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.
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 (session) 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 in 1991.
New singer-era, hiatus and first reunion (1991–2003)
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, 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, 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. Both albums featured singer Bjorn Flodqvist.
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.
Second reunion (2004–2006)
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.
Robert Lowe era (2007–2012)
Candlemass found a new vocalist, Robert Lowe (Solitude Aeturnus), who recorded with the band's ninth album King of the Grey Islands, which was released on 22 June 2007. The album is self-produced except for four songs produced by Andy Sneap. On 31 March 2007, Candlemass celebrated a slightly delayed twentieth anniversary. To commemorate the celebration, original singer Johan Längqvist appeared live with the band for the first time. The event was recorded and later released as a DVD.
Mats "Mappe" Björkman 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). Candlemass worked on a tenth studio album in 2008. It was intended to be titled Hammer of Doom, but they renamed it to Death Magic Doom because the name coincided with a German festival. The album was scheduled to be released on 27 March 2009, but it was delayed until 3 April 2009.
In 2009, bassist Leif Edling told Soundshock that work on the next Candlemass album would likely begin before 2011. However, this plan fell through, and Leif had stated that the album's release date was pushed back to 2012, in order for the band to concentrate on the 25th anniversary of their 1986 debut Epicus Doomicus Metallicus.
On 14 October 2011, it was announced that Candlemass were signed to the Austrian label Napalm Records, who released their eleventh studio album Psalms for the Dead in June 2012. Despite this, bassist Leif Edling 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 as new singer (2012–2018)
On 2 June 2012, Candlemass announced via their website that Robert Lowe had left the band as vocalist, mainly due to the quality of the live performances and explained to be "a very difficult decision for the band", and was replaced for the band's upcoming shows by longtime friend and collaborator of Candlemass, Mats Levén (of Yngwie Malmsteen, Therion, Treat, and At Vance fame, among others). Levén had earlier worked with Leif Edling in Abstrakt Algebra and Krux and sang on demos from the Candlemass and King of the Grey Islands sessions, found on the box set Doomology. In addition, keyboardist Per Wiberg (ex-Opeth, Spiritual Beggars) also joined the band on stage for these live shows.
In January 2013, Candlemass was voted the greatest Swedish hard rock/metal band of all time by the writers of Sweden Rock Magazine, Scandinavia's biggest hard rock magazine as well as Sweden's biggest music magazine by circulation. They were featured in a list of the 100 greatest Swedish hard rock/metal bands of all time in a special jubilee edition, to celebrate the magazine's 100th issue. In connection with this, it was also revealed that Candlemass, along with death metal band Entombed (No. 2 on the list), were to perform jointly at a special jubilee concert in Stockholm arranged by the magazine. In July 2014, Candlemass headlined the Väsby Rock Festival in their hometown Upplands Väsby.
Despite earlier claims that Psalms for the Dead would be their final album, bassist Leif Edling had stated that he was open to recording new music with Candlemass again. To coincide with the 30th anniversary of Epicus Doomicus Metallicus, 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 featured two CDs containing the top picks by Leif Edling and Messiah Marcolin respectively, a CD with rare tracks from their early career (including the Witchcraft demo), and two DVDs with three live performances.
Return of Johan Langquist (2018–present)
On 3 September 2018, Candlemass announced the return of Johan Langquist 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 Langquist 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 Langquist since 1986's Epicus Doomicus Metallicus.
On 6 December 2018, Candlemass announced that their twelfth album was titled The Door to Doom and would be released on 22 February 2019. It was also revealed that the album would include a guest appearance by Black Sabbath's Tony Iommi, who contributes to 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. According to bassist Leif Edling, Candlemass will likely not release their new studio album until 2022 or 2023.
On 18 August 2022, the band announced their thirteenth studio album, Sweet Evil Sun, would be released on 18 November.
Influences
Candlemass' musical style is markedly influenced by early Black Sabbath. Edling, the band's main songwriter and sole constant member, has been influenced by Black Sabbath, as well as bands like Blue Öyster Cult, Mercyful Fate/King Diamond, Bachman-Turner Overdrive, Rush, Nazareth, the Jimi Hendrix Experience, Judas Priest, Motörhead and Venom.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candlemass_(band)
Studio albums
Epicus Doomicus Metallicus (1986)
Nightfall (1987)
Ancient Dreams (1988)
Tales of Creation (1989)
Chapter VI (1992)
Dactylis Glomerata (1998)
From the 13th Sun (1999)
Candlemass (2005)
King of the Grey Islands (2007)
Death Magic Doom (2009)
Psalms for the Dead (2012)
The Door to Doom (2019)
Sweet Evil Sun (2022)
At the Gallows End
Candlemass Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
So warm and tender was never the night
In tears I see you, the last time it will be
So give me your blessing, I'll meet my destiny
No rest for the Sinner
Hypnos refused me my sleep
This was the last night of my life
I drank to the devil with servants
It's good with a friend where you go
No one would share my last chalice
So I drink to the ones that I know
Ring brother, ring for me
Ring the bells of hope and faith
Ring for my damnation
I am at the gallows end
With sad emotions, I sing this epitaph
My swansong, my headstone, the farewell of my heart
The hills of Tyburn, up where the gallows stand
Only the vultures will come to see me hang
Behold the sight of my Golgatha
The gallows enlightened by the moon
Proud of his art are the carpenter
His creation a tool for my doom
I am the outcast no winner
I am the fallen the one
That lived all his life as a sinner
The Tempter has called me his son
Soon it is time the dark has now fled
And I see the place for my death
The priest he will pray for my lost soul
I'm sure he's wasting his time
A sinner, a fool or a devil
Or just a victim of life
It's no fun to burn in hell's fire
But I sure have enjoyed my life
Ring brother, ring for me
Ring the bells of hope and faith
Ring for my damnation
I am at the gallows end
"At the Gallows End" by Candlemass is a song that tells the story of a man who has come to the end of his life, and is about to be hung for his sins. The lyrics are rife with symbolism, such as the use of the word "Golgotha," which is the place where Jesus was crucified. The man singing the song is resigned to his fate, but also reflective upon his life and the choices he has made. The first stanza establishes the beauty of the morning, which the man sees for the last time. He asks the sun for its blessing before he meets his destiny.
The second stanza reveals that the man has had a troubled past. He has wrestled with insomnia and has spent his last night drinking with the devil and his servants. No one would share his last drink with him. The third stanza is spoken from the perspective of the man's brother, who is ringing the bells of hope and faith for him. The fourth stanza speaks of the man's impending death and his acceptance of it. The final stanza is reflective, and the man is acknowledging his state as a sinner, a fool or a devil, or just a victim of life. Despite this, he has enjoyed his life, and he is prepared to face whatever comes next.
Line by Line Meaning
Sunrise I greet you, the beauty of your light
I welcome the morning light with its warmth and beauty.
So warm and tender was never the night
The night before was not as beautiful and pleasant as this morning.
In tears I see you, the last time it will be
I cry because I know this is my last morning alive.
So give me your blessing, I'll meet my destiny
Please bless me as I face my fate.
No rest for the Sinner
I cannot rest because I have sinned.
Hypnos refused me my sleep
I couldn't sleep because of the weight of my sins.
This was the last night of my life
I knew this would be my last night alive.
With wine I pondered on my deeds
I drank and reflected on my past actions.
I drank to the devil with servants
I drank to honor the devil with my friends.
It's good with a friend where you go
It's better to have friends when facing the end.
No one would share my last chalice
No one was willing to share their drink with me before I die.
So I drink to the ones that I know
I raise a glass to those who have mattered to me.
Ring brother, ring for me
Please ring the bells on my behalf.
Ring the bells of hope and faith
Let the bells ring in hope and faith for me.
Ring for my damnation
Ring for me as I'm condemned to die.
I am at the gallows end
I'm at the end of the line, about to be executed.
With sad emotions, I sing this epitaph
I sing this mournful song in memory of myself.
My swansong, my headstone, the farewell of my heart
This song is my final goodbye, my last will and testament.
The hills of Tyburn, up where the gallows stand
The site of my execution on the hill in Tyburn.
Only the vultures will come to see me hang
No one will come to watch me die except for the scavenger birds.
Behold the sight of my Golgatha
Witness my own personal Calvary.
The gallows enlightened by the moon
The moon casts a light upon the gallows, illuminating it.
Proud of his art are the carpenter
The carpenter is proud of the gallows he has built.
His creation a tool for my doom
The gallows will be the instrument of my death.
I am the outcast no winner
I'm an outcast and have no chance of winning.
I am the fallen the one
I'm the guilty one who has fallen from grace.
That lived all his life as a sinner
I have spent my entire life as a sinner.
The Tempter has called me his son
The devil has claimed me as one of his own.
Soon it is time the dark has now fled
It's almost time for my execution as the darkness recedes.
And I see the place for my death
I see the place where I'll take my last breath.
The priest he will pray for my lost soul
The priest will pray for me and my soul's salvation.
I'm sure he's wasting his time
I doubt his prayers will do any good.
A sinner, a fool or a devil
I'm either a sinner, a fool, or a devil.
Or just a victim of life
Perhaps I'm simply a victim of circumstances.
It's no fun to burn in hell's fire
No one wants to suffer eternal damnation.
But I sure have enjoyed my life
Despite my sins, I've had a good life.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LEIF EDLING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@tcocharlesdexterward239
the most clean voice in the history of metal music. you can understand every word he says
@killgore8879
Yes and if he wrote it then he's great at writing as well
@winterburden
Eric Adams from Manowar is almost as good at enunciating, if not more so.
@takeshikitanohidinginflowers
Michael Kiske
@AMisfit
*You can feel every word he says
@sergiodambrosio363
@@killgore8879 All songs, both the music and the lyrics, were written by the bassist, Leif Edling. He is without a doubt the best composer in Doom Metal, in my opinion. I agree that Messiah Marcolin singing elevates the songs to a higher level. Great voice.
Probably this is my favorite album by Candlemass.
Greetings!
@ivelinapancheva3681
God level singing.
Messiah Marcolin is so underrated. He had more control, beauty and expressiveness than tons of highly praised 80's/90's rock singers.
@MrCanadianCaber
Agreed! So underrated and under recognized.
@MetalBoss44
God tier, good call
@sejuanisupportonly7385
@Smokeanaut > Would you believe there are people who hate his voice
No, I wouldn't believe that ... I'd sooner believe the Earth is flat and that Angela Merkel is a better comedian than George Carlin ... :p