it's not fast at all, and it is like the drummer is stuck in a bad dream at half the pace and can't get a move on. Our deepest respect for Tiamat, but just not on this album, and we are sure they would agree with us. This is not the real Tiamat. A Winter Shadow,  CBR Records 1990.  Rating: Not Rated None of us have heard this one. The Astral Sleep,  Century Media 1991.  Rating: 80 Hellslaughter claimed back his given name Johan Edlund. It was the end of evil and the beginning of the mighty Tiamat as we know them today. We haven't heard this one though. Clouds,  Century Media 1992.  Rating: 80 With track 5, The Sleeping Beauty, this became their breakthrough. Some people don't like Johan's voice on Clouds, and at times it does sound as if he is going to throw up, but the melodies are great, and displayed their talent for this beautiful dreamlike metal that was going to be their trademark.                                Tiamat 1992 The Sleeping Beauty - Live In Israel,  Century Media 1994.  Rating: 50 This release is a bit of a mystery, mainly because you can hear the band making a lot of mistakes (especially the drummer!). Then there is the production. As many other live records, the isn't always the best, but some bands manage to capture the entire show with the audience roaring and the music is perfect. Unfortunately, as far as this release goes, Tiamat are not one of those bands. Wildhoney,  Century Media 1994.  Rating: 81 Following up on the live album they put out their new opus, Wildhoney. Inspired by nature, the tracks on Wildhoney begin with sounds from the jungle at night, and you can almost feel the moist and the heat when laying on your bed wearing your earphones, as you pass away into dreamland. Very atmospheric. Gaia,  Century Media 1994.  Rating: Not Rated Gaia is an EP following the Wildhoney album. Cold Seed,  Century Media 1997.  Rating: Not Rated This is an EP giving a taste of what to expect on the following album A Deeper Kind Of Slumber. A Deeper Kind Of Slumber,  Century Media 1997.  Rating: 75 This record demands an openminded listener, because of itīs variety of genreīs and complexity within the songs. This is absolutely not one of those albums you can decide wether you like it or not after only one or two spins. It takes a lot of spins! Eventually you will hear the album in itīs full extent, as it was meant to be. Skeleton Skeletron,  Century Media 1999.  Rating: 87 Tiamat have progressed enormously up untill this their latest. They moved from Sweden to Germany, and that seems to have inspired them a great deal in a positive way, as this turns out to be their greatest effort so far. They now describe their music as urban metal, and if this is urban, urban is good. All strings, keyboards and drums work together in perfect harmony. Johan's beautiful voice, that on some of the tracks forms the melody, upholds the Tiamat dreamlike touch that we know so well and love. All the tracks are great, especially Church Of Tiamat, Dust Is Our Face and For Her Pleasure, which is now out as a single. Track 8, Best Friend Money Can Buy, sounds a bit like Nick Cave's Where The Wild Roses Grow. Whether this is intentionally or just a mere coincidence, continues to be a mystery. Buy it! [Main]|[Band Index] Last modified: 020500 05:07 CEST