Candlemass

CANDLEMASS

   Candlemass are an influential Swedish doom metal band established in 1984 by Leif Edling (bass), their leader and songwriter. The band is originally from Stockholm. After releasing five full-length albums and touring extensively throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, Candlemass disbanded in 1994, but decided to reform three years later. After breaking up again in 2002, Candlemass reformed in 2004 and have continued to record and perform since then. They plan to split up for a third time after they release their eleventh studio album in 2012.

Formation and early career (1984–1990):

   After the breakup of his first band Nemesis, bassist Leif Edling started his own band under the name Candlemass with vocalist Johan Längqvist, guitarist Mats Mappe Bjorkman, and drummer Matz Ekström. Their first release, Epicus Doomicus Metallicus (1986), immediately secured their standing, positioning the band within metal circles, setting a milestone in the doom metal scene. Längqvist only recorded that one album with Candlemass, however. His successor as frontman, Messiah Marcolin, joined the band for their second effort, Nightfall, in 1987. Two other new members appeared on this album: lead guitarist Lars Johansson and drummer Jan Lindh.

   Candlemass's next two albums were Ancient Dreams (1988) and Tales of Creation (1989). In 1990, the band released a live album Live. Shortly afterward, a dispute between the band members resulted in Messiah Marcolin's departure.

New singer-era, hiatus and first reunion (1991–2003):

   After Marcolin left, Candlemass recruited vocalist Thomas Vikström and recorded Chapter VI (1992). The band then toured in support of that album. By 1994, Candlemass had called it quits, partly because Chapter VI was unsuccessful and partially because Edling had formed another project under the name of Abstrakt Algebra. With Abstrakt Algebra not doing well, Leif suddenly recruited a new line-up under the name of Candlemass and recorded the album Dactylis Glomerata, which was a combination of songs for a new Abstrakt Algebra CD and some new material. A year later the album From the 13th Sun was released.

   In 2002, the members of a past Candlemass line-up reunited. They performed some well-received live shows and released another live album. Other albums released by the reformed band were remastered versions of Epicus Doomicus Metallicus, Nightfall, Ancient Dreams, and Tales of Creation. A DVD called Documents of Doom was released as well. The band was working on a new album and recorded some new songs while searching for a record label when differences arose again, resulting in Candlemass disbanding a second time. In the meantime, Leif Edling started a new project, Krux, with former Abstrakt Algebra singer Mats Levén and two members of Entombed..

Second reunion (2004–2006):

   In November 2004, the band announced that they had re-united for the second time. They had recorded a new album, named simply Candlemass, with the same line-up. It was released in May 2005. They won a Swedish Grammy for it in 2005.

   In 2006 the band announced that a new album was in preparation, to be released sometime in 2007. In October 2006, after much uncertainty regarding Messiah Marcolin's participation, it was settled that Messiah was out for good.

Robert Lowe-era and planned third split (2007–present):

   Candlemass found a new vocalist, Robert Lowe (Solitude Aeturnus), who recorded with the band's ninth album King of the Grey Islands, which was released on June 22, 2007. The album is self-produced except for four songs produced by Andy Sneap.

   On March 31, 2007, Candlemass celebrated a slightly delayed twentieth anniversary. To commemorate the celebration, original singer Johan Längqvist appeared live with the band for the first time. The event was recorded and later released as a DVD.

   Mats "Mappe" Bjorkman was sentenced to serve two years behind bars for grand theft in March 2008. He has been convicted of stealing over 35,000 CDs and DVDs priced at around 3 million Sek (Around $500,000).

   Candlemass worked on a tenth studio album in 2008. It was intended to be titled Hammer of Doom, but they renamed it to Death Magic Doom because the name coincided with a German festival. The album was scheduled to be released on March 27, 2009, but it was delayed until April the 3rd 2009.

   In 2009, bassist Leif Edling told Soundshock that work on the next Candlemass album would likely begin before 2011. However, this plan fell through, and Leif has stated that the album's release date will be pushed back to 2012, in order for the band concentrate on the 25th anniversary of their 1986 debut Epicus Doomicus Metallicus.

   On October 14, 2011, it was announced that Candlemass were signed to the Austrian label Napalm Records, who will release their new album in the spring of 2012. The band is planning to split up for a third time after this.

Band members:

Current:

• Robert Lowe – lead vocals (2006–present)

• Lars Johansson – lead guitars (1987–1994, 2002, 2004–present)

• Mats "Mappe" Björkman – rhythm guitars (1984–1994, 2002, 2004–present)

• Leif Edling – bass (1984–1994, 1997–2002, 2004–present)

• Jan Lindh – drums, percussion (1987–1994, 2002, 2004–present)

Former:

• Johan Längqvist – lead vocals (1984–1986)

• Matz Ekström – drums, percussion (1984–1986)

• Thomas Vikström – lead vocals (1991–1994)

• Messiah Marcolin – lead vocals (1987–1991, 2002, 2004–2006)

• Björn Flodkvist – lead vocals (1997–2001)

• Jejo Perkovic – drums, percussion (1997–2001)

• Mats Ståhl – rhythm guitars (1999–2001)

Session:

• Klas Bergwall – lead guitars (1986)

• Mike Wead – lead guitars (1987)

• Ian Haugland – drums, percussion (1997)

• Ulf Edelund – lead guitars (1997)

• Patrik Instedt – lead guitars (1997)

• Carl Westholm – keyboards (1997–1998, 1999)

• Michael Amott – lead guitars (1997–1998)

Discography:

EPICUS DOOMICUS METALLICUS

(1986)

   Epicus Doomicus Metallicus is the debut album of the Swedish Doom metal band Candlemass, released June 10, 1986 on Black Dragon Records. It was re-issued in 2003 with a bonus live CD. The album title Epicus Doomicus Metallicus is a Dog Latin rendering of "Epic Doom Metal", the genre with which the band is most commonly identified. The album is the poorest selling album by Candlemass in the 80s. With sales over 500.000 records worldwide.

NIGHTFALL

(1987)

   Nightfall is the second album by Swedish doom metal band Candlemass, released in 1987. It was the first album to feature Messiah Marcolin on vocals. The cover art of the album is a portrait made by Thomas Cole, the last in his series, "The Voyage of Life", entitled "Old Age". Nightfall was reissued in 2001 with a bonus disk. A video was made for "Bewitched", featuring Per Yngve Ohlin who later became famous under the pseudonym "Dead" as the singer of Norwegian Black-Metal band Mayhem. By making the Bewitched video, Candlemass' made their international break through. With sales nearly 1 million copies worldwide it makes the album Candlemass second best selling album.

ANCIENT DREAMS

(1988)

   Ancient Dreams is the third album of Swedish doom metal band Candlemass and was released in 1988, and reissued in 2001 by Powerline Records with bonus CD. The cover art of the album is a painting made by Thomas Cole, second in his series, "The Voyage of Life", entitled "Youth". The first album to chart i the USA. Debuting at #74 on the Billboard list. In december 2001 the album was certified Gold in the United States. Its the best selling album by Candlemass, with sales over 2.000.000 records worldwide. Making it to the second best selling artist of sweden in 1988 after Europe.

TALES OF CREATION

(1989)

   Tales of Creation is the fourth album by Swedish doom metal band Candlemass released in 1989 and reissued with bonus CD in 2001.

   Some of the material from this album ("Dark Reflections", "Under the Oak", "Into the Unfathomed Tower", "Somewhere in Nowhere" and "A Tale of Creation") were originally recorded in 1985 by one of the earliest incarnations of Candlemass. "Under the Oak" is actually a remake of a song from their 1986 debut Epicus Doomicus Metallicus. The cover art is a modified Gustave Doré's work "The Creation of Light".

   Tales of Creation was also the last to feature vocalist Messiah Marcolin for 15 years until he (temporarily) came back.

CHAPTER VI

(1992)

   Chapter VI is the fifth studio album by Swedish doom metal band Candlemass released in 1992. This was the first Candlemass album not to feature Messiah Marcolin on vocals since their 1986 debut Epicus Doomicus Metallicus. On this one, Thomas Vikström took his place. After poor sales of the album, Candlemass subsequently disbanded in early 1994, only to reform three years later.

DACTYLIS GLOMERATA

(1998)

   Dactylis Glomerata is an album by doom metal band Candlemass, released in 1998. This was the first album they released since their split in 1994 and reunion in 1997. It is the only Candlemass album that features guitarist Michael Amott of Arch Enemy and Carcass notability on lead guitar.

   In 2006 it was reissued by GMR Music as a 2 CD editon. The second disc contains a previously unreleased album Abstrakt Algebra II recorded by Leif Edling's side-project Abstrakt Algebra.

FROM THE 13TH SUN

(1999)

   From the 13th Sun is an album by Candlemass released in 1999. The CD liner notes say it is "dedicated to the greatest band of all time: Black Sabbath".

CANDLEMASS

(2005)

   Candlemass is the eighth studio album by Swedish doom metal band Candlemass released in 2005. This was the first (and only) album to feature Messiah Marcolin on vocalist since 1989's Tales of Creation.

   A video for the album's opener, "Black Dwarf", was made. The song "Witches" was also included in the soundtrack for the 2009 video game "Brütal Legend"

KING OF THE GREY ISLANDS

(2007)

   King of the Grey Islands is the ninth studio album by Swedish doom metal band Candlemass released on June 22, 2007. This is the first album recorded following the departure of vocalist Messiah Marcolin who left the band during the pre-production phase of the album. He was replaced by Robert Lowe, who would stay with the band permanently.

   A digipak version contains two bonus studio session tracks with Robert Lowe. The album was also released as a vinyl, including a bonus track titled "Edgar Grey".

DEATH MAGIC DOOM

(2009)

   Death Magic Doom is the 10th studio album by the Swedish epic doom metal band Candlemass.

   The working title for this album was "Hammer of Doom", which is the name of the album's second track, but the idea was abandoned due to there being a German festival of the same name. The band recorded it during the autumn of 2008, and was seeking a release on March 27, 2009. However, the album's release was delayed until April 3, 2009; the United States release date for this album was May 5, 2009.

And now enjoy the epic Candlemass: