Candlemass – King of The Grey Islands

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Nuclear Blast
Produced by Leif Edling & Candlemass

Reported tension late last year between singer Messiah Marcolin and the rest of the band seemed to put their new album on hold, but fears were allayed with a post on the bands website confirming that Messiah would be singing on the record after all.

The announcement was a strange one. It made it sound like Messiah was being hired to do it, rather than being a part of the band, and no mention was made of touring. Then in October the announcement came that Messiah was out of the band. Speculation mounted on a replacement, and the most popular choice amongst fans seemed to be Robert Lowe of Solitude Aeturnus, although former Candlemass singer Johan Langqvist was also widely requested.

In January this year another announcement named Lowe as the new singer and the band moved fast to record the new album. Lowe’s arrival was welcomed by fans and although he’s not quite got the same operatic range as Marcolin, his slightly grittier style adds a certain ominous overtone to the trademark doom riffs that can often be missing from some older material.

King of The Grey Islands is not as heavy as Candlemass, the reunion album with Marcolin released in 2005. There seems to be a greater emphasis on structure than on straight-ahead, crushing doom. Opening intro Prologue is a beautiful acoustic instrumental which leads nicely into the frantic wah-loaded riffs of Emperor of The Void. Opening shows with this will be immense. It’s one of those mid-paced, doomy-yet-catchy numbers Candlemass pioneered in the first place.

The other type of trademark Candlemass track comes next in the shape of Devil Seed. Starting with a slow Black Sabbath (the song) riff and Lowe’s ominous vocals which are clearly building to a big twin-guitar blast of the same riff between verses. It’s a simple technique. About as simple as it gets. But it’s incredibly effective. The chorus is such a guaranteed head-banger bookies would call it a dead cert.

Of Stars And Smoke offers something new. A seemingly typical riff opens, echoed by a second guitar on the second run through and joined by bass and drums thereafter, it seems to pick up where Demon Seed left off. Lowe’s vocals are similar as well. But in the chorus we get a much more melodic Candlemass, backed by what sound like choral voices. It’s a sing-a-long kind of thing that we’re not really used to from them. Don’t read this as “they’ve sold out” or “they’ve gone soft” or anything like that. It’s different in a good way and the solo will seal the deal beyond question.

Then the most immediately appealing riff; the grooving monster of Demonia 6. Another trademark mid-paced stomper like Emperor of The Void, but a less effect-driven riff give it an additional touch of groove. Lowe turns in another great performance, his voice giving the Candlemass sound something fresh.

Later, Clearsight is perhaps the album’s weakest link. It’s another slower track, but without much going for it. It lacks the big impact parts that Devil Seed has, and the vocal melodies aren’t that interesting either. The wonderful outro solo saves it from being complete filler, though. Finally The Opal City has a riff, melody and pace that sound like the material on Candlemass, perhaps written around the same time and intended for Messiah to sing, and closer Embracing The Styx has a bit of everything; fast parts, slow parts, big riffs and great solos. A perfect ending.

Any worries that Candlemass couldn’t go on an produce another great album without Messiah were unfounded. Although perhaps not their best work of all time, they’ve shown why they’re the most revered band in doom metal and produced another genre classic.

“ a guaranteed head-banger ”

Tracklist: Prologue / Emperor of The Void / Devil Seed / Of Stars And Smoke / Demonia 6 / Destroyer / Man of Shadows / Clearsight / The Opal City / Embracing The Styx
Special Edition Bonus Tracks: Solitude / At The Gallows End
Vinyl Bonus Track: Edgar Grey
Nuclear Blast Store Exclusive Bonus CD: Black Dwarf / Demonia 6 (Early Version)

Written by Andy Lye
More: Albums, Doom Metal, Candlemass