Gaia |
November 1st, 2005
contributed by |
If I had to list some of the most important albums that fundamentally shaped what I would love so much about Swedish and emotionally based metal, Tiamat’s “Wildhoney” would be on the list. When I listen to the cohesive mass of music that is “Wildhoney” nowadays, I am incredibly impressed how ahead of it’s time it was. The melodically lush, mellow and heavily Pink Floyd influenced metal just didn’t exist or was in extremely rare form in 1994 — the year “Wildhoney” was released. Together with albums like “Tales From the Thousand Lakes” by Amorphis, “Dance of December Souls” by Katatonia and “Orchid” by Opeth, “Wildhoney” was blazing new ground.
I had given the album that came out prior to “Wildhoney” — entitled “Clouds” — a considerable amount of spins, but I can’t say it was an album I fell for. “Wildhoney” was different. I fell hard for the brilliant use of dynamics and cohesive song arrangements which make this album feel like one long song. The heavy Pink Floyd influence used in a more modern and heavy context was something I immediately gravitated towards. The use of mood setting ambient pieces (such as the track “25th Floor”) which allowed the music a continual flow — without interruption — seemed to me, genius. This is yet another album where it is almost silly to try and contribute one song and pretend to think it’ll give a proper impression of the album. It won’t. But perhaps it’ll entice a few who haven’t heard this album (is there anyone left?) to take a chance and go buy it. You won’t regret it.
Subsequent albums saw Tiamat continually changing, sometimes dramatically and as a result there is no other Tiamat album quite like “Wildhoney”. Some Tiamat fans loathed the albums that came out afterwords, some loved them — but to me, nothing ever came close to “Wildhoney”. It’s an emotionally potent album with an emphasis on flowing arrangements and moody ambiance — I wish there were more like it.
November 1st, 2005
at 11:25 pm
This was my first Swedish band, so naturally I see it as a gateway into the new world of music I am currently living by. I had been listening to them since The Astral Sleep, was impressed with Clouds, but it wasn’t until Wildhoney came out that I was absolutely blown away by them. All follow ups just didn’t hit the spot for me for many reasons…. I’m just glad I have my jewel before the changes came about.
November 1st, 2005
at 11:28 pm
I love this album and Gaia is a great track! A perfect example of the heavy Pink Floyd influences on Wildhoney is ‘A Pocket Size Sun’ (my personal fav).
It’s a shame that Tiamat gets overlooked so often when referencing influential bands from this time period.
November 2nd, 2005
at 1:03 am
I love Wildhoney, but Johans singing sometimes gets on my nerves. For me Tiamat reached it’s high creative point with A Deeper Kind Of Slumber, still, Wildhoney is an amazing album, and I can still remember listening to Gaia for the first time, feeling almost hypnotised by the track.
November 2nd, 2005
at 11:53 am
The way I came to Tiamat was unorthodox. I had read there were similarities between Anathema ( Eternity era ) and this band. So I give them a try. As Hanzan said, I also was reluctant to Johans singing, but I loved the eerie, almost dreamy feeling that flew in that album.
Anyway, as i started with Anathema, I never could help thinking they were far better than Tiamat. Probably that if I had discovered them at first, I would have got a different opinion and exposure to their music. i apparently missed something when I read your comment…
November 2nd, 2005
at 12:33 pm
The music and the the mood on this tiamat cd is superb. But one thing which is solely the reason why I’m not a big fan of Tiamat is their cheesy lyrics. Oh my god it gets on my nerves!
November 2nd, 2005
at 3:31 pm
I’ve really wanted to get into this band for at least 10 years now but never can. I love this album cover and hear so many great things about this record but this song does almost nothing for me. It’s all keyboards and slightly overdramatic vocals, there are almost no guitars at all. Nothing I’ve ever heard from this band has won me over, and I can’t quite make sense of how revered they are based on the scattered songs I’ve encountered. It’s not bad, it’s just… not that special. I would never conceive of ranking this alongside anything by Katatonia or Opeth. I don’t know. The guitar leads are fucking awesome in this track, though. I love those moments…
November 2nd, 2005
at 4:54 pm
Andrew –
The album is definitely not all keyboards. Go download the track “The Ar”. Thats another hard hitting guitar driven song, among a couple others found on the album. There are a lot of ambient/keyboard driven pieces on this one, but they are more like mood setters between the songs than anything. You should really crank the full album, from start to finish.. you may have a different opinion.
November 3rd, 2005
at 7:22 pm
I bought it when it was first release 10 years ago and even before that I was a fan of the band. It felt really different listening to the album the first time compared to Clouds or Astral Sleep but fell in love with Wildhoney almost immediately. I was expecting the same with A Deeper Kind of Slumber but the later albums didnt get the LOVE as much as what I felt for Wildhoney. You can just insert the CD and play it till youre asleep without skipping any tracks yet sustaining the mood for the night. I’ve lost Dance of December Souls and Orchid but this CD is still well displayed in the racks.. OMG! I’m gonna listen to it now..
November 3rd, 2005
at 7:46 pm
Ciinx: it’s time you went out & “voted for love”. LOL