19804: Candlemass

 Feb, 03 - 2014   no comments   1980s Music


 

Candlemass is an influential Swedish doom metal band established in Stockholm 1984 by bassist, songwriter and bandleader Leif Edling and the drummer, Matz Ekström. After releasing five full-length albums and touring extensively throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, Candlemass disbanded in 1994, but reunited three years later. After breaking up again in 2002, Candlemass reformed in 2004 and have continued to record and perform since then. Candlemass is also the seventh best selling artist coming out from Sweden selling as of 2010 more than 15 million albums worldwide.

Candlemass

Cover of Candlemass

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, drummer Matz Ekström, guitarist Mats “Mappe” Bjorkman and Klas Bergwall. 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.  Following the band’s debut album Längqvist was replaced by Messiah Marcolin. By the time the band entered the studio to record their second effort, Nightfall, in 1987, Bergwall and Ekström had left the band. Jan Lindh joined the band on drums, and Lars Johansson joined the band on guitars following the completion of the album.

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)

Candlemass

Candlemass (Photo credit: jonas_l)

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[citation needed] 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,[citation needed] 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.

More here

  • Doom Metal
  • Heavy Metal
  • Scandinavian Metal
  • Stockholm, Sweden
  • 1984–1994
  • 1997–2002
  • 2004–present

Current members

  • Leif Edling – bass (1984–1994, 1997–2002, 2004–present)
  • Mats “Mappe” Björkman – rhythm guitars (1984–1994, 2002, 2004–present)
  • Lars Johansson – lead guitars (1987–1994, 2002, 2004–present)
  • Jan Lindh – drums, percussion (1987–1994, 2002, 2004–present)
  • Mats Levén – lead vocals (2012–present)

Former members

  • Johan Längqvist – lead vocals (1984–1987)
  • Klas Bergwall – lead guitars (1984–1987)
  • Matz Ekström – drums, percussion (1984–1987)
  • Messiah Marcolin – lead vocals (1987–1991, 2002, 2004–2006)
  • Thomas Vikström – lead vocals (1991–1994)
  • Carl Westholm – keyboards (1997–1998)
  • Michael Amott – lead guitars (1997–1999)
  • Björn Flodkvist – lead vocals (1997–2002)
  • Jejo Perkovic – drums, percussion (1997–2002)
  • Mats Ståhl – lead & rhythm guitars (1999–2002)
  • Robert Lowe – lead vocals (2006–2012)

Studio albums

Live albums

  • Live (1990)
  • Doomed for Live – Reunion 2002 (2002)
  • No Sleep ’til Athens (2010)[18]
  • Ashes to Ashes (2010)[19]
  • Epicus Doomicus Metallicus – Live at Roadburn 2011 (2013)

Compilation albums

  • As It Is, As It Was (1994)
  • Black Heart of Candlemass (2002)
  • Diamonds of Doom (2003) (limited vinyl record)
  • Essential Doom (2004)
  • Dactylis Glomerata & Abstrakt Algebra II (previously unreleased album) (2008)

Box Sets

  • Doomology (2010)

EPs and singles

  • Samarithan (1988)
  • At the Gallows End (1988)
  • Sjunger Sigge Fürst (1993)
  • Nimis (2001)
  • At the Gallows End/Samarithan (2005)
  • Dark Reflections/Into The Unfathomed Tower (2005)
  • Mirror Mirror/The Bells Of Acheron (2005)
  • Solitude/Crystal Ball (2005)
  • Assassin of the Light (2005)
  • Black Dwarf (with Robert Lowe on vocals) (2007)
  • Lucifer Rising (2008)
  • Don’t Fear the Reaper (2010)

Candlemass – Siren Song 

CANDLEMASS @ Wacken Open Air 2013

Candlemass live in Sweden 1990 

Candlemass Variety

Candlemass Epicuss Doomicus Metallicus 1986 Full Album 

Candlemass – Tales Of Creation (full album) 

Candlemass – Death Magic Doom

  • Capitol
  • Metal Blade
  • Restless
  • Nuclear Blast
  • Napalm Records
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