Tiamat’s ‘Clouds’ Remastered Album, Leads the Charge at Graveland Festival

Graveland Festival, a prominent event in the metal music scene of the Netherlands, has announced its lineup for the upcoming 2024 edition, scheduled to take place on May 24th and 25th in Hoogeveen. The festival is set to feature a blend of established and emerging bands, catering to a diverse range of metal enthusiasts.

Leading the bill on Friday is Tiamat, a renowned group celebrated for their seminal albums ‘Clouds’ and ‘Wildhoney.’ Known for their atmospheric blend of metal, their performances promise to be a highlight of the festival, featuring special sets dedicated to these critically acclaimed works. Tiamat’s influence on the genre extends back to the early 1990s, when they played a pivotal role in shaping the melodic and thematic contours of doom and gothic metal, making their headline performance a fitting homage to their enduring legacy in the metal community.

Tiamat, a band originating from Sweden, embarked on a musical journey that transcended the traditional boundaries of metal, evolving from their death metal origins into a sophisticated amalgam of gothic and atmospheric soundscapes.

Emerging in the early 1990s from the remnants of the band Treblinka, Tiamat initially aligned with the burgeoning Swedish death metal scene. Their debut album, ‘Sumerian Cry’ (1990), closely mirrored the genre’s aggressive characteristics. However, the shift towards a more nuanced sonic palette became apparent with the release of ‘The Astral Sleep’ (1991). This album marked a departure from their earlier sound, introducing keyboards and cleaner vocals, which hinted at the band’s trajectory towards gothic metal influences.

The transformative phase in Tiamat’s musical journey was epitomized by ‘Wildhoney’ (1994). This album is often celebrated for its pioneering blend of atmospheric and psychedelic elements with metal. Yet, the underreported aspect of this phase is the band’s experimentation with narrative structure within their music. The tracks on ‘Wildhoney’ are interconnected, not merely by lyrical themes but through a continuous flow of ambient soundscapes, creating a cohesive auditory experience that was rare in metal at the time.

Another pivotal yet often overlooked event in Tiamat’s history was their relocation to Germany in the mid-1990s. This move coincided with significant changes in the band’s lineup and marked a period of intense creativity and experimentation. Germany’s vibrant music scene provided new influences and a fresh audience, which were instrumental in shaping the band’s evolving sound, especially evident in albums like ‘A Deeper Kind of Slumber’ (1997). This album diverged even further from metal, incorporating electronic music elements, which showcased the band’s willingness to transcend genre constraints.

Culturally, Tiamat’s impact extends beyond their musical innovations. They were among the first metal bands to incorporate themes from ancient mythology and astral philosophy into their lyrics and visuals. These themes not only differentiated Tiamat from their peers but also influenced subsequent bands within the gothic and symphonic metal scenes. Moreover, the band’s aesthetic—characterized by somber visuals and introspective atmospheres—contributed to the codification of a “gothic” aura in metal, influencing fashion and visual art within the genre.

Interestingly, Tiamat’s engagements with various art forms have also been significant, albeit less reported. Frontman Johan Edlund’s interest in graphic design and visual arts profoundly influenced the band’s album covers and stage setups, which often featured elaborate, symbol-laden imagery that complemented their music’s thematic depth. This integration of music and visual art not only enhanced the band’s aesthetic appeal but also set a precedent for multimedia exploration in the metal genre.

Mythologically speaking, Tiamat, the primordial goddess from ancient Mesopotamian mythology, embodies a multifaceted narrative that extends far beyond her commonly cited role in the creation epic Enuma Elish. While popular accounts often focus on her defeat by the god Marduk, symbolizing the triumph of order over chaos, there are layers to Tiamat’s character and significance that remain underexplored. This exploration delves into the nuances of Tiamat’s depiction, the symbolic implications of her mythology, pivotal but less discussed aspects of her story, and her broader cultural impact, particularly in how she has been perceived and interpreted over the centuries.

Historically, Tiamat is portrayed not merely as a chaotic monster but also as a mother who fiercely defends her progeny against an existing cosmic order. In Enuma Elish, her initial state is not one of malevolence but of equilibrium, co-existing with her husband, Apsu. The narrative begins to shift with the rise of younger gods, whose disturbances lead to the proposed destruction of these primal entities. Tiamat’s transformation into a symbol of chaos and her subsequent generation of monstrous defenders is a reaction to the threats posed against her existence and that of her children. This aspect of her mythology points to the complex nature of her character—one that encompasses the roles of creator, protector, and destroyer.

The underreported aspect of Tiamat’s myth is her role in the theological and symbolic framework of Mesopotamian cosmology. She is not only a chaotic creature but also an emblem of the primordial waters from which all life springs. This dual nature reflects a worldview where creation and destruction are intimately connected, where life springs from the same source as death. Tiamat’s embodiment of these waters, and her eventual division by Marduk to create the heavens and the earth, signifies her lasting presence in every aspect of the cosmic order.

Moreover, Tiamat’s cultural impact extends beyond ancient religious texts; it permeates various aspects of modern culture, literature, and psychoanalytic interpretation. In contemporary contexts, Tiamat has been revisited as a symbol of the primordial feminine force, an archetype representing both creation and destruction. This reevaluation speaks to a broader cultural re-examination of female deities and monsters, reflecting modern concerns about gender, power, and the environment.

Further, Tiamat’s portrayal in various media, including literature, video games, and tabletop role-playing games, although often not aligned with her mythological roots, reflects her adaptability to new narratives and contexts. Each adaptation introduces Tiamat to new audiences, who may not be familiar with her original myth but engage with her as a multifaceted character capable of embodying various roles—from villain to mother to elemental force.

In delving into the less explored aspects of Tiamat’s mythology, it becomes clear that her story is not simply one of conflict and defeat but also one of resilience and influence. Her evolution from a deity in ancient texts to a complex symbol in contemporary culture reveals the depth of her character and the broad scope of her impact. Tiamat’s ongoing legacy is a testament to the enduring power of myth to convey fundamental truths about human existence, our fears, and our aspirations. Through this narrative, the nuanced dimensions of Tiamat’s character emerge, offering rich insights into the dynamics of myth-making and cultural symbolism.

Most recently, Metal Scrap Records has released a deluxe remastered edition of Tiamat’s third full-length studio album, ‘Clouds.’ This edition is available in Europe and the United Kingdom from April 5th, 2024, followed by releases in the USA and Japan on May 3rd, 2024. Originally issued in 1992 through Century Media Records, ‘Clouds’ received critical acclaim upon its initial release. The upcoming remaster will feature not only the original album but also the 1994 live EP ‘The Sleeping Beauty – Live in Israel,’ which was recorded live in Tel Aviv, Israel, on June 3, 1993.

The album ‘Clouds’ marks a significant point in Tiamat’s evolution, showcasing a departure from their heavier death metal origins towards a more atmospheric death-doom metal sound. This shift includes a combination of delicate acoustic guitars, heavy riffs, and atmospheric keyboards, complementing Johan Edlund’s vocal style that blends harsh death growls with a cleaner, gothic tone. The album also features contributions from new bassist Johnny Hagel, lightening the creative load on Edlund, whose improved English and clear, raspy voice allow for greater appreciation of his esoteric lyrics.

‘Clouds’ represents an important transitional record for Tiamat, setting the stage for their subsequent albums, particularly ‘Wildhoney.’ The latter album would delve further into gothic metal and rock, incorporating more psychedelic and progressive elements, and moving further away from their death metal roots. The remastered edition of ‘Clouds’ is not only a celebration of this pivotal album but also a reflection on the band’s historical significance in the wider death-doom metal scene of the early 1990s.

The deluxe edition will be presented in a 24-kt gold translucent CD, encased in a luxury Digibook with selective varnish and silver foil stamping. Notably, the first fifty copies of the remaster will include an exclusive patch, available only through orders via Total Metal Shop. These limited-edition features and the inclusion of the ‘The Sleeping Beauty – Live in Israel’ recording make this remastered release a valuable collector’s item and a significant reissue for fans of the genre.

In retrospect, while Tiamat’s musical journey is noted for its shifts and turns, the underlying thread has been their commitment to artistic freedom and experimentation. This narrative, though less emphasized in popular discourse, offers a deeper understanding of the band’s enduring influence and the subtle ways in which they have shaped the metal genre’s evolution. Their story is not just one of musical change but also of cultural shifts, aesthetic developments, and the relentless pursuit of artistic expression beyond conventional boundaries.

Accompanying Tiamat on the Graveland Festival stage will be an assortment of bands known for their dynamic and intense musical styles. Mortiferum, hailing from the United States, will bring their heavy, doom-laden approach to death metal, promising a raw and immersive experience. Teratoma will offer a surge of high-voltage energy, likely showcasing their skill in blending technical proficiency with aggressive performance.

Claustrum, known for their enigmatic soundscapes, are expected to contribute a more introspective dimension to the festival. Their performances often explore the darker, more atmospheric aspects of metal, providing a stark contrast to the visceral intensity of other acts. Hellruin, on the other hand, will deliver fierce and powerfully unforgettable performances, underpinned by their aggressive musical stylings and potent lyrical themes.

The festival lineup also includes established names like Carcass, Necrophobic, and Tsjuder, alongside newer entrants like Dool, ensuring that the festival caters to a wide spectrum of metal tastes. This diverse lineup not only underscores Graveland’s commitment to celebrating the breadth and depth of the metal genre but also enhances its reputation as the electrifying heart of dark metal in the Netherlands.

Overall, Graveland 2024 is poised to be a seminal event, offering attendees an array of performances that span the full gamut of metal music, from doom and death to the atmospheric and enigmatic, anchored by a landmark performance from Tiamat, whose presence links the contemporary with the historical in the metal genre.