Candlemass

This article is about the band Candlemass, for the Christian feast day, see Candlemas.

Candlemass
Messiah and Leif at Wacken Open Air 2005
Background information
Origin	Sweden
Genre(s)	Doom metal
Years active	1985–1992 1997–2002 2004–present
Label(s)	Capitol, Metal Blade, Restless, Nuclear Blast
Associated acts	Solitude Aeturnus, Krux, Abstrakt Algebra
Website	www.candlemass.se
Members
Robert Lowe Mats Björkman Lars Johansson Leif Edling Jan Lindh
Former members
Johan Längqvist Matz Ekström Thomas Vikström Bjorn Flödkvist Jejo Perkovic Mats Ståhl Carl Westholm Michael Amott Ian Haugland Klas Bergwall Mike Wead Messiah Marcolin Ulf Edelund Patrik Instedt

Candlemass is a Swedish doom metal band established in the 1980s by Leif Edling (bass), its leader and songwriter. The band is originally from Stockholm.

Biography

After the breakup of his first band Nemesis in 1985, 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.^[1] 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). The latter album is distinguished from previous releases by adding some musical patterns speeding up the tempo (which is usually associated with progressive metal) into the band's original sound.^{[citation needed]} In 1990, the band released a live album. Shortly afterward, a dispute between the band members resulted in Messiah Marcolin's departure.^{[citation needed]}

After Marcolin left, Candlemass recruited vocalist Thomas Vikström and recorded Chapter VI (1992). Candlemass then disbanded, partly because the album 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.^{[citation needed]} A couple of years later the Black Sabbath-inspired album^{[citation needed]} 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.^{[citation needed]} 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 Leven and two members of Entombed.

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. The band then found a new vocalist, Robert Lowe (Solitude Aeturnus)^[2][3], who recorded with the band's new album King of the Grey Islands, which was released on June 22, 2007. The new album is self-produced except for four songs produced by Andy Sneap.^[4]

On March 31, 2007, Candlemass celebrated a slightly delayed twentieth anniversary. To commemorate the celebration, original singer Johan Längqvist's appearance live with the band for the first and only 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)^[5][6].

Candlemass worked on a full-length album in 2008. It was intended to be Hammer of Doom, but they renamed it to Death Magic Doom because a german festival is named with that name.^[7] The album was scheduled to be released on March 27, 2009, but it was delayed until April the 3rd 2009.^[8]

Band Members

Current

• Robert Lowe – lead vocals (2006–present)
• Lars Johansson – lead guitars (1987–1992, 2002, 2004–present)
• Mats "Mappe" Björkman – rhythm guitars (1985–1992, 2002, 2004–present)
• Leif Edling – bass (1985–1992, 1997–2002, 2004–present)
• Jan Lindh – drums, percussion (1987–1992, 2002, 2004–present)

Former

• Johan Längqvist – lead vocals (1985–1986)
• Matz Ekström – drums, percussion (1985–1986)
• Thomas Vikström – lead vocals (1991–1992)
• Björn Flodkvist – lead vocals (1997–2001)
• Jejo Perkovic – drums, percussion (1997–2001)
• Mats Ståhl – rhythm guitars (1999–2001)
• Messiah Marcolin – lead vocals (1987–1991, 2002, 2004–2006)

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

Studio albums

• 1986: Epicus Doomicus Metallicus
• 1987: Nightfall
• 1988: Ancient Dreams
• 1989: Tales of Creation
• 1992: Chapter VI
• 1998: Dactylis Glomerata
• 1999: From the 13th Sun
• 2005: Candlemass
• 2007: King of the Grey Islands
• 2009: Death Magic Doom

Live albums

• 1990: Live

EPs

• 1993: Sjunger Sigge Fürst
• 2008: Lucifer Rising

Compilations

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

DVDs

• 2002: Documents of Doom
• 2005: The Curse of Candlemass
• 2007: Candlemass 20 Year Anniversary

Singles

• 1987: Solitude
• 1988: Samarithan
• 1988: At the Gallows End
• 1989: Under the Oak
• 2005: Assassin of the Light
• 2007: Black Dwarf (with Robert Lowe on vocals)

References

1. ^ allmusic ((( Candlemass > Biography )))
2. ^ Blabbermouth.Net - Candlemass Taps Solitude Aeturnus Singer To Replace Messiah Marcolin
3. ^ BLABBERMOUTH.NET - SOLITUDE AETURNUS Guitarist Comments On Singer Joining CANDLEMASS
4. ^ "Candlemass: 'metal, doom and garlic'". Blabbermouth.net. 2006-10-18. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=60478. Retrieved on 2006-10-19. 
5. ^ Realtid.se: Känd svensk gitarrist fick fängelse
6. ^ Aftonbladet: Musiker dömd till fängelse
7. ^ Candlemass new album finally mixed!
8. ^ Candlemass - New Album Details: News @ metalstorm.ee

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Candlemass

• Candlemass official webpage
• Candlemass at Discogs
• Candlemass discography at MusicBrainz
• Candlemass at MySpace

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