Candlemass Announce Return of Johan Längquist
Epicus doomicus, indeed. How about a 32-year journey that’s led to original Candlemass vocalist Johan Längquist rejoining the band? Simply amazing. Längquist only sang on one album — the first, 1986’s Epicus Doomicus Metallicus — but that’s been enough to cement a legacy that continues to resonate to this day. So does Längquist still have it? Yes he absolutely fucking does.
I know this because I was fortunate enough to see Candlemass perform a one-off set at Roadburn 2011 celebrating their 25th anniversary that included Längquist returning to perform their debut in its entirety. It was incredible. His voice, spot on. His stage presence, masterful. It was the Main Stage of the 013, which even before the redux on the venue was not at all a small room, and he absolutely killed it on that material. I can’t wait to hear what he brings to the next Candlemass album. If you don’t want to take my word for it on how incredible that show was, you can always try chasing down the vinyl (review here) they released afterward.
Candlemass has been fronted by vocalist Mats Levén since 2012 when he took over for Robert Lowe (also of Solitude Aeturnus), who had stepped into the band following their split with Messiah Marcolin in 2006. Lowe was still in the band when they released their last full-length, 2012’s Psalms for the Dead (review here), though Levén handled vocals on 2016’s Death Thy Lover EP (review here) and this year’s game/EP House of Doom.
A new long-player has reportedly already been in the works with the songwriting of bassist Leif Edling as ever at the band’s core, and it looks like Längquist will step back into the role of vocalist for the recording as well.
The band announced it thusly:
CANDLEMASS – THE RETURN TO DOOM!!
EPICUS DOOMICUS METALLICUS SINGER JOHAN LANGQUIST IS BACK IN CANDLEMASS
Shocking news! EPICUS singer Johan Langquist is back after a 32 year hiatus replacing Mats Levén who’s been with the band since 2012. This is right in the middle of recording the new album. What happened?
“We wanted to find our way back to the roots of Candlemass, back to the soul and essence of the band. Johan Langquist is back and we hope this will give us some new energy and kickstart the heart of doom again. We don’t know if it will last 10 more years or even 5, but if it will give us just another year of having fun and playing the music that we love so much, it will be a blast! The circle is closed, Johan is back!”
More news will follow soon….
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Honestly I was really skeptical of the idea of Candlemass doing another album after their announcement related to Psalms For The Dead and the EPs with Leven arent great.
However this is good news. I’m willing to give this a shot.