TIAMAT commandments - an anthology SM27170921

Gothic Evolution: Tiamat’s ‘Commandments – An Anthology’ (SM 27170921)

Today’s entry looks at a comprehensive retrospective of one of Sweden’s most shapeshifting bands. We are examining the 2022 double vinyl reissue of Commandments – An Anthology by Tiamat, released on the Sevan Mater label with the catalog number SM 27170921.

A Journey Through Darkness

Tiamat is a band that never stayed in one place for long, and this compilation perfectly captures their fascinating evolution. Spanning their first 15 years, the tracklist guides the listener from their raw, death/doom metal beginnings on songs like Where The Serpents Ever Dwell and The Sleeping Beauty into their atmospheric peak. The set naturally features key cuts from their masterpiece Wildhoney, such as Gaia and Whatever That Hurts, before transitioning into their later era of sophisticated gothic rock with catchy anthems like Vote For Love and Cain. It is an essential collection for understanding how the band bridged the gap between extreme metal and dark, melodic rock.

Format

This release is a treat for vinyl collectors, presented as a 2-LP set pressed on translucent Red Vinyl. It was released as a limited edition, offering a colorful update to a compilation that was originally a CD staple.

Packaging

The records are housed in a deluxe gatefold sleeve that features the classic artwork. New copies come with a hype sticker on the shrink wrap, confirming the color variant and the limited nature of the pressing.