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September 7, 2008 |
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01. Black Dwarf
02. Seven Silver Keys
03. Assassin Of The Light
04. Copernicus
05. The Man Who Fell From The Sky
06. Witches
07. Born In A Tank
08. Spellbreaker
09. The Day And The Night
10. Mars And Volcanos (Bonus Track)
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The first decade of the 21st century will be remembered for many things, not least of which being that it was/is seemingly the era of the 'Heavy Metal Band Reunion'. Pretty much everyone from MAIDEN, to PRIEST, MÖTLEY CRÜE and EUROPE to ANTHRAX, DEATH ANGEL to frikkin' TWISTED SISTER and beyond...you name 'em and they've either patched up old differences and hit the road on a worldwide tour, hopped into the nearest studio to record a big 'comeback' album...or both.
Whether or not all of this is simply the result of a genuine desire on the part of such hardened war-dogs as the above-mentioned icons to saddle up the proverbial steeds and make one more grasp for that coveted golden ring, or conversely a cynical ploy to cash in on the newfound public interest in nostalgia-dripping, 'Rawk'-oriented formats as generated by the likes of THE DARKNESS, NICKLEBACK, and Bo Bice (this is called sarcasm, guys) amongst others...we'll never know. Suffice to say though, that yet another luminary can now be added to the ever-growing list of 'reunited greats', namely Sweden's Doom-Metal grandfathers CANDLEMASS, whose latest self-titled, original-lineup-featuring opus on Nuclear Blast heralds a return to the spotlight of the band responsible for birthing all that is doom-laden, be-stonered, or otherwise in possession of only the most downtuningly downtuned arsenals of riffage and woeful vibes.
CANDLEMASS have never really gone away if the truth be told. This album really only marks a 'return', or 'reunion' in the sense that this is the first time that the band lineup has featured all of the 'classic' original members (Messiah Marcolin/vocals, Leif Edling/bass, Mats Björkman/guitars, Lars Johansson/guitars, and Jan Lindh/drums) since the 'Tales Of Creation' release of some 16 years ago. Band mainstay Edling had forged on admirably over the years despite the departure of vocalist Marcolin whose signature operatic bellow could arguably be described as the lynchpin of the band's signature sound, with varying results as evidenced on releases such as 'Chapter VI' ('92), 'Dactylis Glomerata' ('98), and 'From The 13th Sun' ('99) - quality releases all - yet none of them managing to reach the heights of the '87-'89 glory years of 'Nightfall', 'Ancient Dreams', and the aforementioned 'Tales Of Creation'.
With Marcolin and the rest of the band now firmly re-entrenched in the fold, it would seem that CANDLEMASS have managed to recapture much of the magic that once pulsed and swirled from tortured speakers the world over with ominous and black-hearted heaviness and majesty.
Kicking things off is 'Black Dwarf' - a relentless, marching riff-monster of a track that lays waste to the landscape in what can only be summed up as 'true CANDLEMASS form'. Really...great track and a fantastic opener. Right up there with old faves like 'Mirror Mirror', and 'A Cry From The Crypt' as an unforgettable 'MASS benchmark. 'Seven Silver Keys' slows things down somewhat to groove with a certain sinister ambience. The next three tracks don't do much for me to be honest (hence my mere '8' grading of what by all rights could/should have been a solid '9'), probably because they all seem to meander around the same basic, mid-paced tempo at a point in the album when I personally could have used more of the sort of grim-riffic dynamics that make 'Black Dwarf' come to such hairs-rising-on-the-back-of-the-neck life. 'Witches' grants my wish, sustaining me through the scowling 'Born In A Tank' and 'Spellbreaker' before slowing down again to conclude with 'The Day And The Night'.
Overall a great, great 'Doom Metal' album by an act who are arguably both masters and progenitors of the form. Heavy-as-a-lead-weight riffs, thundering percussion, a bottom end as vast as the outer gulfs, Marcolin's soaring, otherworldly wail, the evocation of genuine psychic distress and unease...this is classic 'old-skool' Doom fat with clarity, heft, and gleaming, virtuoso edges honed to a razor's edge. None of this bong-water-soaked sludge and fuzz too often associated with the genre...no...'Candlemass' is a record chock full of groove, hook, vitality, and a reason to be as it gently takes the listener by the hand and leads ever on into deep, nighted-stairwell realms of mystery and foreboding. A gleaming black jewel in the darkness, 'Candlemass' does not disappoint. No cash-grab here. CANDLEMASS have obviously massed for the pure and unadulterated love of Doom. Strap this one on and hold on tight. It's a helluva ride.
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