Candlemass

Biography

This Swedish doom metal quintet formed in 1985, and originally comprised Leif Edling (bass), Mats Bjorkman (guitar), Johan Lanquist (vocals), and Matz Ekstrom (drums). The band was based around chief songwriter Edling, who had previously played (alongside Weberyd) in Nemesis. Following the release of Epicus Doomicus Metallicus, Jan Lindh, Lasse Johansson and Messiah Marcolin joined on drums, guitar and vocals respectively. During live performances, Marcolin dressed in a monk’s habit, and his deep, bellowing tones added a touch of mystique to the band’s style, which combined elements of Black Sabbath, Black Widow and Mercyful Fate. 1987’s Nightfall, their most accomplished work, fused crushing rhythms with delicate, neo-classical interludes to startling effect. Their fourth album Tales Of Creation evidenced that the band afforded a larger recording budget with new label Music For Nations. However, their approach had become rather formularized by this...

Read the Full Biography of Candlemass