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Biography
refimprove|date=August 2009: This article is about the band Candlemass, for the Christian feast day, see Candlemas . Infobox musical artist|name = Candlemass |image = Candlemass-Live-Wacken 2010.jpg |caption = Candlemass performing live at Wacken Open Air in August 2010 |image_size = |background = group_or_band |alias = |origin = Stockholm , Sweden |instrument = |genre = Doom metal |occupation = |years_active = 1984& ndash;1994 1997& ndash;2002 2004& ndash;present |label = Capitol Records|Capitol , Metal Blade Records|Metal Blade , Restless Records|Restless , Nuclear Blast , Napalm Records |associated_acts = Solitude Aeturnus , Krux , Abstrakt Algebra , Therion (band)|Therion , Memento Mori (band)|Memento Mori |website = http://www.candlemass.se/ www.candlemass.se|current_members = Robert Lowe (musician)|Robert Lowe Mats Björkman Lars Johansson Leif Edling Jan Lindh |past_members = Johan Längqvist Matz Ekström Thomas Vikström Bjorn Flödkvist Jejo Perkovic Mats Ståhl Carl Westholm Michael Amott Ian Haugland Klas Bergwall Mike Wead Messiah Marcolin Ulf Edelund Patrik Instedt Candlemass are an influential Sweden|Swedish doom metal band established in 1984 by Leif Edling ( bass guitar|bass ), their leader and songwriter. The band is originally from Stockholm . After releasing five full-length albums and touring extensively throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, Candlemass disbanded in 1994, but decided to reform three years later. After breaking up again in 2002, Candlemass reformed in 2004 and have continued to record and perform since then.
Biography
Formation and early career (1984–1990)
After the breakup of his first band Nemesis, bassist Leif Edling started his own band under the name Candlemass with vocalist Johan Längqvist, guitarist Mats Mappe Bjorkman, and drummer Matz Ekström. Their first release, Epicus Doomicus Metallicus (1986), immediately secured their standing, positioning the band within metal circles, setting a milestone in the doom metal scene.Allmusic|class=artist|id=p3827/biography|pure_url=yes allmusic ((( Candlemass > Biography ))) Längqvist only recorded that one album with Candlemass, however. His successor as frontman, Messiah Marcolin , joined the band for their second effort, Nightfall (album)|Nightfall , in 1987. Two other new members appeared on this album: lead guitarist Lars Johansson and drummer Jan Lindh.
Candlemass's next two albums were Ancient Dreams (1988) and Tales of Creation (1989). In 1990, the band released a live album Live (Candlemass album)|Live . Shortly afterward, a dispute between the band members resulted in Messiah Marcolin's departure.
New singer-era, hiatus and first reunion (1991–2003)
After Marcolin left, Candlemass recruited vocalist Thomas Vikström and recorded Chapter VI (album)|Chapter VI (1992). The band then toured in support of that album. By 1994, Candlemass had called it quits, partly because Chapter VI was unsuccessful Citation needed|date=March 2007 and partially because Edling had formed another project under the name of Abstrakt Algebra . With Abstrakt Algebra not doing well, Leif suddenly recruited a new line-up under the name of Candlemass and recorded the album Dactylis Glomerata ,Citation needed|reason=Sept. 2008|date=September 2008 which was a combination of songs for a new Abstrakt Algebra CD and some new material.Citation needed|reason=Sept. 2008|date=September 2008 A year later the album From the 13th Sun was released.
In 2002, the members of a past Candlemass line-up reunited. They performed some well-received live showscitation needed|date = January 2010 and released another live album. Other albums released by the reformed band were remaster ed versions of Epicus Doomicus Metallicus, Nightfall, Ancient Dreams , and Tales of Creation . A DVD called Documents of Doom was released as well. The band was working on a new album and recorded some new songs while searching for a record label when differences arose again, resulting in Candlemass disbanding a second time. In the meantime, Leif Edling started a new project, Krux , with former Abstrakt Algebra singer Mats Levén and two members of Entombed (band)|Entombed .
Second reunion (2004–2006)
In November 2004, the band announced that they had re-united for the second time. They had recorded a new album, named simply Candlemass , with the same line-up. It was released in May 2005. They won a Swedish Grammy for it in 2005.
In 2006 the band announced that a new album was in preparation, to be released sometime in 2007. In October 2006, after much uncertainty regarding Messiah Marcolin's participation, it was settled that Messiah was out for good.
Robert Lowe-era (2007–present)
Candlemass found a new vocalist, Robert Lowe (musician)|Robert Lowe ( Solitude Aeturnus ), http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx? mode=Article& newsitemID=65731 Blabbermouth.Net – Candlemass Taps Solitude Aeturnus Singer To Replace Messiah Marcolin http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx? mode=Article& newsitemID=65732 BLABBERMOUTH.NET – SOLITUDE AETURNUS Guitarist Comments On Singer Joining CANDLEMASS who recorded with the band's ninth album King of the Grey Islands , which was released on June 22, 2007. The album is self-produced except for four songs produced by Andy Sneap .cite news|url= http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx? mode=Article& newsitemID=60478|title=Candlemass: 'metal, doom and garlic'|publisher= Blabbermouth.net |date=2006-10-18|accessdate=2006-10-19
On March 31, 2007, Candlemass celebrated a slightly delayed twentieth anniversary. To commemorate the celebration, original singer Johan Längqvist appeared live with the band for the first time. The event was recorded and later released as a DVD.
Mats "Mappe" Bjorkman was sentenced to serve two years behind bars for grand theft in March 2008. He has been convicted of stealing over 35,000 CDs and DVDs priced at around 3 million Sek (Around $500,000).Realtid.se: http://www.realtid.se/ArticlePages/200803/20/20080320124851_Realtid685/20080320124851_Realtid685.dbp.asp Känd svensk gitarrist fick fängelse Aftonbladet : http://www.aftonbladet.se/nojesliv/article2092521.ab Musiker dömd till fängelse
Candlemass worked on a tenth studio album in 2008. It was intended to be titled Hammer of Doom , but they renamed it to Death Magic Doom because the name coincided with a German festival. http://www.candlemass.se/candlemass/2008/12/01/candlemass-new-album-finally-mixed/ Candlemass new album finally mixed! The album was scheduled to be released on March 27, 2009, but it was delayed until April the 3rd 2009. http://www.metalstorm.ee/events/news_comments.php? news_id=7975 Candlemass - New Album Details: News @ metalstorm.ee
In 2009, bassist Leif Edling told Soundshock that work on the next Candlemass album would likely begin before 2011. http://www.soundshock.co.uk/index.php/feature-band-interviews/955-candlemass-interview-by-soundshocknet Candlemass Interview However, this plan fell through, and Leif has stated that the album's release date will be pushed back to 2012, in order for the band concentrate on the 25th anniversary of their 1986 debut Epicus Doomicus Metallicus . http://www.hrrecords.de/high_roller/sites/release_detail.php? relno=155 CANDLEMASS – Don't Fear The Reaper 12"
On October 14, 2011, it was announced that Candlemass were signed to the Austrian label Napalm Records , who will release their final studio album Psalms for the Dead in June 2012. http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx? mode=Article& newsitemID=164642 Candlemass Signs With Napalm Records For Farewell Album http://legacy.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx? mode=Article& newsitemID=171295 Candlemass: New Album Title, Cover Artwork Revealed Despite this, bassist Leif Edling has said that the band will not split up and they want to stop before they "get too old and start putting out half-lame albums." http://legacy.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx? mode=Article& newsitemID=170214 Candlemass Leader: 'We're Not Splitting Up'
Band members
Current
Robert Lowe (musician)|Robert Lowe & ndash; lead vocals (2006& ndash;present)
Lars Johansson & ndash; lead guitars (1987& ndash;1994, 2002, 2004& ndash;present)
''No Sleep 'til Athens'' (2010) http://www.discogs.com/Candlemass-No-Sleep-Til-Athens/release/2903793 Candlemass– No Sleep 'Til Athens discogs.com. Retrieved on 2011-08-16.
Ashes to Ashes (2010) http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx? mode=Article& newsitemID=136927 Candlemass: 'Ashes To Ashes - Live' DVD To Receive U.S. Release In June blabbermouth.net. 2010-03-18. Retrieved on 2011-08-16.
Compilation albums
As It Is, As It Was (1994)
Black Heart of Candlemass (2002)
Diamonds of Doom (2003) (limited vinyl record)
Essential Doom (2004)
Dactylis Glomerata & Abstrakt Algebra II (previously unreleased album) (2008)
