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

Candlemass is a Swedish Doom metal band established in the 1980s by Leif Edling (bass), its leader and songwriter.

Biography

After Leif Edling dissolved the band Nemesis , he started his own band under the name Candlemass (a possibly deliberate misspelling of Candlemas). The first Candlemass album was Epicus Doomicus Metallicus, released in 1986 and now considered a milestone in the Doom metal scene. The line-up for Epicus Doomicus Metallicus was:

• Leif Edling: bass
• Matz Ekstrom: drums
• Mats Mappe Björkman: guitar
• Johan Langquist: vocals

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. The next two albums were Ancient Dreams(1988) and Tales Of Creation(1989). In 1990, a live album was released. Shortly afterwards, a dispute between between the band members resulted in Messiah Marcolin's decision to leave.

After the departure of Marcolin, Candlemass recruited vocalist Tomas Vikström and recorded Chapter VI. Candlemass then disbanded, partly because the album was unsuccessful 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 perform 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, 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, using the classic line-up.

Line-up

• Messiah Marcolin - vocals
• Leif Edling - bass, vocals
• Jan Lindh - drums
• Mats Mappe Björkman - rhythm guitar
• Lasse Johansson - lead guitars

Former members

• Johan Lanquist - vocals (session vocalist for Epicus Doomicus Metallicus)
• Matz Ekstrom - drums (in Epicus Doomicus Metallicus)
• Tomas Vikstrom - vocals (in Chapter VI)
• Bjorn Flödkvist - vocals (in the Dactylis/13th era)
• Jejo Perkovic - drums (in the Dactylis/13th era)
• Mats Stahl - guitars (in From The 13th Sun)
• Carl Westholm - keyboards (in Dactylis Glomerata)
• Michael Amott - guitars (session player in Dactylis Glomerata)

Discography

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 2003 - 2003 (live double CD)
• Candlemass - 2005

Singles

• Samarithan - 1988
• At The Gallows End - 1988

Other Releases

• Sjunger Sigge Furst - 1993 (EP)
• As It Is, As It Was - 1994 (compilation)
• Documents Of Doom - 2002 (DVD)
• Diamonds Of Doom - 2003 (limited vinyl LP)

External links

• Candlemass Official Webpage