"Skeleton skeletron" CD by Tiamat

by Andreas Reissnauer (07/99) The last longplayer disappointed a lot of faithfull Tiamat supporters. Understandable, since only a couple of songs really convinced. With "Skeletron skeletron" singer Edlund might win back a lot of old fans. The bizarre but interesting opener "Church of tiamat" is followed by the maybe most commercial Tiamat song of all times "Brighter than the sun", a gothic pop hymn with strongly proportioned female vocals and an extraordinarely catchy hookline. No question - this one was inspired by the Sisters Of Mercy. The following pieces sound like direct successors to "Wildhoney". A little more melodic but just as dynamic with great melodies and a proper portion of melancholy and due to a couple of synthesizer elements a little more modern and, hurray, featuring partly pretty harsh, kick-ass guitars. "Sympathy for the devil" is a melancholic cover version of the Rolling Stones hit, "Best friend money can buy" obviously is a tribute to Nick Cave and Tom Waits. The album is rounded off by the smasher "As long as you are mine" and the threatening "Lucy". Varied, great album which still sounds closed in itself! (Andreas Reissnauer - 07/99)