Candlemass

Candlemass is a Swedish doom metal group from Stockholm, formed in 1984 by bassist, songwriter and bandleader Leif Edling and drummer Matz Ekström. The band is associated with epic doom metal, heavy metal and traditional doom metal, and is regarded as a major influence on the genre. Its debut album, Epicus Doomicus Metallicus, is closely linked to the naming of doom metal itself. Candlemass is also counted among the “big four of doom metal” alongside Pentagram, Saint Vitus and Trouble.

Formation and early releases

The original line-up includes session vocalist Johan Längqvist, guitarist Mats “Mappe” Björkman and guitarist Klas Bergwall, alongside Edling and Ekström. The group’s first album, Epicus Doomicus Metallicus (1986), establishes its place in doom metal. Längqvist is then replaced by Messiah Marcolin. By the time the band records its second album, Nightfall (1987), Bergwall and Ekström have left, Jan Lindh joins on drums, and Lars Johansson joins on guitar after the album is completed.

Candlemass continues with Ancient Dreams (1988), Tales of Creation (1989) and the live album Live (1990). Marcolin leaves in 1991 after a dispute within the band.

Line-up changes, breakups and reunions

After Marcolin’s departure, Candlemass recruits Thomas Vikström and records Chapter VI (1992), then tours in support of the album. The band ends in 1994, in part because Chapter VI is unsuccessful and in part because Edling forms Abstrakt Algebra. When that project does not progress well, Edling returns under the Candlemass name with a new line-up and records Dactylis Glomerata, which combines material from the abandoned Abstrakt Algebra project with new songs. From the 13th Sun follows, both albums featuring singer Björn Flodkvist.

In 2002, a past line-up reunites for live shows and a live album, and the band also issues remastered editions of Epicus Doomicus Metallicus, Nightfall, Ancient Dreams and Tales of Creation, plus the DVD Documents of Doom. The reunion ends and the group breaks up again. Candlemass reforms in 2004 and remains active.

Later recordings and vocalists

The reformed band releases the self-titled album Candlemass in 2005 and wins a Swedish Grammy for it. Messiah Marcolin is no longer part of the group from 2006. Robert Lowe of Solitude Aeturnus then becomes vocalist and records King of the Grey Islands (2007), which is self-produced apart from four songs handled by Andy Sneap. The band marks its twentieth anniversary with a live event at which original singer Johan Längqvist appears on stage for the first time with the group; the performance is later issued on DVD.

In 2009 the band releases Death Magic Doom, after the album title changes from Hammer of Doom. Candlemass signs to Napalm Records in 2011 and releases Psalms for the Dead in 2012.

Robert Lowe leaves in 2012 and is replaced for live work by Mats Levén, who has also worked with Edling in Abstrakt Algebra and Krux and has sung on demos from the Candlemass and King of the Grey Islands sessions. Keyboardist Per Wiberg also joins the band on stage for these shows. In 2013 Candlemass is voted the greatest Swedish hard rock/metal band of all time by writers of Sweden Rock Magazine.

Recent activity

To mark the 30th anniversary of Epicus Doomicus Metallicus, Candlemass releases the EP Death Thy Lover in 2016 and also issues a career-spanning coffee-table book. In 2018 Johan Längqvist returns to the band after a long absence. The group releases The Door to Doom in 2019, featuring a guest guitar solo from Tony Iommi on “Astorolus - The Great Octopus”, and follows with the EP The Pendulum in 2020. Its thirteenth studio album, Sweet Evil Sun, appears in 2022.

Style and influences

Candlemass’s music is rooted in early Black Sabbath, and Edling’s writing is also shaped by Blue Öyster Cult, Mercyful Fate/King Diamond, Bachman-Turner Overdrive, Rush, Nazareth, the Jimi Hendrix Experience, Judas Priest, Motörhead and Venom. Edling is the band’s main songwriter and sole constant member.