Candlemass

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

Candlemass in 2005
Background information
Origin	Sweden
Genre(s)	Doom metal
Years active	1984–present
Label(s)	Capitol Metal Blade Powerline Restless Nuclear Blast
Associated acts	Solitude Aeturnus Krux Abstrakt Algebra
Website	http://www.candlemass.se/
Members
Robert Lowe Mats "Mappe" Björkman Lars Johansson Leif Edling Jan Lindh
Former members
Johann Langquist Matz Ekström Tomas 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.

Contents 1 Biography 2 Current line-up 2.1 Former members 3 Discography 3.1 Albums 3.2 Singles 3.3 Other releases 4 References 5 External links

[edit] Biography

After Leif Edling dissolved the band Nemesis, he started his own band under the name Candlemass (a possibly deliberate misspelling of Candlemas^{[original research?]}). The first Candlemass album was Epicus Doomicus Metallicus, released in 1986 and now considered a milestone in the doom metal scene.^{[citation needed]} The line-up for Epicus Doomicus Metallicus was:

• Leif Edling: bass
• Matz Ekström: drums
• Mats Mappe Björkman: guitar
• Johann Langquist: vocals
• Klas Bergwall: lead guitar

The next release was Nightfall (1987), considered by some as one of the greatest doom metal albums ever.^{[citation needed]} The line-up had now changed: new members were Messiah Marcolin (vocals), Lars Johansson (lead guitar) and Jan Lindh (drums). This line-up is generally considered the most important and the most successful in the band's history.^{[citation needed]} The next two albums were Ancient Dreams (1988), that is now considered an apogee of doom metal classics,^{[citation needed]} and Tales of Creation (1989), where the band trespassed beyond the edges of classic doom metal and made its touch to progressive metal.^{[original research?]} This album is distinguished among previous releases by adding some speed-up patterns into the band's original sound, usually used in progressive metal.^{[original research?]} In 1990, a live album was released. Shortly afterwards, a dispute between the band members resulted in Messiah Marcolin's decision to leave.^{[citation needed]}

After the departure of Marcolin, Candlemass recruited vocalist Tomas Vikström and recorded Chapter VI (1992). Candlemass then disbanded, partly because the album was unsuccessful^{[citation needed]} and partly because Leif 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, which was a combination of songs for a new Abstakt Algebra CD and some new material. A couple of years later the Black Sabbath -inspired album From the 13th Sun was released.

In 2002, the members of the classic Candlemass line-up decided to reform. They performed some well-received live shows and released another live album. Other albums released by the reformed band were remastered versions of Epicus... and Nightfall, Ancient Dreams and Tales of Creation. A DVD called Documents of Doom has been released as well. The band was working on a new album, with some new songs recorded, and searching for a record label, but differences arose again,^{[citation needed]} resulting in Candlemass disbanding again. 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 have re-united for the second time. They have recorded a new album, named simply Candlemass, with the classic line-up. It was released in May 2005. This CD was named in the top 20 of 2005. They won a Swedish Grammy in 2005.

In 2006 the band announced that a new album is in creation, and is being recorded during beginning/mid 2006, with a release date sometime in 2007. After much uncertainty regarding Messiah's participation, it was in October, 2006 settled that Messiah is out for good. The band has found a new vocalist in the person of Robert Lowe (Solitude Aeturnus) and start to work on the vocal recording for the next album will be made^[1][2] . The next album will be self-produced except for four songs produced by Andy Sneap.^[3] In February - 07 the album title for their new album was revealed. "King of the Grey Islands", and is at the moment aimed for a release June 22nd, 2007.

[edit] Current line-up

• Robert Lowe - Vocals
• Mats Mappe Björkman - rhythm guitar
• Lars Johansson - lead guitars
• Leif Edling - bass
• Jan Lindh - drums

[edit] Former members

• Johann Langquist - vocals (session vocalist for Epicus Doomicus Metallicus)
• Matz Ekström - drums (on Epicus Doomicus Metallicus)
• Tomas Vikström - vocals (on Chapter VI)
• Bjorn Flödkvist - vocals (on the Dactylis/13th era)
• Jejo Perkovic - drums (on the Dactylis/13th era)
• Mats Ståhl - guitars (on From The 13th Sun)
• Carl Westholm - keyboards (on Dactylis Glomerata)
• Michael Amott - guitars (session player on Dactylis Glomerata)
• Ian Haugland - drums (two songs on Dactylis Glomerata)
• Klas Bergwall - guitars (session player on Epicus Doomicus Metallicus)
• Mike Wead - guitars
• Ulf Edelund - guitars (one song on Dactylis Glomerata)
• Patrik Instedt - guitar (three songs on Dactylis Glomerata)
• Messiah Marcolin - vocals

[edit] Discography

[edit] Albums

• Epicus Doomicus Metallicus - 1986
• Nightfall - 1987
• Ancient Dreams - 1988
• Tales of Creation - 1989
• Live - 1990 (live)
• Chapter VI - 1992
• Dactylis Glomerata - 1998
• From the 13th Sun - 1999
• Doomed for Live - Reunion 2002 - 2003 (live double CD)
• Candlemass - 2005
• King of the Grey Islands - 2007

[edit] Singles

• Solitude - 1987
• Samarithan - 1988
• At the Gallows End - 1988
• Under the Oak - 1989
• Assassin of the Light - 2005

[edit] Other releases

• Sjunger Sigge Furst - 1993 (EP)
• As It Is, As It Was - 1994 (compilation)
• Documents of Doom - 2002 (DVD)
• Black Heart of Candlemass - 2002
• Diamonds of Doom - 2003 (limited vinyl LP)
• Essential Doom - 2004
• The Curse of Candlemass - 2005 (DVD)

[edit] References

1. ^ http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=65731
2. ^ http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=65732
3. ^ "Candlemass: 'metal, doom and garlic'", Blabbermouth.net, 2006-10-18. Retrieved on 2006-10-19.

[edit] External links

• Candlemass official webpage
• Candlemass at Discogs
• Candlemass at MusicBrainz