Plenty of exciting & intriguing things going on with this latest release from Swedish doom legends Candlemass, so let's take a look at them one by one.
First, it's been nearly seven years since the bands last full length studio release, Psalms for the Dead.
Second, The Door to Doom marks the official debut of vocalist Johan Längqvist as a member of Candlemass, who appeared on the bands first album Epicus Doomicus Metallicus way back in 1986 but only as a guest singer, he was never offered the vocal spot that was eventually given to Messiah Marcolin.
Third, The Door to Doom features a guest appearance by none other than Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath, who contributes lead guitar to one song on the album. It must have been quite a thrill for the band to have one of their main influences appear on this release!
Will all that, there's quite a lot to look forward to on The Door to Doom, and the album more than meets expectations, and then some. Quite frankly, this is the strongest Candlemass album in years, Längqvist fitting right in after his initial stop for coffee with the band over 30 years ago. With all the back-and-forth between Marcolin, Robert Lowe, and Mats Leven in recent years, Johan proves ready and willing to take on the mantle now, and he's in fine form throughout the album, immediately making his presence known on potent opener "Splendor Demon Majesty", and continuing on the crushing doom gem "Under the Ocean", his soaring vocals saddling up next to some monstrous riffs courtesy of Mats "Mappe" Björkman & Lars Johansson. Lead guitarist Johansson strikes up some sizzling solos alongside Iommi (you instantly know it's him!) on the menacing "Astorolus-The Great Octopus", while the moody and atmospheric "Bridge of the Blind" brings some acoustic textures, keyboards, and gorgeous vocals in for a relaxing few minutes before the bruising attack commences. "Death's Wheel" signals the arrival of the second half of the album, Längqvist spewing his venom over some massive riffs and pounding drums, another absolutely crushing track here, and that's followed by the equally bruising "Black Trinity", a killer dirge that again shows why bassist Leif Edling is one of the best doom metal writers on the planet...this guy can create some sick riffs folks! "House of Doom" kicks off as if a homage to Sabbath's classic "Black Sabbath", complete with church bell, rain, and thunder, before the band rampages in with an uptempo metal arrangement, Johan weaving his spell over thunderous riffs, and the album closes with the chilling "The Omega Circle", vintage sounding Candlemass, chock full of powerful vocals shooting to the heavens over pulverizing riffs and heavy drumming, Lars even tossing in a sizzling lead guitar solo for good measure, and some folky acoustic guitar to add texture. Mind blowing stuff!
In the end, The Door to Doom is just so damn powerful, breathtakingly gorgeous, expertly produced, and sure to be one of the best doom releases to come out in 2019, if not one of the best albums period. Miss this one at your own peril!
Track Listing
1 - Splendor Demon Majesty 5:29
2 - Under The Ocean 6:13
3 - Astorolus - The Great Octopus 6:43
4 - Bridge Of The Blind 3:44
5 - Death's Wheel 6:51
6 - Black Trinity 6:05
7 - House Of Doom 6:27
8 - The Omega Circle 7:17
Printer Friendly Page
Send to a Friend
