Biography:
Initially, the band played straightforward black metal under the name Treblinka. After having recorded the album Sumerian Cry in 1989, vocalist/guitarist Johan Edlund and bassist Jörgen Thullberg parted ways with the other two founding members, and subsequently changed the name to Tiamat. The Sumerian Cry album, as recorded by Treblinka, was released as Tiamat's debut album in June 1990.
After the debut, Edlund's leadership would modify the band's style with influences ranging from Mercyful Fate, Candlemass, Pink Floyd and King Crimson, with Sumerian lyrical themes. German guitarist Waldemar Sorychta would produce and contribute instrumentation to many of the band's albums, as well as those by Tiamat's own tour and labelmates, including Moonspell, Rotting Christ, Lacuna Coil and Samael.
1994's critically acclaimed Wildhoney mixed raw vocals, slow guitar riffs and synthesizer sounds which sounded different from other extreme metal bands active at that time. An almost continuous forty-minute piece of music, Wildhoney was considered to be a landmark release within the progressive/doom metal genres and would lead to the band's appearances at the Dynamo and Wacken Open Air metal festivals in 1995. The group would play a second gig at Dynamo two years later.
Upon the release of A Deeper Kind of Slumber (1997), Edlund relocated from Sweden to Germany and declared himself the only permanent member of the band; all albums that would follow would cement the band into a more gothic rock sound, quite different from the extreme music they did in the years before, with recent albums showing a The Sisters of Mercy influence.
The band signed to Nuclear Blast Records in June 2007. Tiamat released their new album Amanethes April 18, 2008.
Lineup:
Johan Edlund - vocals, guitar (Treblinka, Expulsion, LucyFire, Dark Age, Ayreon)
Anders Iwers - bass (Desecrator, Ceremonial Oath, In Flames, Cemetary, Mercury Tide)
Lars Skjöld - drums (Jupiter Society)
Thomas Wyreson - guitar
Former members:
Andreas Holmberg - drums (Expulsion)
Stefan Lagergren - guitar (River's Edge, Expulsion, Mr Death, Treblinka, Judge And Jury, Tranquility)
Jörgen Thullberg - bass (Expulsion, Mr Death, Treblinka)
Niklas Ekstrand - drums (Face Down)
Kenneth Roos - keyboards
Johnny Hagel - bass (Sundown, Sorcerer)
Magnus Sahlgren - guitar (Celeborn, Dismember, Lake of Tears)
P.A. Danielsson - keyboards (Veni Domine)
Thomas Petersson - guitar
Fredrik Ĺkesson - guitar (Southpaw, Talisman, Krux, John Norum, Arch Enemy, Sabbtail, Opeth, Shock Tilt)
www.churchoftiamat.com
Spine
Tiamat Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It makes me even stronger, boosts my will to fight
So much undone
Let's get it on
No moral tells me so, there is no wrong no right
It's all that I do
It's all that I say
It's all that I live for
There's no point in waiting when there is no where or when
Blow it all to pieces and then build it up again
It's understood
So far so good
Start it all over and I'll see you there my friend
The lyrics of Tiamat's song "Spine" depict an individual who feels empowered by the absence of light and warmth. The coldness of their environment has strengthened their resolve and propelled them to fight for what they believe in. The absence of moral absolutes creates a sense of freedom and a lack of hesitation in this person's actions. The repetition of phrases such as "It's all that I do" and "It's my only way" further emphasizes the individual's unwavering dedication to their cause.
The second verse adds an element of urgency to the lyrics. The idea that there is no point in waiting for a specific time or place suggests that the individual feels that time is of the essence. The desire to "blow it all to pieces and then build it up again" implies a need for drastic change and the willingness to take risks in order to achieve it. The final line, "Start it all over and I'll see you there my friend," gives the impression that this person is not alone in their mission and that they are hopeful that others will join them in their cause.
Line by Line Meaning
It can't get any colder, no sun left, no light
Everything seems bleak and hopeless, but this only fuels my determination.
It makes me even stronger, boosts my will to fight
The absence of hope only strengthens my resolve to persevere.
So much undone
There is a great deal that needs to be accomplished.
Let's get it on
It is time to take action and start making progress towards our goals.
No moral tells me so, there is no wrong no right
There are no absolute rules governing our behavior; we must make our own decisions based on what feels right to us.
It's all that I do
My actions define me.
It's all that I say
My words are a reflection of my innermost thoughts and feelings.
It's all that I live for
My entire existence revolves around my goals and aspirations.
It's my only way
This is the only path that I am willing to follow.
There's no point in waiting when there is no where or when
We must seize the moment and take action, because there may never be a better opportunity.
Blow it all to pieces and then build it up again
Sometimes we must completely destroy what exists before we can create something better.
It's understood
Everyone involved is aware of what needs to be done.
So far so good
Things have gone smoothly up to this point, but there is still work to be done.
Start it all over and I'll see you there my friend
We have the opportunity to begin again, and I hope that you will be there with me to see it through.
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