Swedish doom metal legends Candlemass announce new full-length album »Sweet Evil Sun« and premiere a music video for the first single »Scandinavian Gods«
Swedish doom metal legends Candlemass have announced their new full-length album, »Sweet Evil Sun«, which will be released on November 18th, 2022 via Napalm Records.
Watch a music video for the first single »Scandinavian Gods« below!
Tracklist:
01. Wizard Of The Vortex
02. Sweet Evil Sun
03. Angel Battle
04. Black Butterfly
05. When Death Sighs (feat. Avatarium)
06. Scandinavian Gods
07. Devil Voodoo
08. Crucified
09. Goddess
10. A Cup Of Coffin (Outro)
Courtesy of Napalm Records:
Clocking in almost four decades, it’s no stretch to say that Grammy-nominated Swedish epic doom legends Candlemass are still one of the heaviest metal bands on earth. As the godfathers of epic doom metal, the band defined the genre with releases such as »Epicus Doomicus Metallicus« (1986) and »Nightfall« (1987). Through their evil riffs, crushing rhythmic attack and dramatic vocals, they changed the landscape of metal worldwide. Reunited with outstanding original vocalist Johan Langquist, the band around founding member Leif Edling finds its way back to its roots and finally delivers the long awaited, earth-shaking new full-length album, »Sweet Evil Sun«, out November 18, 2022 via Napalm Records.
Pre-order your copy of »Sweet Evil Sun« NOW!
After working on this massive piece of art for 18 months in total, with »Sweet Evil Sun«, Candlemass brings back all the grandness of their early years, exploring themes of ambition and strife, hope and failure. Opening track »Wizard Of The Vortex« instantly casts a spell with a riff so powerful, the listener is immediately ensnared. Title track »Sweet Evil Sun« kicks in with warning guitar feedback before sludging a heavy-as-hell riff as Johan Langquist deftly warbles through melancholic, beckoning passages and a hooky chorus. His imposing vocals fit each riff and tone perfectly, emerging as an instrument in itself. The dark, classic rock-tinged Nordic metal anthem »Scandinavian Gods« reveals a perfect musical interaction between slow and heavy drums, droning guitars and majestic vocals as they convey mysterious tales of Scandinavian mythology to the next generation of doom lovers.
Photo by Linda Akerberg
Jennie-Ann Smith (Avatarium) lends her beautiful voice to the theatrical, grim »When Death Sighs«, creating a shimmering, intermingled chorus duet eventually backed by rising organs and a marching rhythm. The haunting atmosphere is highlighted by an amazing guitar solo that reads like a story as it bends and descends, marking the sign of death on the listener’s door. It comes as no surprise that, alongside the band, renowned producer Marcus Jidell captured the band’s massive, smoky guitar tones, powerful drums and larger-than-life vocals, offering a truly unique, high quality sonic experience. The artwork for »Sweet Evil Sun« was illustrated with the skilled hand of Erik Rovanperä, the architect behind Candlemass’ visual style since »Psalms For The Dead« (2012).
Leif Edling on the new album: “»Sweet Evil Sun« is about hope, striving, adoration and failure. It’s about all the personal battles that you have, but also the never-ending decay of humanity.
The record took over a year to make and there’s not a bad track on it! We had a fantastic time recording it and are really looking forward to the release. It’s Doom, It’s Metal! It is the essence of Candlemass put into one album!”
Recorded at NOX studio in Stockholm, Sweden, »Sweet Evil Sun« impressively showcases that, after almost 40 years in the game, the creativity of these Swedish doom masters sees no bounds. Through the power of wall-shaking riffs, incredible vocal performances and the blood and spirit of classic heavy metal, »Sweet Evil Sun« shines as a masterpiece of impending legend that truly honors the epic doom metal cult of Candlemass.
»Sweet Evil Sun« will be available in the following formats:
• Ltd. Die Hard Vinyl Box (Napalm Shop only)
• 2LP Gatefold Sun Yellow (Napalm Shop only)
• 2LP Gatefold Black
• 2LP Gatefold Purple
• 1CD 6pp Digisleeve
• CD Digisleeve + Shirt Bundle
• Digital Album
Experience Candlemass live in 2022:
19.08.22 DK – Næstved / Næstved Metalfest
20.08.22 NL – Eindhoven / Ijssportcentrum
22.10.22 SE – Sundsvall / Nordfest
30.10.22 BE – Gent / Desertfest Ghent
19.11.22 DE – Würzburg / Hammer of Doom
Candlemass are:
Leif Edling – Bass
Mats “Mappe” Björkman – Guitars
Jan Lindh – Drums
Lars Johansson – Guitars
Johan Längquist – Vocals
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well