When Swedish doomsters Candlemass released their new album it dawned on me that I have never reviewed a Candlemass album. That’s almost a wrongful act. That we can’t have. Why then? Well, to be honest, I have never been that much into Doom Metal. Yes, I love Black Sabbath but that’s a whole other thing. That means that Candlemass have never really been a part of my musical journey other than that I know of them, seen them live on a couple of occasions – once with Robert Lowe and three times with Mats Levén singing – and listening through some of their earlier records one time. Fact is, the only album I really dig – and know – is Chapter VI (1992) when Thomas Vikström (Therion) was their singer. I’m a much bigger fan of bassist Leif Edling’s side-projects Abstrakt Algebra, Krux and Avatarium.
And speaking of singers, they have been the thorn in Candlemass’ side throughout the years. Since the start back in 1986 the band has been through no less than six singers – Johan Längkvist, Messiah Marcolin, Thomas Vikström, Björn Flodqvist, Robert Lowe and Mats Levén. After parting ways with the charismatic doom-dancing metal-monk Marcolin in 1991 it took the band a few years to take back their popularity, something that happened when Lowe in 2007 after an ill-fated reunion with Marcolin was hired so it was a bit of a shock when Lowe left in 2012. The band went on a six year hiatus before returning to the scene with Levén, also in Edling’s side projects Abstrakt Algebra and Krux and the band went on a big up which is why it was surprising that Levén was cut off to give Längqvist his old spot back. The change didn’t affect the band on a negative, though and the album about to be reviewed is the second since Längkvist’s return in 2019.
Opener “Wizard Of The Vortex” is heavy, dark and doomy, of course, but at the same time it holds an upbeat rhythm in a faster pace. It’s ballsy and beefy with an intense and evil riff but it also grooves. It’s quite direct and holds some quite direct vocal-melodies and the song’s chorus brings on an edgy hook that makes the tune even catchy. Wow. That’s some killer stuff right there. The title-track and video-single is even faster and classic Metal oriented but also brings along Candlemass’ template doom-riffage and an overlying darkness. It’s a shorter and concise headbanger, distinct and direct with a bang-on-target main melody and a refrain that holds water better than a lifeboat. Great stuff.
“Angel Battles” starts off slow, ominous and gloomy, heavy as hell, but soon takes on a faster tempo on a straight ahead rhythm with some fierce riffing and a Sabbath loving outlook. It’s hard-edged and forceful and throughout the song it shifts between the slow and fast tempos which makes for a great dynamic. It’s a firey and energetic tune with some killer melodies to go with it. Very good. Heavy, dark and gloomy “Black Butterfly” brings on an atmospheric soundscape with edgy riffing and a muscular rhythm. There’s also a faster and upbeat passage that changes the song’s dynamics positively. The chorus is also a jawbreaker that etches itself to the brain pretty much right off the bat. Good one.
Jennie Ann Smith from Avatarium makes a cameo singing the chorus besides Längqvist in the slow-paced Doom Metal ballad “When Death Sighs” – a good choice by producer Marcus Jidell (Avatarium – and Smith’s hubby). Before the massive riff comes in the song starts off brittle and stripped with a sinister outlook. The organ takes the song into Classic Rock territory as well. It’s a fantastic tune, gloomy yet embracing with a magnificent main-melody. The groovy single “Scandinavian Gods” must be the closest thing to a doom-hit ever. It’s dark for sure but it’s rhythmic with a über-catchy riff and very melodic vocal-melody. Hell, the captivating chorus is almost Arena Rock – if Arena Rock was evil. This is superb!
On a bluesier note, “Devil Voodoo” opens stripped down and fragile with acoustic guitars but soon takes on a faster pace with intense riffage and an upbeat, hard-hitting rhythm that’s edgy and fierce. After the low-key opening the song goes in a distinct, in-your-face and straight ahead pattern still on a chuggy and live-friendly groove with a direct refrain. Very good. “Crucified” opens on a down-beat yet heavy intro before it takes on a faster and heavier path, aggressive and ferocious with a landslide riff. It’s more a classic Heavy Metal kidney punch than a Doom Metal number. The rhythm section is chuggy and the whole outlook is beefy and robust Metal with more striking melodies. Good stuff indeed.
Getting close to the end the band brings on “Goddess”, a heavy, slow and dark number with an eerie atmosphere and tuned-down guitars which brings along some epic, ballsy riffing. It’s quite a bombastic tune with a hauling rhythm where the drums feels like a punch in the gut and bass comes at you fiercely. Still the melodies are sharp and hooky with lots of memorability. Great stuff. The album closes with the outro, the ingeniously titled “A Cup Of Coffin”. It’s an instrumental that screams Candlemass a long way – doomy, dark and heavy yet pretty melodic and accessible with a strong main melody.
The fact that I don’t really have all that much to compare this record with as my knowledge of Candlesmass’ discography is limited but what I do know is that this is a very strong record both in songs and production. The fact that they still are able to write dark, heavy and hard songs that are also so accessible and at times even catchy is quite remarkable. It proves that there’s a whole lot of life left in the Candlemass camp. Chapter VI is no longer my favorite Candlemass album. Well done indeed.
8/10
Tracklist:
1. Wizard Of The Vortex
2. Sweet Evil Sun
3. Angel Battle
4. Black Butterfly
5. When Death Sighs
6. Scandinavian Gods
7. Devil Voodoo
8. Crucified
9. Goddess
10. A Cup Of Coffin (Outro)
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