I had a cool chat with Johan Längqvist of Swedish Doom Legends, CANDLEMASS, about the seminal album, ‘Epicus Doomicus Metallicus’, as well as rejoining recently and the excellent upcoming album, ‘Sweet Evil Sun’. Check it out.
CANDLEMASS
Sweet Evil Sun
Release Date: 18.11.2022
US Grammy-nominated epic doom legends CANDLEMASS return to their roots with the
supreme Sweet Evil Sun!
Clocking in almost four decades, it’s no stretch to say that Grammy-nominated Swedish epic
doom legends CANDLEMASS are still one of the heaviest metal bands on earth. As the
godfathers of epic doom metal, the band defined the genre with releases such as Epicus
Doomicus Metallicus (1986) and Nightfall (1987). Through their evil riffs, crushing rhythmic
attack and dramatic vocals, they changed the landscape of metal worldwide. Reunited with
outstanding original vocalist Johan Langquist, the band around founding member Leif Edling
finds its way back to its roots and finally delivers the long awaited, earth-shaking new full-length
album, Sweet Evil Sun, out November 18, 2022 via Napalm Records.
After working on this massive piece of art for 18 months in total, with Sweet Evil Sun,
CANDLEMASS brings back all the grandness of their early years, exploring themes of ambition
and strife, hope and failure. Opening track “Wizard Of The Vortex” instantly casts a spell with a
riff so powerful, the listener is immediately ensnared. Title track “Sweet Evil Sun” kicks in with
warning guitar feedback before sludging a heavy-as-hell riff as Johan Langquist deftly warbles
through melancholic, beckoning passages and a hooky chorus. His imposing vocals fit each riff
and tone perfectly, emerging as an instrument in itself. The dark, classic rock-tinged Nordic
metal anthem “Scandinavian Gods” reveals a perfect musical interaction between slow and
heavy drums, droning guitars and majestic vocals as they convey mysterious tales of
Scandinavian mythology to the next generation of doom lovers. Jennie-Ann Smith (Avatarium)
lends her beautiful voice to the theatrical, grim “When Death Sighs”, creating a shimmering,
intermingled chorus duet eventually backed by rising organs and a marching rhythm. The
haunting atmosphere is highlighted by an amazing guitar solo that reads like a story as it bends
and descends, marking the sign of death on the listener’s door. It comes as no surprise that,
alongside the band, renowned producer Marcus Jidell captured the band’s massive, smoky
guitar tones, powerful drums and larger-than-life vocals, offering a truly unique, high quality
sonic experience. The artwork for Sweet Evil Sun was illustrated with the skilled hand of Erik
Rovanperä, the architect behind CANDLEMASS’ visual style since Psalms for the Dead (2012)
Recorded at NOX studio in Stockholm, Sweden, Sweet Evil Sun impressively showcases that,
after almost 40 years in the game, the creativity of these Swedish doom masters sees no
bounds. Through the power of wall-shaking riffs, incredible vocal performances and the blood
and spirit of classic heavy metal, Sweet Evil Sun shines as a masterpiece of impending legend
that truly honors the epic doom metal cult of CANDLEMASS.
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