Candlemass - Candlemass

I was able to see doom metal pioneers Candlemass on their last tour of the U.S. back in 1991. Good stuff. The band broke up after that tour. Well, technically, singer Messiah Marcolin left the band which, for me, means the band broke up. Then, a few years ago, Messiah re-joined the band for a reunion tour. Things looked good for a new album, some demos were cut...and then the band broke up...only to get back together several months later. What did all that turmoil produce? How about the best album of their career, the self-titled Candlemass. Messiah's voice, for the unwashed, is this quasi-operatic force of nature. The first time I heard it I didn't know what to think but I was definitely drawn to it (I actually went back to the CD store to sample Ancient Dreams several times before I finally bought it). Now that you have been forewarned, the new album is filled with the band's trademark doomy sound but it is even heavier than before. If you are a fan, don't worry, just get the new album. If you are curious about the band, this is a great place to start. Check out Black Dwarf and Witches.