Death Magic Doom

Candlemass' tenth studio album "Death Magic Doom" is a bit of a head scratcher to me. Without a doubt, this one is a quality record in Candlemass' discography, but I feel like there's just something missing somewhere to elevate it into 'excellent' status. Their previous album "King of the Grey Islands" was mostly written before Robert Lowe joined the fold, so this is their first album with Lowe from start to finish, and I think it shows a bit in the songwriting. To me, a lot of these songs feel like the rest of the band is still testing the waters with Lowe. Both sides seem to be figuring out what they can bring to the table that the other side would like or not. It leads to a record with too much sizzle and not enough steak.

"Demon of the Deep" is probably the song on the album that shows this unique hybrid of their styles best of all. When the mixture of styles clicked for the better. Most of this song relies on Robert Lowe's mixture of incredibly somber yet also very aggressive vocals. His ever-changing tone and style when the song goes from soft to heavy show what a fantastic vocalist he is. The song has pretty lackluster riffs all across the board, and yet Lowe makes this a very enjoyable song despite that. When you're a band like Candlemass that is famous for having incredible riffs, being able to save a song that is lacking in that department is truly an accomplishment. So much of an accomplishment that he couldn't even do it twice on the same album (more on that later.) The best part of the song by far is the very end of it. The entire tone of the song shifts into a much more melodic waltz which Lowe helps drive to a close with a miserable but beautiful repetition of chorus lines.

Meanwhile, "House of 1000 Voices" is a track that sums up my feelings on the album in general. The song is a fine one with pretty good riffs, and a solid performance from Lowe, but there's just something missing from it to get it to that next level of 'amazing.' The main riff has a fantastic groove, and Lowe sings across it with a lot of power. The chorus also adds eerie keyboards to sell the mood more. I think the core problem I have with this song is that every part starts to overstay its welcome. The solos are all just a little too long without any stellar moments. There is a small bridge section after the first solo that goes nowhere and goes on one measure longer than it needed to. Then, the song swaps to a cool transition riff lead by Leif's bass which, again, goes a bit too long. Finally, we resume the initial parts of the track, which I feel is unnecessary. The song should have ended after the transitional part. It then takes FOREVER to finally end. This would have been a great song, but has absolutely no business being almost eight minutes. Despite my complaints, I like "House of 1000 Voices." I just can't love it.

Now, the song that steals the show without question is "The Bleeding Baroness." It is no contest the best "Death Magic Doom" delivers. It opens with an absolutely haunting riff that Lowe's mystical melodies sell. It explodes into a harder, grinding riff full of power. The subtle lead guitar parts that accent Lowe's vocals during the verses elevate him higher. "The Bleeding Baroness" masterfully uses the magical element of breathing-room that many bands don't have a concept of. The constant swaps between softer and heavier; slow to slightly faster; eerie to aggressive; help the song always feel fresh. It leaves you hungry to see where the song goes next, and then satisfies with each fantastic part. "Clouds of Dementia" is the other song on the record I absolutely adore. The riffs and chorus are both the best the album has to offer. The chorus in particular is just melodic enough to be addictive without being too cheesy for the song itself. It is both catchy and powerful at the same time. The keyboards and switch from single bass drum pattern to double bass when it loops adds subtle power to drive it.

Sadly, I think the worst on the album are the very first two tracks it greets us with. "If I Ever Die" tries to be the stereotypical quicker paced Candlemass track to the album, but needed more time in the oven. The riffs that stand on their own are good enough to fuel the track, but the verse riffs are just simple chords being held for Lowe to sing over. His melodies are not good enough to save such an unacceptably lame verse riff, leading to a snore fest every time the vocals come in. About half way through the song, there is a part where the band starts and stops with Lowe singing during the pauses. This was clearly supposed to be the track's epic moment, but it comes out pathetically to me. The band is just smashing away at random notes, almost like they're unsure of what exactly they're playing. "Hammer of Doom" is by far one of the most boring tracks in the band's discography. The song has one of the most dull, boring, simplistic riffs you can ask for. These are the type of riffs that bands could get away with when the genre was new twenty years before this record was released, but just come off as lazy now. Lowe tries some quieter creepy vocals, but isn't at the top of his game trying to sell them. The lack of band support behind him doesn't help. When the song explodes with the chorus, it should be a breath of fresh air, but once again, we're greeted with an absolute lack of riff support. Towards the end, the song tries to speed up, but I've already been bored to tears, so I can't be bothered to care. Lowe's actual chorus lines are solid, but that's about all the song has going.

When all is said and done "Death Magic Doom" is a mixed bag. Without a doubt I think it's the weakest of the three Robert Lowe-era albums. There are definitely a few gems of Candlemass brilliance to it, and even at the record's worst, it's more 'boring' than it is downright bad. The fat needed to be trimmed off this album. I also think the tour for this album was where tension between Lowe and Candlemass started. Candlemass has been very vocal in stating that they thought Lowe was a subpar live performer, and it's hard to disagree with them if you watch any live performance he does with them. His singing is on point, but he has absolutely no stage presence. It's odd to me, because I think he's the best studio singer Candlemass ever had pound for pound, but the worst live vocalist they had too. Luckily, though, Lowe'd have one more studio album left to give, and I think it's the best of them all.

"Death Magic Doom"; this three words title is borrowed from Dimmu Borgir, isn't it? The cover artwork is reduced to its essentials and can therefore also not be deemed as a triumph of creativity, although the simple symbolism never fails to have an effect on the beholder. Anyway, the Swedish legend does not need any kind of visual antics. The heavyweight sound of mastermind Leif Edling and his sidekicks speaks for itself. First of all, it goes without saying that I do not need to blather about the musicianship of the five band members. Everything is well implemented, every cog intermeshes perfectly with the next one. In particular the sublime performance of lead vocalist Robert Low is simply impressive. Generally speaking, doom is not my passion, but Candlemass have the ability to fascinate me again and again. Despite its blatantly typical title, "Death Magic Doom" marks no exception.

The album shows new variations of the usual trademarks of Candlemass. A dense and majestic sound is the prerequisite. Its flawlessness lays the groundwork for the dark anthems of the band without killing the dynamic of the songs. Despite the density of the production, the band is always able to intensify the atmosphere of the tracks in a matter of seconds. The instrumental part of "House of 1000 Voices" is a good example in this context. Experience how this song progresses between 3:41 and 4:58. To avoid misunderstandings, the entire track is worth listening to. Yet this is nothing special. Each and every song reveals its mightiness, albeit in different ways and to different degrees. "Hammer of Doom" is the prototype of a profound and poignant doom song, the mid-paced "The Bleeding Baroness" combines heavy verses with a melancholic chorus and the opener "If I Ever Die" marks the "high speed" track of the album. At this point, I must criticise the band for the arrangement of the running order. Positively expressed, "If I Ever Die" stands in the tradition of more or less rapid openers like "Black Dwarf" and "Emperor of the Void". But, frankly, this beginning is predictable and the entire album lacks a bit of surprising elements. After all, the fairly weird "Demon of the Deep" presents an unexpected final part.

In my personal ranking, "Death Magic Doom" stands in the shadow of its two predecessors. But "Candlemass" and "King of the Grey Island" were true masterpieces and one cannot expect that this quality can be repeated endlessly. The more important thing is that the album is free from lukewarm fillers. Even less impressive numbers like "Dead Angel" with its pretty harmless, almost cheesy chorus and its vapid ending have their moments. In the case of this song, the drilling guitars during the verses keep the piece above water. However, the last regular track, "My Funeral Dreams", leaves no doubt that Candlemass are not willing to make space for another group at the top of the doom scene. Its dramatic and genuine configuration gives no reason to moan and the strong bonus track closes the loop in view of its relatively fast tempo. A good record, but definitely not the most shining pearl in the discography of the Swedes. Even the fact that the limited edition comes with a bonus DVD does not change this situation.

Each phase of Candlemass has had its own distinctive feature. For the very first album, it was the feeling of agelessness and infinite possibility that came with the epic sound and the themes of magic and monumental suffering. For the subsequent few albums, it was Messiah and the holy light that the band seemed to emit. For 'Chapter VI', there was a characteristic feeling of weirdness and storytelling, while the next two albums had that spacey, lost vibe that didn't suit the band all that well. The self-titled found itself weightier and with a historic focus, then 'King of the Grey Islands' was a hulking machiavellian misanthrope scheming and swearing in the dark. My problem with 'Death Magic Doom' is that I don't really feel a particular character coming off these eight tracks. There's nothing intrinsically wrong with that - I'm not a sucker for concept albums or anything that too overtly kettles the musical scope of a band - yet I do get the feeling that I've been shortchanged if a Candlemass album fails to deliver something encompassing and overwhelming.

If I'm going to attempt to pick up a thread or a theme, I do get some images of the vague past (that past that speaks to you of things that have been, though not specifically when) and of single doomed personages who have some story to tell. However, I'm not really sucked into those stories in such a compelling way as I was with 'King of the Grey Islands', which musically resembles 'Death Magic Doom' more than any other Candlemass album. I listen to a song like 'The Bleeding Baroness', feel myself gravitate towards that situation and character, but then the next song throws me somewhere completely different and has to start all over again. Some songs, like 'House of a Thousand Voices' and 'Dead Angel', in fact never grab my attention beyond mere surface features like riffs and rhythms, so - basically - this sour bastard won't let a great band get away with a few lacklustre songs. Maybe that's why they had to call it something as random as 'Death Magic Doom'.

On the other hand, I don't have so much of a problem with the basic elements of this album, not in the way that I would pick apart Cathedral or My Dying Bride for specific musical issues. The band sound immense in a way that I kind of fail to appreciate nowadays with Candlemass: it's the same cavernous heaviness that dominated all their albums post-2000 and will grind your bones to dust if you so desire. Guitar tone is thick and enormous, plus there's the added bonus of Leif Edling's bass (which he plays here for weight more than anything), not to mention the surprisingly sprightly way in which things can pick up at times, as they do for 'Dead Angel' and 'If I Ever Die'. 'If I Ever Die' is an interesting song in that it deliberately tries to combine the crushing and the frantic: while the band - Robert Lowe in particular - try to out-doom doom itself, the fast riff is a definite treat and shows that the band can mix things up without losing their edge.

It is on the slower parts of this album that unfortunately Candlemass do begin to lose something, since someone (and it's the same lineup as on the preceding album) had obviously come dangerously close to the end of their inspiration for doom riffs. There's nothing wrong with nicking a few ideas from the legends and doom often sounds better when it's played simply, but, my word, doesn't 'Hammer of Doom' sound just a tad like 'Black Sabbath'? That almost-clean scale picked out over the shuffle of drums, then a surge of momentum towards the close of the song? Needless to say, it goes on a little long and doesn't benefit by the comparison. Then there are some rather simple riffs on 'House of a Thousand Voices', which doesn't quite come off, and we're looking down the barrel at a rather mediocre collection of great-sounding songs. Naturally, there are a couple which should blow away most other half-decent doom bands, of which my favourites are the two closers, which crank up the emotional intensity, plus 'The Bleeding Baroness'.

In the end, we do have here a slightly disappointing Candlemass album, not only because there aren't any songs that scream out "classic", but also because no one's performance stands out enough. The lead guitar is still good and swoops and sings dramatically (the solo in 'Clouds of Dementia' is gobsmacking), yet its use in the songs is more an extra part than an intrinsic role. These songs just never seem to arrive in the way that I have known from these five men. Robert Lowe is also disappointing, not reaching his absolute best and over-reaching himself on the all-or-nothing 'If I Ever Die'. 'Psalms for the Dead', which followed three years in the wake of 'Death Magic Doom', suffered a similar fate, and both end up as decent albums, though exist as an indicator that the end was at hand for the mighty Candlemass.

Death Magic Doom has all the defining facets of a good doom record. This album features vocalist Robert Lowe from Solitude Aeturnus during his six year reign as front man for Candlemass. This is the only album I've heard from him on Candlemass but have heard some of his work from Solitude. I consider his style to be reminiscent of Ronnie James Dio which is definitely not a bad thing! Word pronunciation is concise and vocal range is expansive. His level of “cheesiness” is on par for the image this band portrays. This is the first Candlemass album I ever purchased on vinyl and ever listened to so I had no prior knowledge of their sound or the band's history.

Picking up the LP, the artwork is simple but compelling. Interesting texture choice and it definitely gives off an evil, intriguing vibe. In regards to the writing, the lyrics are fairly typical for a doom album but well written just the same. Mostly religious and dark fantasy from the tracks and they all seem to mesh appropriately. The instruments are where this album really shines for me. Guitar riffs are top notch and evil sounding and the natural drum tone is pretty awesome. Nothing real crazy on guitar solos but what do you expect from a doom album? Simplicity is key sometimes and the solos are very well written and do exactly what they should do for the mood they want to portray on these tracks. Don't really hear that many distinct bass lines going on but the music does seem balanced. Intricate bass lines are another trait that most doom albums don't possess.

Robert Lowe's vocals are fitting for the music style and lyricism from Leif Edling. I listened to some of the band's previous records while diving into this review and it seems he was a perfect fit for their direction. I noticed that Lowe's current stomping grounds are about twenty miles from my home! Anyway, Lowe does a good job of putting out that evil, thick vibe to the tracks on this album. All of his range is executed well and he creates some seriously chilling moments in some breaks and bridges! For the production and quality of recording, I have nothing negative to say. All the tracks sound clear and polished. This isn't the band's first rodeo so I'm sure they have tracking and quality down by now.

One of the many reasons I listen to metal is to unwind and relieve some stress. This album does that by creating heavy, dark emotions with the combination of lyrics, music, vocals. The term “epic doom metal” makes so much sense after listening to this record. “Hammer of Doom” ended up being my favorite due to how heavy some of the guitar riffs were! The only con I can give this LP is “Dead Angel”. Like I said before, the lyrics pair really well but for some reason this song sticks out like a sore thumb music wise. Doom fans rejoice because this is a record you should definitely pick up! Non-doom fans: I recommend you give this one a shot and tell me this won't make you a fan!

I must say, I expected nothing from this album to be honest. I had never listened to Candlemass before, only heard their name. But I do enjoy doom metal, so I decided to pick up their latest release to see what the fuss was all about. I expected slow, depressive music, like for example Reverend Bizarre, and to a certain extent I kind of got it, but I also got a kind of modern speed/powermetal, especially from Robert.

The overall sound of the instruments on the album is that of thickness and power. We're not talking BLS or Crowbar here, but a kind of distorted sound common to the genre. And Robert Lowe's voice shows many different sides in the songs on the album. It can go from lurking, sly and evil to the more theatric high-pitch of speed/powermetal (think a more downtuned Bruce Dickinson).

Leif's bass adds the power needed to really give the distorted guitars of Lars and Mappe a big boost. This combination of distortion and power works very well both in the faster and slower songs. The structure of the riffing is not too complicated, sometimes erupting into pretty groovy parts, and in the midst of all the rawness comes several solos to fulfill the songs.

However, sometimes it feels like Jan's drumming get's lost in all the heaviness. It's constantly there, but sometimes seem to drown in the powerfull guitarwork. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, since it makes you focus on the power of the songs, which in itself pulls the music forwards on it's own.

As for the lyrics, they mostly deal with evil, horror and madness. Not overly poetic (the kind of lyrics I usually prefer), instead it feels like Robert is telling you a story with every song, a good story too I might add. The verses are usually sung with that whispering, evil voice of his, while during the climax he usually changes it to his more high-pitched voice, surely inspired by King Diamond, Michael Kiske and the likes. Both voices work very well, and fits the albums image perfectly.

My favorite songs on the album must be "Demon of the Deep", a slow paced song with lyrics that no doubt should make you think of Cthulhu, if you're familiar with Lovecraft's mythical sea creature, and "House of 1000 Voices", a twisted tale about ghost children in a burnt down orphanage.

Overall, this is a modern doom metal album with good production value, heavy distortion and excellent singing and good storytelling lyrics.

Candlemass return for their 2nd album with new vocalist Robert Lowe (Solitude Aeturnus), a rocking out affair with a number of faster paced songs, yet still cogent of their strength for resounding, slower gothic crush. Perhaps it's the vocals, or the songwriting, or both, but I was left less than inspired by this record. In fact it's probably the worst Candlemass album since the mediocre Chapter VI. Boring enough that a second and third listen were increasingly difficult, as any errant distraction (a fly buzzing past, or a car) could instantly pull me away.

Robert Lowe does not have a bad voice, it's sharp and crisp, and certainly he has the repertoir and qualifications for this duty. But his voice is just...so plain for this band, lacking the powerful operatic theatrics of Messiah or even the chagrin of Björn Flodkvist. He can hit all the necessary notes but I just don't feel any power here; crucial for effective doom to mine ears. He's not helped by the songs, the faster tracks like "If I Ever Die" and "Dead Angel" are forgettable, and it's only on a few of the slower tracks that I felt my attention span increase. The strings in "The Bleeding Baroness" are nice. "Demon of the Deep" is a pretty good track overall which recalls the old days and feel of Epicus Doomicus Metallicus. "Clouds of Dementia" is another of the better offerings, a crushing lament.

Death Magic Doom isn't bad, it's just not up to snuff with the band's past works. I actually quite enjoyed King of the Grey Islands, even with Lowe singing, so this is somewhat of a disappointment. It's unlikely the band could manifest another Nightfall or Ancient Dreams, but I shall continue to mourn for those days.

-autothrall
http://www.fromthedustreturned.com

So, right, its taken me a bit of time to think how to write this review of Candlemass' new album, "Death Magic Doom", album no.10 for a band that has come and gone over their long career. One is not allowed to label themselves a fan of doom without at least admiration towards the Swedes early back catalogue, which for me is not a problem as I LOVE their first four albums, but listening to their three albums this decade since reformation has always tended to leave me a bit cold. Why is that?

"Death Magic Doom" represents the second album featuring Robert Lowe's (Solitude Aeturnus) pipes, who as expected has proven to be an admirable replacement for Messiah Marcolin, and another point on the board of why C-mass are the kings of epic doom metal. However for me, that reputation was made in the 80's and has hardly been topped up since. You see my problem is that I miss their 80's sound, their 80's song structure and I whisper this quietly, Messiah. Lowe, and Solitude Aeturnus, are brilliant, make no mistakes, but whether through production or the quality of the riffs and songs themselves recent Candlemass material too often feels stagnant and blunted and an example of where better technology does not equal better sound. Many songs ended up feeling quite samey through the lack of clarity that defined some truly brilliant albums many years ago. Yes yes I should probably wake up and smell the date but can anyone really argue with me that the sound of "Death Magic Doom" or 2007's "King Of The Grey Islands" is more emotional and interesting than "Epicus Doomicus Metallicus" (1986) or "Nightfall" (1987)?

The fact that, excluding the vocal department, the band's three 21st Century albums don't really seem to have evolved doesn't aid my appreciation of them, however this is still Candlemass, and Leif Edling, Mr. Doom if ever there was one. "Death Magic Doom" for all my qualms still has some bitching (did I just say that?) songs. "If I Ever Die" is an uptempo start before the first signs of crushing doom emerge in the appropriately titled "Hammer of Doom", one of those that would most fit an early Candlemass classic due to it's morose downtrodden nature. From here the speed jostles contentedly between crushing doom, mid-paced interludes, and as is their nature these days, a fair amount of faster bounding moments too. Not my favourite those, but their effect is clear: they add a distinct amount of groove that certainly works better live. "Demon Of The Deep", through it's incorporation of subtle organ/keyboard work produces the best individual moment of the album, and where Lowe's vocals shine through the strongest, in a similar way to the 'angelic' voices in "House Of 1000 Voices".

Overall, you'll see I have mixed feelings about this release. There are some great moments and it stands up strongly against other recent albums in the doom field but I am realising my wish for 'classic' Candlemass will remain just a wish, and probably for the best too. Leif Edling will always know how to write great doom and really I should not question him, so enjoy this work of great 21st Century doom yourself. <

Originally written for Rockfreaks.net

Before this album came out, it was announced by bassist Leif Edling that this would be the band's best album since the classic "Nightfall." Given that I'm a big fan of Candlemass's 2005 self-titled album; I took that statement with a grain of salt. While this is not on the same level of the band's stuff with Messiah Marcolin, it's definitely a great album and demonstrates the continuing success of the band's new life with vocalist Robert Lowe.

In terms of the songwriting and musical style, this album appropriately picks up where 2007’s “King of the Grey Islands” left off and expands upon the elements that helped make that album successful. The band as a unit seems to be more focused in its delivery, the various guitar riffs manage to keep all of the tempo changes interesting, the bass manages to stand out nicely on some spots and even gets a little solo during “House of 1000 Voices,” and Lowe sounds a little more comfortable this time around as his delivery ranges from quiet segments to desperate howls and wails. In fact, it’s pretty safe to say that this is different than anything on “Nightfall” and sounds unlike anything else that the band has ever released.

I also must say that I particularly enjoy the lyrics on this album. While the lyrics on “King of the Grey Islands” offered several interesting interpretations and a mysterious overall storyline, the lyrics on “Death Magic Doom” benefit from some interesting subject matter and a lack of the swearing that seemed to pop up on the band's last few albums (Not that I'm some kind of Tipper Gore fanatic, "fuck" and "shit" just aren't creative words...). Highlights include the all-out depression of the awesomely titled “Hammer Of Doom” (Too bad they couldn’t use it for the album’s title. The one they went with is somewhat awkward…), the Lovecraftian themes on “Demon of the Deep,” and the intriguing ghost story that appears on “House of 1000 Voices.”

While this is shaping up to be one of my favorite albums of 2009, I do admit that this album has its share of flaws. The music may be pretty unique as a while, but there are a few derivative moments here and there. The main riff on “House of 1000 Voices” bares a vague resemblance to the beloved “Bewitched” and the last two tracks remind one of the mid-tempo tracks on “KOTGI” such as “Of Stars and Smoke.” Speaking of mid-tempo, I also find that the band’s approach seems to work the best when they stick to slower tempos. “If I Ever Die” is a pretty solid song, but its faster tempo does make it a strange opener and somewhat out of place when compared to the album’s other tracks. “Hammer Of Doom” probably would’ve been a more fitting introduction…

All in all, this is a strong album that shows a further evolution in Candlemass’ sound. Recommended to doom metal fans everywhere!

Pros:
1) The bands sounds more comfortable this time around
2) The songwriting is improved when compared to the last album
3) The lyrics are pretty cool

Cons:
1) A few derivative moments
2) "If I Ever Die" does sound out of place, even if it is a good song

My Current Favorites:
"Hammer of Doom," "The Bleeding Baroness," "Demon of the Deep," "House of 1000 Voices," and "Dead Angel"

Candlemass. The name should be enough to explain how incredibly important this band has made on the doom metal genre. Sure, Trouble came out with Psalm 9 two years prior to Candlemass releasing Epicus Doomicus Metallicus, however no band outside of Iommi and friends have made a greater impact on doom metal. Leif Edling, the mastermind behind the band, has cemented himself over and over again as one of the greatest songwriters in heavy metal. Present in every lineup, he has been able to take whoever is around him and churn out some high quality doom metal.

An now we have Death Magic Doom, the third album since the reunion of the original lineup and the second with new doom drone Robert Lowe manning the vocals. King of the Grey Islands was a very good record, however Leif and the gang have really turned it up a notch with DMD. With Lowe being cemented as the long term replacement for the departed Messiah Marcolin, Leif was free to go outside of the box more, overcoming KOTGI's one flaw: lack of Candlemass’ typical doomy experimentation. With classics such as "Solitude", "Under the Oak", and "At the Gallows End" gracing the Candlemass back catalogue, KOTGI just seemed a little stale after a few listens.

DMD has solved that problem, kicking off with the speedy (yes, speedy) "If I Ever Die". Lowe really steals the show on this song, letting us know that Candlemass without Messiah is just as good as ever. The opening riff is an instant classic, one that has been stuck in my head almost continuously since I heard it. The obvious middle break in the song is followed by an absolutely fantastic lead courtesy of Mr. Lars Johansson. If I Ever Die is followed by the aptly titled "Hammer of Doom", which plods along at a slow and plodding pace typical of Candlemass

Then comes the album's other instant classic, "The Bleeding Baroness". This is it, this is the pinnacle of 21st century doom metal. As much as I lauded "If I Ever Die", this takes it out back and lays it to rest. "The Bleeding Baroness" starts out with the standard Candlemass Depression, then kicks it up a notch until the chorus begins. This is the best Candlemass chorus I have heard since "Samarithan". Doomtastic, the best track on the album, no doubt.

"House of A Thousand Vultures" and "My Funeral Dreams" are the best of the rest, both of which harkens back to the days of Candlemass old. Both could have easily been included in any of the first four albums without feeling out of place. The other four tracks, while good tracks, aren’t anything to write home about. Pretty standard Candlemass fare.

The production on the album is absolutely fantastic, as depressing and doomified (sp?) as anything I've heard in a long time. The guitars have a nice crunch to them, while the bass is audible, though definitely runs along with the guitars in many places. The drums are a little buried, but the playing is tight and everything we have become accustomed to courtesy of Mr. Lindh. Lowe's vocals do exactly what doom metal vocals are meant to do: soar above everything and add that extra element which makes everything so depressingly catchy, whatever that means.

Death Magic Doom is without a doubt the best thing that Candlemass has released since Tales of Creation, and well worth picking up. Leif has done it again, but his contribution was never in doubt.

I have to admit, I didn't think that Candlemass could come close to matching the magic of Epicus Doomicus Metallicus or Nightfall, but with King of the Grey Islands and Death Magic Doom, they have a sort of new life as a band. Getting Rob Lowe from Solitude Aeturnus to replace Messiah Marcolin was a great move. Rob sounds even more at ease on Death Magic Doom than he did on King of the Grey Islands, and his voice is utilized more fully on the album. They basically took all the good stuff from the previous album and improved upon it. Not only that, but the guitar and drum sound (and really, the overall sound) isn't compressed as it was for both King of the Grey Islands and the Lucifer Rising EP.

I have to admit, I was not a big fan of the Lucifer Rising EP. The two new tracks were okay, but I felt like they could've easily been leftovers from King of the Grey Islands (that didn't make the cut). But Death Magic Doom is a masterpiece of doom. I only have a few bones to pick with the album, so I may as well get them out of the way. The only really big one is on the first track, “If I Ever Die”. The only part of this song I don't like is how it builds and builds, then all of the band quits playing towards the middle and Rob Lowe sings a vocal line over the silence. He sings it fine, it's just that after all that building, I think it kind of fell flat there. I'm not sure I like it as the album opener, either, but I am at a loss for where to place it in amongst the rest of the album. Anyway, the other bone I have to pick with the album is that, as far as I can tell, Lief Edling is a bit buried in the mix! I like to hear the bass mixed in a little higher in doom metal; it adds a lot to the music.

“Hammer of Doom” is a classic track because it starts out as quintessential doom, and then it has the tempo change like we've seen from Black Sabbath's tracks Heaven & Hell or their self-titled track from the first album. “The Bleeding Baroness” and “House of 1000 Voices” are my favorites from the album, namely for both of their amazing chorus lines. Especially on the latter song, where Rob Lowe's voice just sounds haunting and the guitar part is nothing short of fantastic. And Lars Johansson's soloing on the latter track is probably my favorite of his ever. I really hope they play these three tracks live on any upcoming tours they do, along with “My Funeral Dreams”, which is the album closer – a strong closer with yet another great chorus part right in the middle of the song.

That being said, “Clouds of Dementia”, “Dead Angel”, and “Demon of the Deep” are all okay, but they aren't as memorable as the other tracks I have discussed here. The drumming is good, as usual, and the whole band delivers, but I'd say that Lars and Lowe put in the extra effort that put this album over the top (I'm sure Lief did too, as I am positive he has a heavy hand in the songwriting process). The lyrics are pretty good too, with Rob Lowe continuing his melancholy, saddening style that was earlier seen on Solitude Aeturnus – Alone (though nowhere near as dark as that album, IMO). He must be one of the greatest voices in doom metal, if not metal in general.

Definitely pick this one up. Even if you didn't like King of the Grey Islands, I encourage you to give this one a shot. And if you liked King of the Grey Islands, then I am sure you're going to love this one! I'm just sad that I wasn't able to get my hands on the special edition with the bonus track “Lucifer Rising” and the 25 minute DVD of footage about their studio work and last tour; I have no doubt that it would have been exciting. Anyway, this is a release not to miss out on, fellow doomsters. This one sets the bar very high for any new epic doom metal to come. Doom on.

http://zephyrusblog.wordpress.com/2009/04/22/candlemass-death-magic-doom/

“I saw the execution of my tomorrow, saw it and bowed
in the theater of hellfire; the inferno is now.
I am lost again. I lean against the purgatory gates.
To ease my suffering, you’re offering to unlock my fate.”

From the snowscapes of Sweden, the legendary Candlemass are back with a vengeance. With little expectation, the masters of Doom Metal have unleashed a monolithic opus worthy of the title “Death Magic Doom” (perhaps a gibe at Metallica’s “Death Magnetic”).
The opening hymn “If I Ever Die” launches abruptly into the band’s newer, more aggressive style characteristic of their eponymous 2003 rebirth. The instantly memorable first riff sets a higher standard, maintained all the way to the album’s conclusion. Despite their doomy classification, Candlemass aren’t afraid to pick up the pace. This creates dynamic contrasts that diversify the album’s moods. Such creative energy combined with a thick and crushing production creates a relentless showcase welcome to the modern listener. Gone are the atmosphere and reverbed-to-the-max snare drums of “Nightfall.” But this departure doesn’t mean they’ve forgotten their roots and their diehard fans.

This change is most evident in the vocal department. Rob Lowe has at last settled into his new role, matching the music’s more abrasive approach. Messiah Marcolin’s operatics better suited the epic style of the 80’s albums, but seemed out of place on the self-titled album. Lowe, on the other hand, never overpowers the instruments, finding his place within the music rather than in counterpoint to it. Still, he sings his heart out, running the gamut of emotions, from sadness to hatred to malevolence. Though an objectively weaker vocalist, he sounds more human.

And Lowe isn’t the only musician who gives it his all. Jan Lindh’s drumwork is marvelous, ranging from triumphal marches, to rocking grooves to, well, downright doominess! Even after 25 years, Leif Edling perfects the art of the guitar riff from the bass on up. The Dantean lyrical themes, demonstrated at this review’s opening, are nothing original, but appropriate for a band whose works are as timeless (to a true Metal fan) as the Divine Comedy itself.

And that leads us to songwriting. “Death Magic Doom” shines brightest in its choruses, where the time shifts and the anthems ring. This is most apparent in “The Bleeding Baroness” and especially “Dead Angel,” where Lowe, at a haunting pitch, is in dialogue with the lead guitar. One of Candlemass’ classic strengths is the subtle use of synths and samples, here with the hellish bells chiming in the crusher “Hammer of Doom.” All these unique qualities aside, this is a Heavy Metal tour de force.

With this release, their best since 1989’s “Tales of Creation,” the rebirth of Candlemass has reached its triumphant climax, reasserting the band’s place at the pinnacle of Doom Metal and, in the shadow of Black Sabbath, one of the greatest Metal bands of all time.

A few years back, when I first heard that Robert Lowe of Solitude Aeturnus would be taking over the vocals duties in Candlemass following Messiah's departure, I was ecstatic. Don't get me wrong, I love Messiah's vocals, but Lowe easily has him beat in my eyes. So I picked up their first release with Lowe, "King of the Grey Islands", with great expectations. And those expectations were met and exceeded.

And here we are, two years later, and we have a new Candlemass album, the second with Robert handling the vocals. I had been waiting to hear this album ever since I first heard the song samples a few months back. Those were fantastic, and so I had the same hopes for the album in it's entirety. And those hopes were not in vain, as this CD slays.

Opening with another faster somg. "If I Ever Die", the album kicks into gear with the riffs and melodies that you've come to expect from Candlemass. Lowe's vocals soar over the guitars, sounding more organic here than on the previous album. After that first song, the rest of the album is pretty much straight forward doom that Candlemass know how to do. "Hammer of Doom" is a slow, brooding number, reminiscent of Sabbath's self-titled track, getting a bit more up-tempo near the end. "Demon of the Deep" opens softly, telling a story about a kind of sea creature at the depths of the ocean, before escalating the tempo at the end to make a fantastic finish. One of the album's main highlights, "House of a Thousand Voices" lumbers away for a good seven to eight minutes, and wouldn't sound out of place on perhaps "Nightfall" or "Ancient Dreams". "Dead Angel" is a good song, but doesn't quite live up to those that came before it (it is catchy as hell, though). And "Clouds of Dementia" and "My Funeral Dreams finish up the album, the latter not quite reaching the epicness of "Embracing the Styx", but still a fantastic song in it's own right.

The guitars sound as good as ever, the songwriting is inspired, and the lyrics reek of doom. What more could you ask for? Buy this album immediately.

Sweden’s heavy artillery called Candlemass is here again to deliver some Death, Magic, and some pure Doom metal. The second with the fantastic singer Robert Lowe! The bandleader, bassist and songwriter Leif Edling has stated that this is “the best Candlemass album since Nightfall”. A brave statement, and in my opinion not a statement that is spelled reality, but the fact still remains though that “Death Magic Doom” is a fantastic album. Exactly as expected on beforehand, they are continuing to swing the hammer of doom with ease.

Let me first just make it clear that the band is in top form, great performances all over! The heavy, hauling riffs from guitarist Mappe Björkman are lining up one after another, the shrieking guitarsolos from Lasse Johansson, the “Demon of the deep”-bassplayer, Leif does a solid work in the groundwork with his bass, and drummer Jan plays with great feeling as usual. On top of all this, we have the brightest star shining on this album, the before mentioned singer Robert Lowe! He did already on 2007’s “King of the Grey Islands” show that he was the absolutely right choice to take over after Messiah. I did then say that Robert is the best vocalist that have ever sung in this band. On this album, Robert is making it even more concrete. He can do so much with his voice, and still fit in perfectly with the music so frighteningly good. He’s singing with much variation, in all these variating songs and tempos, and is adding a spooky feeling in general to the whole album. One of his best works in his career!

But why isn’t this the best album since “Nightfall”, then? Everything seems to be in order, right? No, because sadly...this album contains one bad song. Yes, that’s actually true! It is titled “Dead Angel”. Sadly, that song is the worst song this band has done since at least the reunion, and I was surprised that Leif could write such a bad song nowadays. Fast, grinding verses (for being C-mass) that really doesn’t do anything, and a very melodic chorus with some cheese threwn in. This song is very diverse from the other ones on the album, and for being Candlemass too at all. It is the “ugly duckling” of the bunch...so it’s not a successful experiment from Leif. But except for that lowdown, at least 6 other doom-gems are delivered. “House of 1000 Voices” with it’s awesome creepy atmosphere, chorus and the album’s best guitar solo is also the best track on here. Almost 8 minutes of perfection. The variating and strong-chorused “The Bleeding Baroness”, the sinister “Demon of The Deep”, the slow and heavy as hell “Hammer of Doom”, the uptempo starter “If I Ever Die” with it’s great riffs and melodies, and the ending doom & gloom-song “My Funeral Dreams” are all awesome ones too. “Clouds of Dementia” is also a good one, but slightly weaker than the greater bunch.

The production is better than the hugely compressed sound of the last C-mass album, even if this one is also a bit compressed. But especially the drums sounds a lot better on here. The guitars also have a rawer and heavier sound, which makes it more pleasant to listen to this album production/sound-wise. But:

Despite that, the production, “Death Magic Doom” doesn’t really reach the same height as it’s dark predecessor (and their best album since the re-union), “King of the Grey Islands”. This album is not far away, but the song “Dead Angel” crushes the big picture a bit. But as i’ve said, this is still a awesome record, and has a strong chance to be the best album of 2009.

3 best songs: “House of 1000 Voices” - “The Bleeding Baroness” - “Hammer of Doom”