Candlemass (band)
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Candlemass is a Swedish
doom metal Doom metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music that typically uses slower tempos, low-tuned guitars and a much "thicker" or "heavier" sound than other heavy metal genres.K. Kahn-Harris, ''Extreme Metal: Music and Culture on the Edge'' ...
band formed in
Upplands Väsby Upplands Väsby () is a locality and the seat of Upplands Väsby Municipality, Stockholm County, Sweden with 48,907 inhabitants in 2020. History The municipality has a long history with clear traces of settlements from the pre-Christian time ...
, a suburb of
Stockholm Stockholm (; ) is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in Sweden by population, most populous city of Sweden, as well as the List of urban areas in the Nordic countries, largest urban area in the Nordic countries. Approximately ...
, in 1984 by bassist, songwriter, and bandleader
Leif Edling Leif Edling (born 6 August 1963) is a Swedish musician, best known as the bassist, main songwriter and one of the founding members of the doom metal band Candlemass (band), Candlemass. He is the only constant member of the band since its incept ...
, alongside drummer Matz Ekström. The band has had a defining influence on
doom metal Doom metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music that typically uses slower tempos, low-tuned guitars and a much "thicker" or "heavier" sound than other heavy metal genres.K. Kahn-Harris, ''Extreme Metal: Music and Culture on the Edge'' ...
, with the epic doom genre itself taking its name from their debut album ''
Epicus Doomicus Metallicus ''Epicus Doomicus Metallicus'' is the debut studio album by Swedish doom metal band Candlemass, released on 10 June 1986 by Black Dragon Records. On its release, the album had a significantly different sound than other European heavy metal ba ...
''. Along with
Pentagram A pentagram (sometimes known as a pentalpha, pentangle, or star pentagon) is a regular five-pointed star polygon, formed from the diagonal line segments of a convex (or simple, or non-self-intersecting) regular pentagon. Drawing a circle around ...
,
Saint Vitus Vitus (), whose name is sometimes rendered Guy or Guido, was a Christian martyr from Sicily. His surviving hagiography is pure legend. The dates of his actual life are unknown.Basil Watkins, ''The Book of Saints: A Comprehensive Biographical ...
, and Trouble, Candlemass has been recognized as one of the "big four of doom metal".Multiple sources: * * * * After releasing five full-length albums and extensively touring throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, Candlemass disbanded in 1994 but reunited three years later. Following another breakup in 2002, the band reformed in 2004 and has continued to record and perform ever since.


History


Debut with Johan Längqvist and the classic Messiah Marcolin era (1984–1990)

After the breakup of his first band, Nemesis, bassist
Leif Edling Leif Edling (born 6 August 1963) is a Swedish musician, best known as the bassist, main songwriter and one of the founding members of the doom metal band Candlemass (band), Candlemass. He is the only constant member of the band since its incept ...
formed Candlemass, recruiting session vocalist Johan Längqvist, drummer Matz Ekström, guitarist Mats "Mappe" Björkman, and Klas Bergwall. Their debut release, ''
Epicus Doomicus Metallicus ''Epicus Doomicus Metallicus'' is the debut studio album by Swedish doom metal band Candlemass, released on 10 June 1986 by Black Dragon Records. On its release, the album had a significantly different sound than other European heavy metal ba ...
'' (1986), quickly established their reputation, securing their place within metal circles and marking a milestone in the
doom metal Doom metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music that typically uses slower tempos, low-tuned guitars and a much "thicker" or "heavier" sound than other heavy metal genres.K. Kahn-Harris, ''Extreme Metal: Music and Culture on the Edge'' ...
scene. allmusic ((( Candlemass > Biography )))/ref> After the release of their debut album, Längqvist was replaced by Messiah Marcolin. By the time the band entered the studio to record their second album, '' Nightfall'', in 1987, Bergwall and Ekström had left the group. Jan Lindh joined as the new drummer, and Lars Johansson was added on guitars following the completion of the album. Candlemass followed up with ''
Ancient Dreams ''Ancient Dreams'' is the third studio album by Swedish doom metal band Candlemass, released in 1988 and reissued in 2001 by Powerline Records with a bonus CD. The cover art of the album is a painting made by Thomas Cole, second in his series, " ...
'' (1988) and '' Tales of Creation'' (1989). In 1990, they released the live album ''
Live Live may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Films * ''Live!'' (2007 film), 2007 American film * ''Live'' (2014 film), a 2014 Japanese film * ''Live'' (2023 film), a Malayalam-language film *'' Live: Phát Trực Tiếp'', a Vietnamese-langua ...
''. Shortly afterward, internal disputes led to Messiah Marcolin's departure from the band in 1991.


Vikström/Flodqvist albums, hiatus, and first reunion with Marcolin (1991–2003)

After Marcolin's departure, Candlemass recruited vocalist Thomas Vikström and recorded '' Chapter VI'' (1992). The band toured to support the album, but by 1994, Candlemass had disbanded, partly due to the commercial failure of ''Chapter VI'', and partly because Edling had formed a new project,
Abstrakt Algebra Abstrakt Algebra was a Swedish experimental metal band with influences from power metal and doom metal. It was founded by bassist Leif Edling in 1994, shortly after his main project Candlemass split up. They made one album, but Edling had alre ...
. After Abstrakt Algebra failed to gain traction, Edling recruited a new lineup under the Candlemass name and recorded the album ''
Dactylis Glomerata ''Dactylis glomerata'' is a species of flowering plant in the grass family Poaceae, known as cock's-foot,Interactive Flora of NW Europ''Dactylis glomerata'' (Cock's-foot)/ref> also colloquially as orchard grass, or cat grass (due to its populari ...
'', which was a blend of material intended for a new Abstrakt Algebra album and new Candlemass songs. A year later, the album ''
From the 13th Sun ''From the 13th Sun'' is the seventh studio album by Swedish doom metal band Candlemass, released on 6 September 1999 through Music For Nations. The CD liner notes say the album is "dedicated to the greatest band of all time: Black Sabbath". ...
'' was released, both albums featuring vocalist Björn Flodqvist. In 2002, a previous Candlemass lineup reunited and performed several well-received live shows, releasing another live album. Additionally, remastered versions of ''Epicus Doomicus Metallicus'', ''Nightfall'', ''Ancient Dreams'', and ''Tales of Creation'' were issued, alongside a DVD titled ''Documents of Doom''. The band began working on new material and recorded some songs while seeking a record label. However, internal differences resurfaced, leading to Candlemass disbanding again. In the interim, Leif Edling launched a new project,
Krux KRUX (91.5 FM) is one of New Mexico State University's two radio stations, located in Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States. Student-run and operated, it airs an eclectic mix of musical genres. KRUX was the first non-commercial educational FM ...
, featuring former Abstrakt Algebra vocalist
Mats Levén Mats Levén (born 11 September 1964) is a Swedish singer. Some of his most notable collaborations have been with guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen, symphonic metallers Therion and doom metallers Candlemass. In 2011, due to family issues on the part ...
and two members of Entombed.


Second Marcolin reunion (2004–2006)

In November 2004, the band announced their second reunion. They recorded a new album, simply titled ''Candlemass'', with the same lineup, and it was released in May 2005. The album earned them a Swedish Grammy that year. In 2006, the band revealed plans for a new album, slated for release in 2007. However, in October 2006, after ongoing uncertainty surrounding Messiah Marcolin's involvement, it was confirmed that he had left the band for good.


Robert Lowe era (2007–2012)

Candlemass found a new vocalist,
Robert Lowe Robert Lowe, 1st Viscount Sherbrooke, GCB, PC (4 December 1811 – 27 July 1892), British statesman, was a Liberal politician who helped shape British politics in the latter half of the 19th century. He held office under William Ewart Glad ...
( Solitude Aeturnus), who recorded with the band on their ninth album, '' King of the Grey Islands'', released on 22 June 2007. The album was self-produced, except for four songs produced by
Andy Sneap Andy Sneap (born 18 July 1969) is an English guitarist, record producer, and composer with over 100 albums to his name, most of which have been produced at his Backstage Recording studios in rural Derbyshire. Some of the most critically acclaim ...
. In March 2008, Mats "Mappe" Björkman was sentenced to two years in prison for grand theft, having been convicted of stealing over 35,000 CDs and DVDs worth approximately 3 million SEK (around $500,000). Candlemass worked on their tenth studio album in 2008, initially titled ''Hammer of Doom''. However, they later renamed it '' Death Magic Doom'' to avoid conflict with a German festival of the same name. The album was originally scheduled for release on 27 March 2009 but was delayed until 3 April 2009. The band signed with the Austrian label
Napalm Records Napalm Records is an Austrian independent record label focused on heavy metal, hard rock and folk/folk rock/folk metal. Originally, Napalm focused on black metal bands, such as Abigor and Summoning, and folk metal bands, such as Falkenbach a ...
in 2011, who released their eleventh studio album, '' Psalms for the Dead'', in June 2012. Despite this, bassist
Leif Edling Leif Edling (born 6 August 1963) is a Swedish musician, best known as the bassist, main songwriter and one of the founding members of the doom metal band Candlemass (band), Candlemass. He is the only constant member of the band since its incept ...
stated that the band would not split up, but wanted to stop before they "get too old and start putting out half-lame albums."


Mats Levén era (2012–2018)

On 2 June 2012, Candlemass announced via their website that
Robert Lowe Robert Lowe, 1st Viscount Sherbrooke, GCB, PC (4 December 1811 – 27 July 1892), British statesman, was a Liberal politician who helped shape British politics in the latter half of the 19th century. He held office under William Ewart Glad ...
had left the band as vocalist, primarily due to concerns over the quality of live performances. The band described this as "a very difficult decision." Lowe was replaced for the band's upcoming shows by longtime friend and collaborator
Mats Levén Mats Levén (born 11 September 1964) is a Swedish singer. Some of his most notable collaborations have been with guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen, symphonic metallers Therion and doom metallers Candlemass. In 2011, due to family issues on the part ...
, known for his work with
Yngwie Malmsteen Yngwie Johan Malmsteen (; born Lars Johan Yngve Lannerbäck, on 30 June 1963) is a Swedish-American guitarist. He first became known in the 1980s for his neoclassical metal, neoclassical playing style in heavy metal music, heavy metal, and has ...
, Therion, Treat, and At Vance among others. Levén had previously worked with
Leif Edling Leif Edling (born 6 August 1963) is a Swedish musician, best known as the bassist, main songwriter and one of the founding members of the doom metal band Candlemass (band), Candlemass. He is the only constant member of the band since its incept ...
in
Abstrakt Algebra Abstrakt Algebra was a Swedish experimental metal band with influences from power metal and doom metal. It was founded by bassist Leif Edling in 1994, shortly after his main project Candlemass split up. They made one album, but Edling had alre ...
and
Krux KRUX (91.5 FM) is one of New Mexico State University's two radio stations, located in Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States. Student-run and operated, it airs an eclectic mix of musical genres. KRUX was the first non-commercial educational FM ...
and had contributed vocals on demos for the '' Candlemass'' and '' King of the Grey Islands'' sessions, which are included in the box set '' Doomology''. Additionally, keyboardist
Per Wiberg Per Jonas Wiberg (born 8 June 1968) is a Swedes, Swedish musician who has been a member of the bands Spiritual Beggars (1998-) as a keyboardist, ''King Hobo'' (2007-) as a keyboardist, guitarist, and vocalist, and Kamchatka (band), Kamchatka (2 ...
(formerly of
Opeth Opeth is a Swedish progressive metal band from Stockholm, formed in 1990. The band incorporates folk music, folk, blues, classical music, classical, and jazz elements into its usually lengthy compositions, as well as strong influences from deat ...
and Spiritual Beggars) joined the band on stage for these live performances. In January 2013, Candlemass was voted the greatest Swedish hard rock/metal band of all time by the writers of ''Sweden Rock Magazine''. They were featured in a list of the 100 greatest Swedish hard rock/metal bands of all time in a jubilee edition celebrating the magazine's 100th issue. It was also revealed that Candlemass, along with death metal band Entombed (ranked No. 2 on the list), would perform together at a special jubilee concert in Stockholm, arranged by the magazine. Despite earlier claims that ''Psalms for the Dead'' would be their final album, bassist
Leif Edling Leif Edling (born 6 August 1963) is a Swedish musician, best known as the bassist, main songwriter and one of the founding members of the doom metal band Candlemass (band), Candlemass. He is the only constant member of the band since its incept ...
later indicated that he was open to recording new music with Candlemass. To coincide with the 30th anniversary of ''
Epicus Doomicus Metallicus ''Epicus Doomicus Metallicus'' is the debut studio album by Swedish doom metal band Candlemass, released on 10 June 1986 by Black Dragon Records. On its release, the album had a significantly different sound than other European heavy metal ba ...
'', Candlemass released the EP ''Death Thy Lover'' on 3 June 2016. Additionally, on 29 April 2016, the band released a career-spanning coffee-table book. The book also included two CDs featuring top picks by Leif Edling and Messiah Marcolin, a CD with rare tracks from their early career (including the ''Witchcraft'' demo), and two DVDs with three live performances.


Reunion with Johan Längqvist (2018–present)

On 3 September 2018, Candlemass announced the return of Längqvist to the band after a 32-year hiatus. The band stated, "We wanted to find our way back to the roots of Candlemass, back to the soul and essence of the band. Johan Längqvist is back, and we hope this will give us some new energy and kickstart the heart of doom again. We don't know if it will last 10 more years or even 5, but if it will give us just another year of having fun and playing the music that we love so much, it will be a blast! The circle is closed; Johan is back!" The band also announced that they were recording a new album for a 2019 release, making it not only the first Candlemass studio album since 2012's '' Psalms for the Dead'', but their first with Längqvist since 1986's ''
Epicus Doomicus Metallicus ''Epicus Doomicus Metallicus'' is the debut studio album by Swedish doom metal band Candlemass, released on 10 June 1986 by Black Dragon Records. On its release, the album had a significantly different sound than other European heavy metal ba ...
''. On 6 December 2018, Candlemass announced that their twelfth album would be titled '' The Door to Doom'' and would be released on 22 February 2019. It was also revealed that the album would feature a guest appearance by
Black Sabbath Black Sabbath are an English rock band formed in Birmingham in 1968 by guitarist Tony Iommi, drummer Bill Ward (musician), Bill Ward, bassist Geezer Butler, and vocalist Ozzy Osbourne. After adopting the Black Sabbath name in 1969 (the band ...
's
Tony Iommi Anthony Frank Iommi Jr. (born 19 February 1948) is an English musician. He co-founded the pioneering Heavy metal music, heavy metal band Black Sabbath, and was the band's guitarist, leader, primary composer, and sole continuous member for over ...
, who contributes a guitar solo to one of the album's tracks, "Astorolus – The Great Octopus". The band released an EP, ''The Pendulum'', on 27 March 2020. Shortly after its release,
Leif Edling Leif Edling (born 6 August 1963) is a Swedish musician, best known as the bassist, main songwriter and one of the founding members of the doom metal band Candlemass (band), Candlemass. He is the only constant member of the band since its incept ...
said that Candlemass was unlikely to release their next studio album until 2022 or 2023. On 18 August 2022, the band announced their thirteenth studio album, ''Sweet Evil Sun'', and the album's first single, "Scandinavian Gods", was released on the same day. The album was released on 18 November. Candlemass released an EP, titled ''Black Star'', on 9 May 2025, and its only single "Black Star" one month prior. The band will reunite with former singer Messiah Marcolin for the first time in nineteen years at the Rock Hard Festival in
Athens Athens ( ) is the Capital city, capital and List of cities and towns in Greece, largest city of Greece. A significant coastal urban area in the Mediterranean, Athens is also the capital of the Attica (region), Attica region and is the southe ...
, Greece on 12-13 September 2025; Edling has stated that this will be a one-off show: "No recordings, no tours, nothing more, just one show."


Style and influences

Candlemass is considered a
doom metal Doom metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music that typically uses slower tempos, low-tuned guitars and a much "thicker" or "heavier" sound than other heavy metal genres.K. Kahn-Harris, ''Extreme Metal: Music and Culture on the Edge'' ...
band with a sound described as exhibiting "
dirge A dirge () is a somber song or lament expressing mourning or grief, such as may be appropriate for performance at a funeral. Often taking the form of a brief hymn, dirges are typically shorter and less meditative than elegy, elegies. Dirges are of ...
-like, sustain-laden guitar riffing". Candlemass' musical style is significantly influenced by early
Black Sabbath Black Sabbath are an English rock band formed in Birmingham in 1968 by guitarist Tony Iommi, drummer Bill Ward (musician), Bill Ward, bassist Geezer Butler, and vocalist Ozzy Osbourne. After adopting the Black Sabbath name in 1969 (the band ...
. Edling, the band's main songwriter and sole constant member, has drawn inspiration from Black Sabbath, as well as from bands such as
Blue Öyster Cult Blue Öyster Cult ( ; sometimes abbreviated BÖC or BOC) is an American rock band formed on Long Island, New York, in the hamlet of Stony Brook, in 1967. They have sold 25 million records worldwide, including 7 million in the United States. ...
,
Mercyful Fate Mercyful Fate is a Danish heavy metal band from Copenhagen, formed in 1981 by vocalist King Diamond and guitarist Hank Shermann. Influenced by progressive rock and hard rock, and with lyrics dealing with LaVeyan Satanism (often with ironic ...
/
King Diamond Kim Bendix Petersen (born 14 June 1956), better known by his stage name King Diamond, is a Danish rock musician. As a vocalist, he is known for his powerful and wide-ranging countertenor singing voice, in particular his far-reaching falsetto s ...
,
Bachman–Turner Overdrive Bachman–Turner Overdrive, often abbreviated BTO, is a Canadian rock band from Winnipeg, Manitoba, founded by three brothers: Randy Bachman, Randy, Robbie Bachman, Robbie, and Tim Bachman; along with Fred Turner (musician), Fred Turner, in 19 ...
, Rush,
Nazareth Nazareth is the largest Cities in Israel, city in the Northern District (Israel), Northern District of Israel. In its population was . Known as "the Arab capital of Israel", Nazareth serves as a cultural, political, religious, economic and ...
,
the Jimi Hendrix Experience James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix (born Johnny Allen Hendrix; November 27, 1942September 18, 1970) was an American singer-songwriter and musician. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential guitarists of all time. Inducted ...
,
Judas Priest Judas Priest are an English heavy metal band formed in Birmingham in 1969. They have sold over 50 million albums and are frequently ranked as one of the greatest metal bands of all time. Judas Priest have also been referred to as one of the p ...
,
Motörhead Motörhead () were an English rock music, rock band formed in London in 1975 by bassist and lead vocalist Lemmy Kilmister, guitarist Larry Wallis and drummer Lucas Fox. Kilmister was the primary songwriter and only constant member. The band a ...
, and
Venom Venom or zootoxin is a type of toxin produced by an animal that is actively delivered through a wound by means of a bite, sting, or similar action. The toxin is delivered through a specially evolved ''venom apparatus'', such as fangs or a sti ...
.


Legacy

Candlemass are considered pioneers of the
doom metal Doom metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music that typically uses slower tempos, low-tuned guitars and a much "thicker" or "heavier" sound than other heavy metal genres.K. Kahn-Harris, ''Extreme Metal: Music and Culture on the Edge'' ...
subgenre of heavy metal, and the group's 1986 debut album ''
Epicus Doomicus Metallicus ''Epicus Doomicus Metallicus'' is the debut studio album by Swedish doom metal band Candlemass, released on 10 June 1986 by Black Dragon Records. On its release, the album had a significantly different sound than other European heavy metal ba ...
'' played a part in coining the genre's name. Eduardo Rivadavia of
AllMusic AllMusic (previously known as All-Music Guide and AMG) is an American online database, online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on Musical artist, musicians and Mus ...
said Candlemass "helped reintroduce the lumbering power chords of Black Sabbath to an entire generation of post-
New Wave of British Heavy Metal The new wave of British heavy metal (often abbreviated as NWOBHM) was a nationwide musical movement that began in England in the mid-1970s and achieved international attention by the early 1980s. Editor Alan Lewis (music journalist), Alan Lew ...
and post- thrash metalheads, almost single-handedly writing the handbook for the modern doom metal movement in the process." The band is cited as one of doom metal's "big four", along with American bands
Pentagram A pentagram (sometimes known as a pentalpha, pentangle, or star pentagon) is a regular five-pointed star polygon, formed from the diagonal line segments of a convex (or simple, or non-self-intersecting) regular pentagon. Drawing a circle around ...
,
Saint Vitus Vitus (), whose name is sometimes rendered Guy or Guido, was a Christian martyr from Sicily. His surviving hagiography is pure legend. The dates of his actual life are unknown.Basil Watkins, ''The Book of Saints: A Comprehensive Biographical ...
and Trouble.


Band members

Current members *
Leif Edling Leif Edling (born 6 August 1963) is a Swedish musician, best known as the bassist, main songwriter and one of the founding members of the doom metal band Candlemass (band), Candlemass. He is the only constant member of the band since its incept ...
– bass , vocals * Mats "Mappe" Björkman – rhythm guitar * Johan Längqvist – vocals * Lars Johansson – lead guitar * Jan Lindh – drums


Discography


Studio albums


Live albums

* ''
Live Live may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Films * ''Live!'' (2007 film), 2007 American film * ''Live'' (2014 film), a 2014 Japanese film * ''Live'' (2023 film), a Malayalam-language film *'' Live: Phát Trực Tiếp'', a Vietnamese-langua ...
'' (1990) * '' Doomed for Live – Reunion 2002'' (2002) * ''No Sleep 'til Athens'' (2010) * ''Ashes to Ashes'' (2010) * ''Epicus Doomicus Metallicus – Live at Roadburn 2011'' (2013) * ''Live at the Marquee 1988'' (2013) * ''Dynamo Doom'' (2019)


Compilation albums

* '' The Best of Candlemass: 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) * ''Introducing'' (2013) (career-spanning album) * ''Behind the Wall of Doom'' (2016)


Box sets

* '' Doomology'' (2010)


EPs and singles

* ''Samarithan'' (1988) * ''At the Gallows End'' (1988) * ''Sjunger Sigge Fürst'' (1993) * ''Wiz'' (1998) * ''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) * ''If I Ever Die'' (2009) * ''Don't Fear the Reaper'' (2010) * ''Dancing in the Temple of the Mad Queen Bee'' (13 April 2012) * ''Candlemass vs. Entombed'' (Limited edition CD, recorded for Sweden Rock Magazine's 100th issue) * ''Death Thy Lover'' (2016) * ''Dark Are the Veils of Death'' (2017) * ''House of Doom'' (2018) * ''The Pendulum'' (2020) * ''Black Star'' (2025)


Demos

* ''Witchcraft'' (1984) * ''Second demo'' (1984) * ''Tales of Creation'' (1985) * ''Demo with Marcolin'' (1987)


DVDs

* ''Documents of Doom'' (2002) * ''The Curse of Candlemass'' (2005) * ''Candlemass 20 Year Anniversary'' (2007) * ''Ashes to Ashes Live'' (2010)


References


External links


Candlemass official website
* * * {{Authority control Swedish doom metal musical groups Musical groups established in 1984 Swedish musical quintets Nuclear Blast artists Napalm Records artists Metal Blade Records artists Articles which contain graphical timelines Swedish heavy metal musical groups Musical groups from Stockholm County 1980s establishments in Stockholm County 1984 establishments in Sweden Upplands Väsby Municipality