Candlemass
Formed: 1985
From:
Stockholm,
Sweden
Last Known Status: Regrouped
Background
After Leif Edling dissolved the band Nemesis, he started his own band under the name Candlemass. The first Candlemass album was Epicus Doomicus Metallicus, released in 1986 and now considered a milestone in the doom metal scene.
The next release was Nightfall (1987), considered by some as one of the greatest doom metal albums ever.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,and Tales of Creation (1989), where the band moved beyond the edges of classic doom metal and made its touch to progressive metal. This album is distinguished from previous releases by adding some speed-up patterns into the band's original sound, usually used in progressive metal. In 1990, a live album was released. Shortly afterwards, a dispute between the band members resulted in Messiah Marcolin's decision to leave.
After the departure of Marcolin, Candlemass recruited vocalist Thomas Vikström and recorded Chapter VI (1992). Candlemass then disbanded, partly because the album was unsuccessful [citation needed] and partially 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 Doomicus Metallicus, 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,[4] 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 was in preparation, to be released sometime in 2007. After much uncertainty regarding Messiah's participation, in October 2006 it was settled that Messiah was out for good. The band found a new vocalist in the person of Robert Lowe (Solitude Aeturnus)[5][6] who recorded the band's new album King of the Grey Islands, released on June 22, 2007. The new album is self-produced except for four songs produced by Andy Sneap.
Current Lineup:
* Robert Lowe - Vocals
* Mats Mappe Björkman - rhythm guitar
* Lars Johansson - lead guitars
* Leif Edling - bass
* Jan Lindh - drums
Latest Candlemass News
Below is our complete Candlemass news coverage, including columns and articles pertaining to the band. Some articles listed may be indirectly related, such as side projects of the band members, etc.
Note: We began associating news directly with bands in late 2003. Therefore, earlier band news may not be listed on this page.
Displaying records 41 - 60 of 108 1 2 3 4 5 6 Last
Candlemass Cancels Albuquerque Show
Candlemass have been forced to cancel their show tomorrow (June 4th) in Albuquerque, New Mexico at The Launchpad due to a fire at the club. No details have been given how the fire started or how serious it is and no word yet if the show will be rescheduled.
Candlemass will re-release the albums "From The 13th Sun" and "Live" which will include bonus tracks.
Candlemass Announce Various Release Dates
Candlemass' upcoming "Lucifer Rising" EP will reportedly be recorded in April with a scheduled September release through Nuclear Blast. The EP features a whole bunch of live tracks from their previous tour, plus two brand new tracks - "Lucifer Rising" and "The White God". The band has also announced that a brand new album will be recorded in Autumn for an estimated release in Spring, 2009. On top of that, Candlemass are going to re-release the following albums this year, on Snapper/Peaceville:
Chapter VI (1992): 31st March
Dactylis Glomerata (1998) + Abstrakt Algebra 2: 26th May
From the 13th Sun (1999) (bonus tracks "Oil", "Nimis", "Rock'n'roll"): 23rd June
Live (1990) (bonus cd audio disc Dynamo Open Air 88): 11th August
Candlemass Announce More US Tour Dates
Swedish doom metal merchants, CANDLEMASS, are preparing to embark on their first US tour in 17 years. This is will also mark the bands first time performing in the States with vocalist and Texas native Robert Lowe, also of SOLITUDE AETURNUS fame. Bassist and founding member Leif Edling could barley contain his excitment when asked about finally returning to North America:
”Last time we were over was in 1991 and that’s way too long! We wanna make this tour a very special event for all our fans in the States and all new American fans of doom and metal too. It will be great to meet up and hang out, and play all the classic C-mass songs for you guys plus some new ones of course. We’ve been waiting 17 years for this so make sure you don’t miss this opportunity to catch the Kings of Doom in your hometown! See ya soon in a city near you!”
Here are the confirmed Candlemass tour dates with Daylight Dies as support:
05/19 Jaxx – W. Springfield, VA
05/20 BB King Blues Club – New York City, NY
05/22 Starland Ballroom – Sayreville, NJ
05/23 Peabody’s – Cleveland, OH
05/24 The Pearl Room – Mokena, IL
05/25 Station 4 – St. Paul, MN
05/28 Studio Seven – Seattle, WA
05/29 Hawthorne Theatre – Portland, OR
05/30 Slim’s – San Francisco, CA
05/31 The Jumping Turtle – San Marcos, CA
06/01 Whisky A Go Go – Hollywood, CA
06/03 Brickhouse – Phoenix, AZ
06/04 Launchpad – Albuquerque, NM
06/05 Scout Bar – San Antonio, TX
06/06 Scout Bar – Houston, TX
06/07 Ridglea Theater – Fort Worth, TX
06/08 The Muse – Nashville, TN
CANDLEMASS' new album, "King of the Grey Islands", was released June 22 of 2007 via Nuclear Blast Records. The album is the first to feature vocalist Robert Lowe (SOLITUDE AETURNUS), a welcome replacement to former frontman Messiah Marcolin.
Withersoul To Open for Candlemass In Virginia
Virginia metallers, Withersoul, announce the following upcoming shows:
4/19 - Williamsburg, Virginia - William & Mary Metalfest w/ A LIFE ONCE LOST & Immortal Avenger
5/10 - Richmond, VA, Virginia - VMA gig with Behelmod @ Rocks
5/19 - Springfield, Virginia - Jaxx w/ CANDLEMASS, Daylight Dies, Twisted Tower Dire
Krux Announce Live Tour Dates
KRUX, the Swedish doom band featuring CANDLEMASS mainman/bassist Leif Edling, ex-YNGWIE MALMSTEEN/THERION singer Mats Levén, ex-ENTOMBED drummer Peter Stjärnvind, guitarist Jörgen Sandstrom (THE PROJECT HATE, ex-ENTOMBED/GRAVE), guitarist Fredrik Åkesson (ex-ARCH ENEMY) and keyboardist Carl Westholm, have issued the following update:
"Krux will play the classic Inferno Festival in Oslo, Norway on March 21st. Showtime is 8 PM and headliners that evening is SATYRICON. No doubt there will be a brutally cool long Friday at the Rockefeller venue."
"A few days later Krux plays in Stockholm on March 25. Venue is Club 44 and it's an all ages evening. No alcohol is served but the bill is really good. Krux headlines before TAINT and KEN MODE, two really cool British metal bands."
"Tickets are 80 kr. Be there!!"
Mustasch Gets "Best Hard Rock" Grammis Award
Swedish act Mustasch has been honored with the “Best Hard Rock” Grammis award, the Swedish version of the Grammy Awards, for its album “Latest Version of the Truth.”
The Gothenberg-based quartet was presented with the award by Motorhead drummer Mikkey Dee at the awards ceremony on January 9 at Globen in Stockholm. Mustasch beat out tough competition in veteran bands like Candlemass, Clawfinger, Entombed, and Arch Enemy.
“It felt a lot more emotional and fantastic than we initially thought,” said vocalist/lead guitarist Ralf Gyllenhammar. “Before the Grammys we thought of it more as an industry meet or a public event where it doesn’t really affect us personally if we win or loose, but when Mikkey Dee announced us as winners it was almost like a blackout of joy! Can hardly remember what was said in the speech.”
A clip from the event is available on YouTube and embedded below. More...
Daylight Dies Post New Studio Video Online
Raleigh-based metallers DAYLIGHT DIES have issued the following update:
"Progress continues to be brisk in our recording of Lost To The Living. The drums, acoustic guitars and rhythm guitars are now completely done. Everyone is taking a short break for the holidays and will be ready to take on the layers of lead, clean and solo guitars in the start of the new year. We've posted another short video and a few pictures from us fooling around in the studio the past couple weeks."
"Tour dates continue to trickle in for our May/June 2008 tour with CANDLEMASS. Dates in San Francisco and Houston are now added with more to follow. Advanced tickets can be purchased here." More...
Former Candlemass Singer Performs With Therion
Former CANDLEMASS singer Messiah Marcolin joined THERION on stage in London, England on Sunday, December 16. Messiah sang on THERION's "Kali Youga" trilogy and performed a duet with Snowy Shaw at the end of the show on MERCYFUL FATE's "Black Funeral".
The full setlist was as follows:
01. Rise Of Sodom & Gomorrah
02. Son Of The Sun
03. Midgard
04. Asgard
05. Wine Of Aluqah
06. Wisdom & The Cage
07. Kali Yuga I
08. Kali Yuga II
09. Kali Yuga III
10. Lemuria
11. Via Nocturna
12. An Arrow From The Sun
13. Typhon
14. Ginnungagap
15. Preludium (Intro)
16. To Mega Therion
17. Cults Of The Shadow
18. In The Desert Of Set
19. Interludium
20. Nightside Of Eden
21. Opus Eclipse
22. Invocation Of Naamah
23. The Siren Of The Woods
24. Grand Finale / Postludium
25. Adulruna Rediviva
26. Black Funeral
27. Summernight City
Watch fan-filmed video footage of Messiah Marcolin performing the "Kali Youga" trilogy with THERION in London on Sunday, December 16, 2007:
More...
Candlemass Announce More North American Dates
Legendary Swedish doomsters CANDLEMASS have confirmed the following U.S. dates:
May 19 - Springfield, VA @ Jaxx
May 20 - New York, NY @ B.B. King Blues
May 22 - Sayreville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom
May 23 - Cleveland, OH @ Peabody’s
May 24 - Mokena, IL @ The Pearl Room
May 25 - St. Paul, MN @ Station 4
May 28 - Seattle, WA @ Studio Seven
May 29 - Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theatre
May 30 - San Francisco, CA @ Slim's
May 31 - Santa Ana, CA @ Galaxy Theater
Jun. 01 - West Hollywood, CA @ Whisky a Go Go
Jun. 06 - Houston, TX @ Scout Bar
Jun. 07 - Fort Worth, TX @ Ridglea Theater
Support on the trek will come from DAYLIGHT DIES.
Tickets are on sale exclusively through EnterTheVault.com until December 20 at which point they become available through all ticketing systems.
CANDLEMASS filmed its 20th anniversary concert on March 31, 2007 at Stockholm's Kolingsborg for a DVD, "20 Year Anniversary Party", which was released on October 22 via Snapper/Peaceville. CANDLEMASS performed with no less than seven (!) different vocalists — including the band's former singers Johan Langquist and Tomas Vikström, plus the group's latest addition, Robert Lowe of SOLITUDE AETURNUS. In addition to the concert footage, the DVD includes interviews with all the vocalists from that evening as extra material.
Candlemass, Daylight Dies Announce More Dates
Legendary Swedish doomsters CANDLEMASS have confirmed the following U.S. dates:
May 19 - Springfield, VA @ Jaxx
May 20 - New York, NY @ B.B. King Blues
May 22 - Sayreville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom
May 23 - Cleveland, OH @ Peabody’s
May 24 - Mokena, IL @ The Pearl Room
May 25 - St Paul, MN @ Station 4
May 28 - Seattle, WA @ Studio Seven
May 29 - Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theatre
May 30 - San Francisco, CA @ Slim’s
Jun. 07 - Fort Worth, TX @ Ridglea Theater
Support on the trek will come from DAYLIGHT DIES.
Tickets are on sale exclusively through EnterTheVault.com until December 20 at which point they become available through all ticketing systems.
Fan-filmed video footage of CANDLEMASS performing the song "Emperor of the Void" on September 26, 2007 in Stockholm, Sweden can be viewed below.
CANDLEMASS filmed its 20th anniversary concert on March 31, 2007 at Stockholm's Kolingsborg for a DVD, "20 Year Anniversary Party", which was released on October 22 via Snapper/Peaceville. CANDLEMASS performed with no less than seven (!) different vocalists — including the band's former singers Johan Langquist and Tomas Vikström, plus the group's latest addition, Robert Lowe of SOLITUDE AETURNUS. In addition to the concert footage, the DVD includes interviews with all the vocalists from that evening as extra material.
Arch Enemy And More Nominated For Swedish Awards
ARCH ENEMY, CANDLEMASS, ENTOMBED, CRASHDIET and HARDCORE SUPERSTAR are among the artists that are competing for the "Best Hard Rock" honor at the Swedish "Grammis" awards, which will be held January 9, 2008 at Globen in Stockholm. The bands have each been nominated for their most recent releases, all of which came out during 2007. The nominees are as follows:
ARCH ENEMY - Rise Of The Tyrant
CANDLEMASS - King Of The Grey Islands
CLAWFINGER - Life Will kill You
CRASHDIET - The Unattractive Revolution
DARK TRANQUILLITY - Fiction
ENTOMBED - Serpent Saints
HARDCORE SUPERSTAR - Dreamin' In A Casket
LILLASYSTER - Hjärndöd Musik Till En Hjärndöd Genaration
MUSTASCH - Latest Version Of The Truth
TAKIDA - Bury The Lies
Last year's "Grammis" award in the "Best Hard Rock" category was won by IN FLAMES for their "Come Clarity" CD.
In accepting the award, IN FLAMES frontman Anders Fridén asked the audience to get up on their feet.
"This is the third time IN FLAMES have won a [Swedish] Grammy and it feels extremely good," he said and joked: "Thanks a lot to the Swedish people, [distributor] Sound Pollution and all you people sitting down!"
Candlemass, Daylight Dies Announce U.S. Dates
Legendary Swedish doomsters CANDLEMASS have confirmed the following U.S. dates:
May 19 - West Springfield, VA @ Jaxx
May 20 - New York City, NY @ B.B. King Blues Club & Grill
May 22 - Sayreville, NJ @ Starland Ballroom
May 23 - Cleveland, OH @ Peabody's
May 24 - Mokena, IL @ The Pearl Room
May 25 - St Paul, MN @ Station 4
May 28 - Seattle, WA @ Studio Seven
May 29 - Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theatre
May 30 - San Francisco, CA @ Slim's
More shows will be added.
Support on the trek will come from DAYLIGHT DIES.
Tickets are on sale exclusively through EnterTheVault.com until December 20 at which point they become available through all ticketing systems.
CANDLEMASS filmed its 20th anniversary concert on March 31, 2007 at Stockholm's Kolingsborg for a DVD, "20 Year Anniversary Party", which was released on October 22 via Snapper/Peaceville. CANDLEMASS performed with no less than seven (!) different vocalists — including the band's former singers Johan Langquist and Tomas Vikström, plus the group's latest addition, Robert Lowe of SOLITUDE AETURNUS. In addition to the concert footage, the DVD includes interviews with all the vocalists from that evening as extra material.
Candlemass Reveal First Dates Of U.S. Tour
Swedish metallers CANDLEMASS will tour North American next spring with DAYLIGHT DIES.
The first confirmed dates for the trek include:
May
19 - Springfield, VA - Jaxx
20 - New York, NY - B.B. King Blues Club
Snapper Music/Peaceville Records issued Candlemass' 20 Year Anniversary Party DVD on October 22nd.
The DVD includes band interviews and a whole load of additional footage, coming in at over 3 hours of top doom metal from this most celebrated of acts.
Tracklisting: 'The Dying Illusion', 'Dark Are The Veils Of Death', 'Where The Runes Still Speak', 'Ebony Throne', 'Well Of Souls', 'Black Dwarf', 'At The Gallows End', 'Demonia 6', 'Samarithan', 'Mirror Mirror', 'Crystal Ball', 'Demons Gate', 'Under The Oak', 'A Sorcerers Pledge', 'Witches', 'Bullfest', 'Solitude'.
Extras: 50 minute special with backstage footage and interviews.
Candlemass Release First North American Tour Date
Sweden’s CANDLEMASS will hit the road for a North American tour during the Spring with DAYLIGHT DIES. The first date to be released is as follows:
May 20 - New York, NY @ B.B. King Blues Club
"20 Years Of Nuclear Blast" Trailer Posted Online
A three-minute trailer for the forthcoming "20 Years of Nuclear Blast" two-DVD set can be viewed below. Due on November 30 via Nuclear Blast, the collection — as the title implies — celebrates the 20th anniversary of the German metal label, featuring two DVDs with almost six hours' worth of footage, including 70 promotional clips and a four-part history of the label hosted by DESTRUCTION bassist/vocalist Marcel "Schmier" Schirmer.
The following clips can be found on the "20 Years of Nuclear Blast" two-DVD set:
01. DIMMU BORGIR - Progenies Of The Great Apocalypse
02. IMMORTAL - One By One
03. HYPOCRISY - Scrutinized
04. GOREFEST - The Glorious Dead
05. KATAKLYSM - Manipulator Of Souls
06. BENEDICTION - I Bow To None
07. PUNGENT STENCH - Shrunken And Mumified Bitch
08. BELPHEGOR - Sanctus Perversum
09. NILE - The Language Of The Shadows
10. DEATH - Scavenger Of Human Sorrow
11. MALEVOLENT CREATION - Assasin Squad
12. DESTRUCTION - The Butcher Strikes Back
13. DEW SCENTED - Cities Of The Dead
14. ANTHRAX - What Doesn’t Die
15. EXODUS - Riot Act
16. DEATH ANGEL - The Devil Incarnate
17. I - Warriors
18. SONIC SYNDICATE - Psychic Suicide
19. CLAWFINGER - The Price We Pay
20. CHIMAIRA - Worthless
21. IN FLAMES - Only For The Weak
22. MESHUGGAH - Future Breed Machine
23. SOILWORK - Exile
24. THE DESTINY PROGRAM - Project Hoax
25. SCAR SYMMETRY - The Illusionist
26. THREAT SIGNAL - Counterbalance
27. MNEMIC - Ghost
28. EKTOMORF - Destroy
29. AGNOSTIC FRONT - Warriors
30. ALL SHALL PERISH - Eradication
31. BLEED THE SKY - God In The Frame
32. DARKANE - Solitary Confinement
33. THE DUSKFALL - Trust Is Overrated
34. ONE MAN ARMY AND THE UNDEAD QUARTET - So Grim, So True, So Real
35. WINTERSUN - Winter Madness
36. HAMMERFALL - Hammerfall
37. RIDE THE SKY - New Protection
38. EDGUY - King Of Fools
39. BLIND GUARDIAN - The New Order
40. SONATA ARCTICA - Caleb
41. GOTTHARD - Master Of Illusion
42. RAGE - Full Moon
43. GRAVE DIGGER - Valhalla
44. HELLOWEEN - Immortal
45. STRATOVARIUS - Why Are We Here
46. TAROT - Before The Skies Comes Down
47. THUNDERSTONE - Face In The Mirror
48. COMMUNIC - Conspiracy In Mind
49. THRESHOLD - Slipstream
50. CANDLEMASS - Of Stars And Smoke
51. CATHEDRAL - Corpsecycle
52. NIGHTWISH - Eva
53. AFTER FOREVER - Transitory
54. EPICA - Never Enough
55. ECHOES OF ETERNITY - Voices In A Dream
56. SIRENIA - The Other Side
57. DEATHSTARS - Greatest Fight On Earth
58. SAMAEL - Valkyrie’s New Ride
59. THE KOVENANT - In The Name Of The Future
60. AMORPHIS - The White Swan
61. THERION - Der Mitternachtslöwe
62. CREMATORY - Revolution
63. FARMER BOYS - For The World To Sing
64. PYOGENESIS - Addiction Pole
65. LIQUIDO - Ordinary Life
66. CHROME DIVISION - Serial Killer
67. DIE APOKALYPTISCHEN REITER - Riders On The Storm
68. SUBWAY TO SALLY - Meine Seele Brennt
69. KNORKATOR - Wir werden alle sterben
70. SUCH A SURGE - Mission Erfüllt More...
Candlemass To Re-Release Album
CANDLEMASS' "From the 13th Sun" album, which came out in 1999 and featured mainman/bassist Leif Edling alongside a collection of mostly unknown (outside Sweden) musicians, will be re-released on vinyl via Black Lodge Records. The new LP contains the entire original album plus three extra tracks: "The Odessa Chamber", "Sokrates" and "John the Leper". The bonus songs were culled from demos but due to poor tape quality, they have been re-recorded by Jejo Percovic (drums), Leif Edling, Mats Stahl (guitar) and Björn Flodquist (vocals).
CANDLEMASS filmed its 20th anniversary concert on March 31, 2007 at Stockholm's Kolingsborg for an upcoming DVD, tentatively due in October/November via Snapper/Peaceville. CANDLEMASS performed with no less than seven (!) different vocalists — including the band's former singers Johan Langquist and Tomas Vikström, plus the group's latest addition, Robert Lowe of SOLITUDE AETURNUS.
The complete list of vocalists that performed with the band is as follows:
Johan Langquist (ex-CANDLEMASS)
Tomas Vikström (ex-CANDLEMASS)
Mikael Åkerfeldt (OPETH)
Mats Levén (KRUX, THERION, ex-YNGWIE MALMSTEEN)
Robert Lowe (CANDLEMASS, SOLITUDE AETURNUS)
Tony Martin (ex-BLACK SABBATH)
Janne Christoffersson (GRAND MAGUS, SPIRITUAL BEGGARS)
In addition to the concert footage, the DVD will include interviews with all the vocalists from that evening as extra material.
Candlemass Confirm More Support Acts
CANDLEMASS have confirmed more opening acts on their upcoming tour in support of their new album, King Of The Grey Islands. Their updated schedule is as follows:
August
31 - Malmoe, Sweden - K.B.
September
1 - Copenhagen, Denmark - The Rock (with SATURNUS)
2 - Hamburg, Germany - Markthalle *
3 - Berlin, Germany - Kato *
4 - Nurenberg, Germany - Hirsch *
6 - Essen, Germany - Turock *
7 - Eindhoven, Holland - Dynamo *
8 - Würzburg, Germany - Soundpark Ost
9 - Rijssen, Holland - Lucky ***
11 - Leeds, UK - Rio's **
12 - London, UK - Dingwalls **
14 - Antwerp, Belgium - Trix (with SERPENTCULT)
15 - Pratteln, Switzerland - Z7 *
16 - Milano, Italy - Transilvania
19 - Budapest, Hungary - A 38 (with STEREOCHRIST)
20 - Krakow, Poland - Studio (with CEMETARY OF SCREAM)
22 - Flensburg, Germany - Roxy (with STRONGHOLDE)
23 - Göteborg, Sweden - Sticky FIngers
24 - Linköping, SwedenvAtmosfär
26 - Stockholm, Sweden - Klubben
29 - Thessaloniki, Greece - Idrogios
30 - Athens, Greece - Gagarin 205
* support from POWERWOLF
** support from CENTURIONS GHOST, BATTERED
*** support from AGENT STEEL, VICIOUS RUMORS, AFTER ALL, OFFICIUM TRISTE, INHUME
Candlemass Bassist Talks New Album And Vocalist
Chad Bowar from About Heavy Metal recently conducted an interview with CANDLEMASS bassist Leif Edling. Here are some extracts from the conversation:
Chad Bowar: Are you looking forward to having the album ("King Of The Grey Islands") released and moving forward again?
Leif Edling: "Yes. We just want to get out there and play now. We haven't played for 18 months, and that's really what we want to do. That's what it is all about."
Chad Bowar: How far along with the album were you when you found out Messiah (Marcolin) was leaving?
Leif Edling: "The album was recorded last May, over a year ago. Messiah left in April last year. In October we hoped that he would still finish the album."
Chad Bowar: You searched the world for new vocalist.
Leif Edling: "We listened to over 80 singers. It was quite a big search. We listened to 30 guys from Sweden and about 50 guys from Europe and America. We took three months for the search before we got in touch with Robert (Lowe - SOLITUDE AETURNUS)."
Chad Bowar: What was it about Robert that attracted you to him?
Leif Edling: "We've always known about him and always liked his voice since the first SOLITUDE AETURNUS albums. We liked the fact that he has this classic Metal voice, but he's also very emotional in his style of singing. He was perfect for CANDLEMASS, and when we listened to the new album it was quite obvious that he might be the one. When he put his voice on the record and did the new songs, he really blew us away. When we listen to him on this record I think it's pretty obvious that he is the right choice."
Chad Bowar: Do you have any concerns about him being in another band at the same time?
Leif Edling: "No, not at all. We are in contact with SOLITUDE AETURNUS. I'm pretty sure we can solve anything. They are not super active right now. If they want to do an album next year, we can lay low while they do that. I don't think we will have a problem. It is a long way to Sweden from America, but Robert is willing to travel and he is really easy to work with."
Chad Bowar: The music on the new album seems heavier and more dynamic. Would you agree?
Leif Edling: "Yes, I guess so. It is a natural progression from the previous album and I think it's a little bit heavier. It's a little more complex, a little bit more gloomy, a little bit more Metal as well. I think there is more of everything on it. The previous one was a little more straightforward and this one is a little heavier and more complex."
Chad Bowar: What does the title "King Of The Grey Islands" signify?
Leif Edling: "The Grey Islands is a place where you go to when you are sad or hurt or really pissed off. It's the place where you lock yourself in when you don't want anybody to be able to reach you. That's the meaning behind it. The king of the Grey Islands is the fictional character. Every song on the album is about emotions, negative emotions, and the king of the Grey Islands represents all of these negative emotions. It eventually leads up to the character's suicide in the last song. It shows what all of these negative emotions can lead to if you let them take control."
Chad Bowar: You are playing European festivals this summer. Any chance of making it to the US for a tour later on?
Leif Edling: "Early next year I would say. We are pretty busy this summer and we're going to tour in Europe in the fall. We go to Australia in November in we have some gigs in December as well. We are talking about going to America, so hopefully somebody will give us an offer to come over and put a package together with CANDLEMASS and a couple of other bands. You need somebody to give you an invitation to come. If people in America like the album, if it gets good reviews and people buy the record, I'm pretty sure someone will make us an offer."
Powerwolf To Support Candlemass
Multinational metalheads POWERWOLF will support Swedish doom metal legends CANDLEMASS on the following dates:
Sep. 02 - D - Hamburg @ Markthalle
Sep. 03 - D - Berlin @ Kato
Sep. 04 - D - Nürnberg @ Hirsch
Sep. 06 - D - Essen @ Turock
Sep. 07 - NL - Eindhoven @ [to be announced]
Sep. 08 - D - Würzburg @ Soundpark Ost *
Sep. 15 - CH - Pratteln @ Z7
* Power Of Doom Festival with CANDLEMASS, WARNING, POWERWOLF, THE LAMP OF THOTH
New Malevolent Creation, Candlemass Streaming
New releases from MALEVOLENT CREATION and CANDLEMASS can now be streamed in their entirety on MP3.com. Both will be available until July 17th at which point they will be released in North America via Nuclear Blast Records . Each album can be heard at the following locations:
"Doomsday X" was recorded and engineered at Mercury Recording Studios in Pompano Beach, Florida by longtime friend and producer (and sometimes session member) Gus Rios , and is said to be the most diverse MALEVOLENT CREATION album recorded to date and "without a doubt their fastest!!" Mick Thomson , guitarist for SLIPKNOT , also contributed a "ripping" guitar solo for the song "Deliver My Enemy" .
"King of the Grey Islands" is the first CANDLEMASS album to feature singer Robert Lowe ( SOLITUDE AETURNUS ), who replaced Messiah Marcolin earlier in the year. The album was recorded at the famed Polar Studios ( LED ZEPPLIN / ABBA ) in Sweden and mixed by Peter Tagtren ( HYPOCRISY, PAIN ).
