Candlemass | Black Star | Napalm Records

 

 Candlemass was formed in 1984 by bassist and primary songwriter Leif Edling, quickly becoming one of the most important bands in the development of epic doom metal. Their 1986 debut, “Epicus Doomicus Metallicus,” laid the groundwork for the genre, characterized by grand, slow-paced riffs, theatrical vocals, and themes of mortality and mysticism. Over four decades, the band has gone through several lineup changes but remained a pillar in doom metal, continuing to release music that resonates with both long-time followers and newer audiences. With Johan Länquist—original vocalist from their debut—returning to the fold in recent years, Candlemass has embraced its legacy without stagnation.

“Black Star,” released by Napalm Records, is a concise four-track EP released to commemorate the band’s 40th anniversary. It offers two new compositions and two reverent covers that underline the band’s lineage and devotion to traditional heavy music.

The title track, “Black Star,” opens with a solemn pace and contemplative melodic weight. The arrangement is deliberate and unfussy, structured around steady riff cycles that feel heavy but measured. Johan Länquist delivers a performance filled with control and maturity, his vocals shaped by time rather than worn by it. The lyrical tone leans toward despair but avoids melodrama, instead moving with a poetic steadiness fitting for the band’s approach.

“Corridors Of Chaos” follows with a shift in focus. An instrumental track that leans into the older, hard rock and early metal traditions, it operates more as a thematic interlude than a climactic piece. Lars Johansson plays with restraint and clarity, keeping the tone grounded and the lead work textured rather than ornamental.

Their interpretation of “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath” is neither revisionist nor overly faithful. The essence of the original is retained, but the delivery is slower and more grave. The song’s layers are pulled back slightly, emphasizing a colder, darker edge. The choice not to mimic Ozzy Osbourne’s vocal inflections works in its favor—Länquist makes it his own without straying into imitation.

The final track, “Forever My Queen,” honors Pentagram’s early proto-doom aesthetic with a more metallic and fully amplified tone. It's tighter, denser, and sounds more contemporary, but the raw energy of the original is kept intact. Rather than overworking the arrangement, Candlemass respects the song’s brevity and punch.

“Black Star” is not a monumental release, but it is meaningful. It reflects the band’s history without collapsing into nostalgia. The production, overseen by Marcus Jidell, is detailed and balanced, not seeking volume but clarity. Ronny Lahti’s mix is dry but not thin, and Patrick W. Engel’s mastering at Temple Of Disharmony gives the EP a crisp finish that avoids excessive compression.

For a band reaching four decades, “Black Star” is a modest and focused offering. It reaffirms Candlemass as elder statesmen who continue to walk their own path with purpose.

Score: 8.2