-Tiamat-

Formed in 1988 as Treblinka. A Death Metal band that went into a Doom/Power Metal mix and now is experimenting with old Pink Floyd stylings. Doomdeath Metal with propensity towards Progressive. (MB)

Tiamat have long been one of Europe's most successful gothic metal bands, but their sphere of influence extends beyond both geographic and stylistic boundaries. They've toured America with legends like Black Sabbath and Motörhead, and now, with Judas Christ, this Swedish quartet is proving their capacity for perpetual innovation and forward thinking, incorporating more modern technology and electronics into the writing and recording of Judas Christ than they have on any of their earlier albums.

Judas Christ embodies the successful union of muted keyboards with harsh guitars, fusing melancholic distance with rhythmic advances, all providing a magnificent stage from which Johan Edlund's ice-cool vocals can soar. Compositions such as 'The Return Of The Son Of Nothing' and 'So Much For Suicide' are sure to satisfy fans of their previous albums, but Tiamat also contribute progressive, experimental structures like the deeply atmospheric 'Fireflower.' In addition, songs like 'Angel Holograms' and 'Love Is As Good As Soma,' with their driving tempos, are likely to draw stylistic comparisons to bands like Sisters Of Mercy.

For the first time, Tiamat address positive life- and love-affirming topics. 'Vote For Love' is probably the most straight forward and - in a positive sense - commercial song the Scandinavians have ever composed. 'I'm no longer young and inexperienced enough not to be touched by what happens in the world right now,' explains Edlund. 'It definitely made me think about my past and which memory people should keep in mind about me in case I suddenly die. I do not want to be the type of guy who is just spreading a sad and gloomy mood.

The task of finding an ideal sound was crucial to the new material, and thus was entrusted to only the most competent of hands and ears. To this end, Tiamat selected Lars Nissen to record Judas Christ in Copenhagen's Puk Recording Studio, the studio in which two of the band's favorite albums were produced: Sisters Of Mercy's Vision Thing and Depeche Mode's Music For The Masses. Nissen, one of the world's foremost producers, and Edlund have been in touch since working together on the frontman's solo project Lucyfire, for which Nissen handled the final mixing duties.

Now, about the shocking album title: Judas Christ. 'Of course the title is meant to be an eye-catcher,' Edlund confesses. 'Judas Christ is a statement against the hypocrisy of the Christian church. If Jesus would be alive, he would still see Judas as his brother, yet this title still provokes today's Christians. For me, it's like fighting them with their own weapons.

Tiamat has enjoyed a successful metamorphosis from a feral black metal band to a sound-cosmos embracing more diverse influences. While the early albums often dealt with a paranoid state of feelings, their recent material has tackled more concrete topics and the communicative exchange between people. Edlund explains: 'Wildhoney and A Deeper Kind Of Slumber were way more dreamy, whereas Skeleton Skeletron is telling the truth behind all those stories.'

With Judas Christ, Tiamat have taken another confident step forward, dealing with more universal topics wrapped in an increasingly accessible corset of sound. Declaring that the times of pure bitterness are over, Tiamat are dedicated to exploring the intricacies of interpersonal life and a positive approach to life.