Origin: Sweden
Genres: Doom Metal
official site MySpace

Candlemass  


Candlemass is widely acknowledged as one of the founders of the modern doom metal movement. Founded by Leif Edling after the demise of his previous band Nemesis, the group immediately made its mark with their debut, Epicus Doomicus Metallicus, a true landmark in the doom field (and a BNR favorite), though it was the arrival of charismatic vocalist Messiah Marcolin that the band's trademark sound began to develop. Many point to the trio of Nightfall, Ancient Dreams, and Tales Of Creation as some of the best doom metal ever recorded. By the time of their sixth album (VI), however, Marcolin was gone, and so was some of the doominess of the previous albums. Some time later the band folded, with Edling soldiering on with a power metal-inspired band, Abstrakt Algebra, and the other members appearing in bands such as Zoic and Memento Mori. With Abstrakt Algebra not doing as well as hoped, Edling resurrected the Candlemass name with a brand new lineup, eventually releasing two fine albums in Dactylis Glomerata and From The 13th Sun. While not the pure doom of the classic era, these two albums are quite heavy and quite recommended, though they have not met with the same level of acceptance as the earlier albums.

The classic lineup returned to action in 2002, releasing a live album a year later. A demo was also recorded, but eventually personal differences came to a head, and the five members decided they couldn't work together anymore, and so in May 2004 the group officially disbanded once again, only to reunite some months later. The comeback album, simply titled Candlemass, was finally released in 2005, and it was a success, the band sounding rejuvenated and fresh while retaining the classic sound of their past.

Work was started on a new album in 2006 despite an unsteady vocalist situation, with various reports saying that Messiah either would or would not participate. At one point he was on board, but that reunion apparently fell apart, with an October press release from the band stating that Messiah definitely would not be singing for the band anymore. Finally, in January 2007, the band made the announcement that none other than standout Solitude Aeturnus singer Robert Lowe would be singing on the new album, which has since been released.

Current Members

Mats Levén

vocals (Abstrakt Algebra, At Vance, Krux, Yngwie Malmsteen)

Mats Bjorkman

guitars (Zoic)

Lasse Johansson

lead guitar (Creozoth, Zoic)

Leif Edling

bass (Abstrakt Algebra, Krux, Nemesis)

Jan Lindh

drums (Creozoth, Zoic)

Former Members/Guests

Johan Lanquist

vocals

Messiah Marcolin

vocals (Memento Mori, Mercy)

Thomas Vikström

vocals (Stormwind, Therion)

Björn Flodkvist

vocals

Robert Lowe

vocals (Concept Of God, Last Chapter, Solitude Aeturnus)

Michael Amott (guest)

guitars (Arch Enemy, Carcass, Carnage, Spiritual Beggars)

Mats Stahl

guitars

Carl Westholm

keyboards

Matz Ekstrom

drums

Jejo Perkovic

drums (Abstrakt Algebra)


Discography


Epicus Doomicus Metallicus 
1986 Black Dragon
  1. Solitude
  2. Demons Gate
  3. Crystal Ball
  4. Black Stone Wielder
  5. Under The Oak
  6. A Sorcerer's Pledge
  • Johan Lanquist
  • Mats Bjorkman
  • Leif Edling
  • Matz Ekstrom
1986 BNR Top Ten album



Nightfall 
1987 Metal Blade
  1. Gothic Stone
  2. The Well Of Souls
  3. Codex Gigas
  4. At The Gallows End
  5. Samarithan
  6. Marche Funebre
  7. Dark Are The Veils Of Death
  8. Mourner's Lament
  9. Bewitched
  • Messiah Marcolin
  • Mats Bjorkman
  • Lasse Johansson
  • Leif Edling
  • Jan Lindh
1987 Internet Top Ten album

Reviews:   Metal Observer  Metal Forces 


Ancient Dreams 
1988 Active
  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
  • Messiah Marcolin
  • Mats Bjorkman
  • Lasse Johansson
  • Leif Edling
  • Jan Lindh

Reviews:   Metal Observer 


Tales Of Creation 
1989 Active
  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 INfinity Halls Of Death
  10. A Tale Of Creation
  • Messiah Marcolin
  • Mats Bjorkman
  • Lasse Johansson
  • Leif Edling
  • Jan Lindh

Reviews:   Metal Observer 


Live  LIVE
1990 Music For Nations
  1. The Well Of Souls
  2. Dark Are The Veils Of Death
  3. Bewitched
  4. Solitude
  5. Dark Reflections
  6. Under The Oak
  7. Demon's Gate
  8. Through The Infinitive Halls Of Death
  9. Samarithan
  10. Mirror, Mirror
  11. At The Gallows End
  12. A Sorcerer's Pledge
  • Messiah Marcolin
  • Mats Bjorkman
  • Lasse Johansson
  • Leif Edling
  • Jan Lindh



Chapter VI 
1992 Music For Nations
  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
  • Thomas Vikström
  • Mats Bjorkman
  • Lasse Johansson
  • Leif Edling
  • Jan Lindh

Reviews:   Lords Of Metal  Metal Observer 


(EP) Sjunger Sigge Furst 
1993 MegaRock
  1. Bullfest
  2. Samling vid Pumpen
  3. Brollop pa Hulda Johanssons pensionat
  4. Tjo och Tjim och inget annat



As It Is, As It Was  COMPILATION
1994 Metal Blade
  1. Solitude
  2. Bewitched
  3. Dying Illusion
  4. Demon's Gate
  5. Mirror Mirror-Live
  6. Samarithan
  7. Into The Unfathomed Tomorrow
  8. Bearer Of Pain
  9. Where The Ruins Still Speak
  10. At The Gallows End
  11. Mourners Lament
  12. A Tale Of Creation
  13. Ebony Throne
  14. Under The Oak
  15. Well Of Souls-Live
  16. Dark Are The Veils Of Death
  17. Darkness In Paradise
  18. The End Of Pain
  19. Sorcerer's Pledge
  20. Solitude (87 12" version)
  21. Crystal Ball (87 12" version)
  22. Bullfest (93 swedish party single)



Dactylis Glomerata 
1998 Music For Nations
  1. Wiz
  2. I Still See the Black
  3. Dustflow
  4. Karthago
  5. Abstract Sun
  6. Apathy
  7. Lidocain God
  8. Soothe Me into Oblivion
  • Björn Flodkvist
  • Michael Amott
  • Leif Edling
  • Carl Westholm
  • Jejo Perkovic
1998 BNR Top Ten album

Reviews:   Metal Observer 


From The 13th Sun 
1999 Music For Nations
  1. Droid
  2. Tot
  3. Elephant Star
  4. Blumma Apt
  5. Arx/NG 891
  6. Zog
  7. Galatea
  8. Cyclo-F
  9. Mythos
  • Björn Flodkvist
  • Mats Stahl
  • Leif Edling
  • Jejo Perkovic
1999 BNR Top Ten album



Doomed For Life  LIVE
2003
  1. Mirror Mirror
  2. Bewitched
  3. Dark Are The Veils Of Death
  4. Demons Gate
  5. Under The Oak
  6. At The Gallows End
  7. Samaritians
  8. Dark Reflections
  9. Mourners Lament
  10. Black Stone Weilder
  11. Well Of Souls
  12. Sorcerers Pledge
  13. Barer Of Pain
  14. Ancient Dreams
  15. Somewhere In Nowhere
  16. Solitude
  17. Crystal Ball
  • Messiah Marcolin
  • Mats Bjorkman
  • Lasse Johansson
  • Leif Edling
  • Jan Lindh



Documents Of Doom 
2003

Reviews:   Lords Of Metal 


Diamonds Of Doom  COMPILATION
2003
  1. Dark Are The Veils Of Death
  2. Under The Oak
  3. At The Gallows End
  4. Solitude
  5. Mirror Mirror
  6. Crystal Ball
  7. The Well Of Souls
  8. Dark Reflections
  9. Into The Unfathomed Tower
  10. Somewhere In Nowhere



Essential Doom  COMPILATION
2005
  1. Solitude
  2. Crystal Ball
  3. A Sorcerers Pledge
  4. Gothic Stone
  5. The Well Of Souls
  6. Bewitched
  7. At The Gallows End
  8. Samarithan
  9. Mirror Mirror
  10. Ancient Dreams
  11. The Prophecy
  12. Dark Reflections
  13. Into The Unfathomed Tower
  14. Witches
  15. The Well Of Souls (Live DVD)
  16. Dark Are The Veils Of Death (Live DVD)
  17. Mirror Mirror (Live DVD)
  18. A Sorcerers Pledge (Live DVD)
  19. At The Gallows End (Live DVD)



The Curse Of Candlemass 
2005 Escapi

Reviews:   Lords Of Metal 


Candlemass 
2005 Nuclear Blast
  1. Black Dwarf
  2. Seven Silver Keys
  3. Assassin Of The Light
  4. Copernicus
  5. The Man Who Fell From The Sky
  6. Witches
  7. Born In A Tank
  8. Spellbreaker
  9. The Day And The Night
  10. Mars and Volcanos (bonus track)
  • Messiah Marcolin
  • Mats Bjorkman
  • Lasse Johansson
  • Leif Edling
  • Jan Lindh

Reviews:   Blabbermouth  Chronicles Of Chaos  Sea Of Tranquility  Lords Of Metal 


King Of The Grey Islands 
2007 Nuclear Blast
  1. Prologue
  2. Emperor Of The Void
  3. Devil Seed
  4. Of Stars And Smoke
  5. Demonia 6
  6. Destroyer
  7. Man Of Shadows
  8. Clearsight
  9. The Opal City
  10. Embracing The Styx
  • Robert Lowe
  • Mats Bjorkman
  • Lasse Johansson
  • Leif Edling
  • Jan Lindh
2007 Internet Top Ten album

Reviews:   Blabbermouth  Sea Of Tranquility  Lords Of Metal  Metal Underground  Metal Observer 


20 Year Anniversary Party 
2007



Lucifer Rising 
2008 Nuclear Blast
  1. Lucifer Rising
  2. The White God
  3. Demons Gate (Re-recorded)
  4. At The Gallows End
  5. Solitude
  6. Emperor Of The Void
  7. Devil Seed
  8. Mirror Mirror
  9. Under The Oak
  10. Of Stars And Smoke
  11. Black Dwarf
  12. Samarithan
  • Robert Lowe
  • Mats Bjorkman
  • Lasse Johansson
  • Leif Edling
  • Jan Lindh

Reviews:   Lords Of Metal 


Death Magic Doom 
2009 Nuclear Blast
  1. If I Ever Die
  2. Hammer Of Doom
  3. The Bleeding Baroness
  4. Demon Of The Deep
  5. House Of 1000 Voices
  6. Dead Angel
  7. Clouds Of Dementia
  8. My Funeral Dreams
  • Robert Lowe
  • Mats Bjorkman
  • Lasse Johansson
  • Leif Edling
  • Jan Lindh
2009 Internet Top Ten album

Reviews:   Blabbermouth  Chronicles Of Chaos  Sea Of Tranquility  Lords Of Metal  Metal Observer 


Ashes To Ashes - Live 
2010 Nuclear Blast



Psalms For The Dead 
2012 Napalm
  1. Prophet
  2. The Sound Of Dying Demons
  3. Dancing In The Temple (Of The Mad Queen Bee)
  4. Waterwitch
  5. The Lights Of Thebe
  6. Psalms For The Dead
  7. The Killing Of The Sun
  8. Siren Song
  9. Black As Time
  10. Sadness Runs Deep (7" bonus single)
  11. Beneath The Fire (7" bonus single)


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