Candlemass
Epicus Doomicus Metallicus (CD) 1986 Black Dragon Records
Epicus doomicus metallicus is the debut of this Swedish band around big composing talent and bassist Leif Edling. The title of this work most probably led to the use of the term "Doom-metal" to describe our favourite musical genre. Unlike doom death, classical doom metal bands like Candlemass don't use any death grunts, only clean, traditional heavy metal vocals. This work meant a blow with the fist in the face of every trendy, fake attempt to make metal in the eighties. It features six lengthy, epic doom tracks that bathe in an enigmatic, dark atmosphere. The production is very obscure and underground, but it contributes to the overall mysterious and epical sound, which is still very unique after 14 years of doom metal. Too bad that session vocalist Johan Lanquist only sung on this album and completely disappeared afterwards, because his vocals -that refer to traditional heavy metal and power metal but that fortunately fit with the dark, epical music of this album- are very powerful. But I'm sure that if he reads this review, he'll grin at the thought that he contributed to an album that was essential for the development of a whole movement within metal, a movement which refuses to follow any trend or image. To sum this up in the words of 'Solitude', the first track of this work: "Hear this words, vilifiers and pretenders/Please let me die in solitude".	1. Solitude 2. Demon's Gate 3. Crystal Ball 4. Black Stone Wielder 5. Under the Oak 6. A Sorceror's Pledge Approx. 43 minutes
Reviewed by: Kostas Panagiotou
Nightfall (CD) 1987 Axis (Active) Records
Pffffftt... how does one go about reviewing one of the biggest classics within the genre by a true classic amongst bands? Although not as influential as 'Epicus Doomicus Metallicus' this is the album seen by a lot of fans as their best. Having found a permanent singer in M. Marcolin, Candlemass set about creating one of the finest albums ever. Perhaps compared to modern-day death/doom it's not that heavy but for its time it definately was skull crushing heavy and it still packs an impact almost no modernday band has been able to accomplish! These heavy lamentations remind one of the first Black Sabbath albums and are complimented by rather unique clean vocals. When M. Marcolin sings "Ring Brother, ring for me. Ring the bells of hope and faith. Ring for my damnation. I am at the gallows end" it is hard not to be captured by his voice. In essence this album embodies all that is traditional 80ties doom-metal. Simply a must have for any real fan of the genre. Buy now, no questions ask!	1. Gothic Stone 2. The Well of Souls 3. Codex Gigas 4. At the Gallow's End 5. Samarithan 6. Marche Funebre 7. Dark are the Veils of Death 8. Mourner's Lament 9. Bewitched 10. Black Candles Approx. 46 minutes
Reviewed by: Aldo Quispel
Ancient Dreams (CD) 1988 Active Records
It was the year 1988. I was 17 years old. The phone rings. It was the local record shop. They just received the new Candlemass record and I could pick it up. I jumped on my bike and rushed into town, ignoring the traffic. With the hand on my wallet, I stepped through the demons gate (the door of the shop). There it was laying in front of me on the counter. The new Candlemass record. With trembling hands I gave my money. Could this record be better than their previous work? I rushed back to my home and locked myself up in my bedroom. Time to give this baby some rounds on the record player. After one listen I already knew I wouldn't have time to do any homework for school that week. I had to play this record over and over. And I did... 8 tracks filled with great doom riffs, guitar solo's from Lars Johanssen and the majestic vocals of Messiah. The production isn't that heavy compared to 'Epicus...' or 'Nightfall', but the songs really make up for it. Except for 'The Bells Of Acheron', because this song sounds too "happy" for my taste. Best songs on this album are 'Incarnation Of Evil', 'Ancient Dreams' and 'Epistle No. 81'. If you're a fan of melodic doom, this record is essential. The cd version has a bonus track in the form of a Black Sabbath medley. To the question if this record is better than their previous work, I would answer no. 'Epicus...' is still my favorite. And 'Ancient Dreams' is just as good as 'Nightfall'.	1. Mirror, Mirror 2. A Cry from the Crypt 3. Darkness in Paradise 4. Incarnation of Evil 5. Bearer of Pain 6. Ancient Dreams 7. The Bells of Acheron 8. Epistle No. 81 9. Black Sabbath Medley Approx. 60 minutes
Reviewed by: Jacob Remery
Tales of Creation (CD) 1989 Music for nations
Within 12 months after 'Ancient Dreams', Candlemass released their concept album 'Tales of Creation'. Biggest difference between this one and 'Ancient Dreams' is the production, which is a lot better/heavier. After the intro the cd kicks off with 'Dark Reflections'. A mid tempo song, but unfortunately not a classic opener like I used to hear from Candlemass. Still good though. After another intro we get 'Under The Oak'. This song was already on the 'Epicus..' record and was written with the 'Tales Of Creation' concept in mind. Song 5 'Tears' is the first song that really grabs my attention. Great doom riff and excellent solo from Lars Johansson. The instrumental 'Into The Unfathomed Tower' is actually a speed metal song. Not that I'm complaining. It's really good. In 'The Edge Of Heaven' Messiah sings: "Oh Lord! This Must Be Heaven", and indeed he's right. These songs kicks major ass and is one of Candlemass' best songs ever. A wonderful melody and a brilliant solo. The slowest song is song 8 'Somewhere In Nowhere'. Not much variation, but an excellent song, which unfortunalety fades out during the solo. 'Through The Infinite Halls Of Death' is a fast song. (For Candlemass standards anyway) This song is ok, but not something special. After the last intro we get the title track, which is a great song again. Overall this record isn't as good as their first three, but still recommended.	1. The Prophecy 2. Dark Reflections 3. Voices in the Wind 4. Under the Oak 5. Tears 6. Into the Unfathomed Tower 7. The Edge of Heaven 8. Somewhere in Nowhere 9. Through the Infinitive Halls of Death 10. Dawn 11. A Tale of Creation Approx. 43 minutes
Reviewed by: Jacob Remery
Chapter VI (CD) 1990 Music for nations
The hardest task when you try to review a Candlemass album is that from the start you know that no matter how hard you try, you will be biased and you can say farewell to every drop of objectivity you carry. This band, with the help of Trouble and a few other pioneers created the doom metal sound back in the 80s, and gave inspiration to many bands in their wake. Through the years, most of us identified the sound of this band with the vocals of Messiah Marcolin, and not without reason since his vocal range and energy is difficult to be found. After the release of three studio albums and a live one, Messiah was out of the band. The details and reasons behind his departure are not known (to me at least). The rest of the band hired Thomas Vikstrom, and they released their sixth album, called ’Chapter VI’. The sound of the album is the usual of Candlemass, but played faster and with vocals closer to power metal than doom. The album has its moments, with the first three tracks (‘The Dying Illusion’, ‘Julie Laughs No More’ and ‘Where the Runes Still Speak’) being the highlights of the album. The rest of the tracks sound a little predictable and safe in their writing. This doesn’t make the album bad with absolute measures (many try to achieve the quality of an album like this but fail), but for a Candlemass release, and most important for a Leif Edling offering, this is a mediocre album. The diehard fans of the band have this already; the rest start collecting their first four albums and get this later.	1. The Dying Illusion 2. Julie Laughs No More 3. Where the Runes Still Speak 4. The Ebony Throne 5. Temple of the Dead 6. Aftermath 7. Black Eyes 8. The End of Pain Approx. 47 minutes
Reviewed by: Dimitris Plastiras
From the 13th Sun (CD) 1999 Music for nations
Candlemass' 'From the 13th Sun' is a masterpiece, hanging like a derelict spacecraft orbiting a doomed sun about to go supernova. Rarely has a group combined heavy, Sabbathy doom with spaced-out effects and sf lyrics to create such an otherworldly, tripped-out slab of genius, giving the grateful listener an instant contact high. The thick, druggy brilliance fairly oozes out of the speakers, demanding attention even as you plunge headlong into Candlemass' icy, doomed vision. 'From the 13th Sun' was the second signpost on the road to Candlemass' comeback, begun by bass player Leif Edling after the band broke up in the early 90s. With the relative lack of success of Edling's subsequent project, Abstrakt Algebra, he determined to resurrect the mighty Candlemass, this time without the operatic vocals of their well-known singer, Messiah Marcolin. The comeback began with 'Dactylis Glomerata.' Although 'Dactylis' certainly had its moments, the album's recording turned into a time-consuming, bloated affair that was best avoided in the future. Thus, groupmeister Edling and crew determined to make '13th Sun' an altogether quicker affair, with a minimum of money shelled out for recording expenses. Whatever the reasoning, it worked in spades. '13th Sun' unashamedly takes its inspiration from the first four Black Sabbath albums (hell, the album's dedicated to the group), most notably the first one and 'Master of Reality.' Add in some 'Doremifasolatido'-era Hawkwind special effects, and you've got it. And while Hawkwind's effects were rendered by synth player Del Dettmar, Candlemass opted to plunder the early-70s effects pedals belonging to guitarist Mats Stahl to get a similar effect. They're remarkable. Vocalist Bjorn Flodkvist eschews Marcolin's melodramatic style in favor of a thinner, slightly Ozzy-ish tone, and it works beautifully. The songwriting, largely by Edling, is nothing short of brilliant; a typical song on '13th Sun' would easily form the centrepiece of most trad doom albums. Each song is better than the last, from the robotic insistence of 'Droid' to the 'Black Sabbath' dynamic of 'Tot' to the evocative atmospherics of the quiet opening sequence of 'Galatea.' The entire album is one of the ultimate trips in heavy music of any genre. Sure, there could have been a bit more bass, or the album might have been better off without 'Mythos' tacked on the end. Maybe. But the fact is, this is an essential, top-10 album for anyone even remotely interested in trad doom or space rock. No doom collection is complete without it.	1. Droid 2. Tot 3. Elephant Star 4. Blumma Apt 5. Arx/ng 891 6. Zog 7. Galatea 8. Cyclo-F 9. Mythos Approx. 48 minutes
Reviewed by: Kevin McHugh