This gothic metal band from Sweden has been an interest of mine for almost two years. I don't remember how i first found out about them, but i know that Prey was the first CD i've heard.

At the moment i still concider Judas Christ to be my favourite of them (for now). But lately i started listening to their death metal days a little and i discovered that even at those times they were a class A band. While not having the extensive use of double-bass, the guitars are really awesome. And the songs created are simply awesome. Every song has at least some parts that i simply love. I mean: Winter Shadow (0:27) has a GREAT guitar line. And Smell of Incense in 0:54 might very well be one of my favourite parts in any death metal song. The ending of Undressed gives me shivers when listened at an appropriate enough volume (shivers for me while listening to music indicate a place of extremely sweet melody [i know my vocabulary is restricted, don't hold it against me please]). Astral Sleep is a great CD and Clouds all the same. Sumerian Cry falls weakest of the three, but is decent nonetheless.
Tiamat is really awesome. I mean, they have tried different things also, but they have always progressed. Death, black, doom, gothic, gothic rock, death/doom, gothic/doom...they have done everything in that area, and all of it near perfectly. I can't get enough of them. And i better get the money to see them live this summer...otherwise i'll be really pissed off!

The CD ranking:
I started looking for public-friendly music a few weeks ago and during that time i found myself enjoying Judas Christ alot. Currently it's my favourite. Even though i have read all those comments about "poprock" etc. I just like the music because it's fast and energetic and just proves that Tiamat has a great diversity and are skilled music creators.

The only original CD that i own is Skeleton Skeletron and it ranks 5th in my current list. The songs on there have great lyrics and melodies, like most of Tiamat's songs.

Astral Sleep and Clouds have risen from the ashes for me. When i first got into Tiamat, i ignored their death/doom days, but this last week i have totally loved the two CDs. Currently occupying the 2nd and 3rd positions. Astral Sleep leading.

Wildhoney has a few AWESOME songs, like Gaia and Planets and also a generally good feel, but it doesn't get higher than 4th position.

Deeper Kind of Slumber and Prey switch positions more often than i switch socks. Both have great songs, great atmospheres and great vocals, but i can never decide which exactly comes out on top. So 6th and 7th spots.

Sumerian Cry ranks the lowest, but it isn't a bad record. Definately not! I just haven't been in the mood for that type of black metal (yup, i read from a few places that SC is more of a black metal than death metal. And all the points brought out were proven reasonably).