By: Anders

Posted: Jul 18, 2005

Many metal fans have understandably anticipated this album. The album that marks the return of the reunited Candlemass, with the superb vocals of Messiah Marcolin and the just as great song writing from Leif Edling. I had my hopes up high as many others, though in the back of my head a shadow of doubt were hidden. These comebacks often tend to disappoint, so it was with awe that I placed the CD in the player, and pushed play.

The album starts out with the track 'Black Dwarf', darkness and a great display of Messiah's vocal abilities. The track is quite faster than the normal Candlemass tune, I guess what others call mid-tempo. The track is very catchy and the music therein is great, heavy and superbly delivered. A really good opener, which grips the listener by the neck and threatens to break the neck, if the head doesn't give in and bang in time.

The compositions through out the album are great, really catchy and the dark atmosphere really hits the nail. Edling has a great way of incorporating catchy and good melodies in the heavy riffing and still keep it doomy. The musicianship displayed on the album is great as well. The band is playing greatly together and they possess a lot of energy and will once again.

The thing that made my 2 favorite Candlemass albums very special, was the vocals from Messiah Marcolin. Though "Epicus Doomicus Metallicus" is great as well, but try and imagine it with Messiah singing instead of Johan Langquist. But let's get back to this album, Messiah tops of the songs with his great vocal performance. His voice is big and possesses much power. He adds the last bit of darkness to the music and the real Candlemass doom atmosphere is present.

Production-wise is the album great too. The sound is thick and heavy and it has a really good bottom. The sound is modern, but still embrace the old school sounding doom metal from the band, and making it reach a higher wholesome. There are of course also a lot of space for the instruments and vocals in the sound picture, and it is all well-placed in the mix.

I was really surprised by this album and got way more than I initially expected that Candlemass anno 2005 could deliver. There are a lot of reminders going back to the first 3 albums of the band and that how it should be. Let us keep the legacy of Candlemass. Progression is good; though too much will ruin the band, as seen before. I can really recommend tracks as the before mentioned 'Black Dwarf', my 2 favorites 'Seven Silver Keys' and the Black Sabbath sounding 'Copernicus' and of course 'Witches'. Though the rest of the tracks are great as well. This does for sure live up to the legacy of this great band!

Rating: 9/10

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