### Candlemass: Death magic doom

#### 19/11/10 || Altmer

I don’t think Candlemass needs an introduction, because they are, well, Candlemass. They are one of the forefathers of doom metal, that popped up after Sabbath decided to influence about any metal band on the planet. In fact, some of their heavy, distorted riffs always sounded distinctly Sabbathian, but with that special Leif Edling touch that made it sound like one of the best bands on the planet.

Then after four albums or so, they decided to go gay and fuck up their legacy completely. Nobody cares about that era of Candlemass and neither do I. This and the previous album are hailed as a return to form, though, and I can see why. This is some excellent doom metal that alternatively plods and stomps, and the vocals of old kid on the block Rob Lowe, who came in for the fat monk a while back, are fucken splendid. I love the vocals, I love the atmosphere, I love this fucken guy. He has so much power in his voice. It is like he is a guy in a big black cape waltzing through a dark castle. While drinking the blood of vampires and little kids. Amazing.

I thought Candlemass were a doom metal band though? The first song on this album sounds like it’s much faster than they usually do. It’s a good song, but I mean, what the fuck, guys? This doesn’t sound like “Epicus Doomicus Metallicus”. In fact, there are more parts of songs like the first one that are actually pretty up tempo and consequently almost seem out of place on a Candlemass album. Wait, what the fuck am I complaining about? This material is fucking good. Kudos for the ‘Mass for including it.

The rest of the songs pretty much all have that classic Candlemass vibe to them. “Hammer of Doom” is absolutely fantastic and worthy of inclusion on any of their albums. “Bleeding Baroness”: same thing. The album’s consistency peters out a little towards the end of the record, but overall this is some solid, solid doom metal. I think they need to work a little bit more on keeping the material even once they reach the end of an album, as the things start to thread into each other a bit by then. But especially the first half of the album is an absolute killer.

Looks like the change to Rob Lowe as a singer has done them a lot of good as a band, it sounds like Leif and his mates on the guitars are inspired as fuck, basically the whole band sounds inspired. I am glad to once again have a Candlemass album I can be proud of. It’s been a while since we had that. Good work, fuckos.

Recommendation: More of that fast material. I love it. And “The Bleeding Baroness” over and over. What a fucken song!

- Information
- Released:2009
- Label: Nuclear Blast
- Website: www.candlemass.se
- Band
- Robert Lowe: vocals
- Lars Johansson: guitars
- Mats Bjorkman: guitars
- Leif Edling: bass
- Jan Lindh: drums

- Tracklist
- 01. If I Ever Die
- 02. Hammer of Doom
- 03. The Bleeding Baroness
- 04. Demon of the Deep
- 05. House of Thousand Voices
- 06. Dead Angel
- 07. Clouds of Dementia
- 08. My Funeral Dreams