Candlemass Death Magic Doom
by Derric Miller
Staff Writer
Death Magic Doom. That’s a bit of a self-fulfilling prophecy, but in the end. Candlemass definitely came up with the right title for their brand new release … Death Magic Doom. The band originally wanted to call the release Hammer of Doom — once you hear the track you’ll know why — but a festival in Europe already used that moniker, and thus, the name change. Regardless, this is the second full-length Candlemass release with singer Robert Lowe on board (he also sang on an EP Lucifer Rising), and although he sings nothing like the somewhat legendary Messiah Marcolin, he’s just as talented a vocalist — if not better. Where Messiah leans on the theatric, Lowe draws on his sheer Metal influences, and in the end, it doesn’t matter who is the better frontman, because anytime Candlemass releases anything new, Heavy Metal fans wins.
In an interview with Hardrock Haven, Lowe described how the opening track was created. Bassist/songwriter Leif Edling and Lowe were imbibing in a Stockholm pub, and Leif said “If I ever die,” while meaning to say, “When I die.” Lowe stopped him right there, and told him to go home and write that song up instantly. What you get is a heated, somewhat theatric, and infinitely heavier Candlemass song that we’ve heard in a while. “If I Ever Die” isn’t Doom Metal, per se, but more of a blast into your noggin of ferocious, upbeat Heavy Metal. It’s a surprise to hear a song this fast open the release, but Candlemass wanted to let the listener know to stop expecting the expected. As the song fades, Lowe breaks into a mesmerizing and powerful a capella passage, and it’s up there with Dio as far as class. Just a brilliant way to begin Death Magic Doom …
Of course, the funereal takes hold by song two, “Hammer of Doom.” This has all of the Sabbath-type glory you expected, with a speed both sludgy and slow. The chorus picks up, showcasing Lowe’s ability to deliver with a massively heavy intonation while crooning on the mellower parts. He’s the guy Candlemass needed to keep them in the spotlight.
There are many topics touched on with Death Magic Doom, but a song about a vampiress makes great sense. Thus, they wrote the dirge “The Bleeding Baroness.” In a twist, this song is more about feeling bereft for the loss of youth; the Baroness is not proud of her lot, but in mourning that this is all she has, every day, to look forward to. It doesn’t stop her from slaying humans, drinking their blood, making them wish they’d never been born … but at least she feels sorry for herself and her lost youth. The majesty of the guitar solo from Lars Johansson and the utterly depressing rhythms from Mappe Bjorkman move you in the way Edgar Allen Poe used to, and probably still does.
The longest song, “House of 1,000 Voices,” is another of the heavy, faster, yet still doomy tracks. The musical passages are lengthier, more about creating a morose atmosphere than telling a real story, but that’s what happens when a song nears 8-minutes in length. Johansson is allowed to wail with some empassioned solos and leads, and Edling shines with his darkest light on this composition as well, churning things with his adept and forceful style.
Unless you have the bonus track on the edition you bought, the last song is “My Funeral Dreams.” Lowe’s vocals are instantly haunting and yet exceedingly melodic. It begins as another Doom anthem, yet cranks up the energy after the opening to another mid-tempo, Classic Metal pace. The lyrics permeate your brain, with lines like, “It’s dark, I’m blind, I’m trying to climb up from the holes into my head. In my dream, I stab and I scream … I’m dead without leaving my own bed.”
“Lucifer Rising” is the bonus track, the title track of their EP between King of the Grey Island and Death Magic Doom.
While Nightfall will probably be the point of context for Candlemass, they have made a major step up from King of the Grey Island to Death Magic Doom. Lowe’s input helped the vocal melodies this time around, as this album was written with his vocals in mind, and they overall sound tighter and more complete as a band. They are all over the festival circuit in Europe this summer, making American Doom fans infinitely jealous. Candlemass is as good as it gets in Doom Metal, and they need to find their way to the States. Until that happens, pick up Death Magic Doom, and doom on …
Label: Nuclear Blast
Track listing:
1. If I Ever Die
2. Hammer of Doom
3. Bleeding Baroness
4. Demon of the Deep
5. House of 1000 Voices
6. Dead Angel
7. Clouds of Dementia
8. My Funeral Dreams
9. Lucifer Rising [Album Outtake]
HRH Rating: 8.4/10