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. Lowe went on to sing on four studio albums, the last of which (2012's Psalms For The Dead) has been declared by the band as their last studio album, though they continue to play live, now with Mats Leven at the mic.

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Discography

Studio Live Compilation Video

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