Johan Langquist The Castle | Johan Langquist The Castle | I Hate Records

 

    Johan Langquist, known as the original voice behind Candlemass' “Epicus Doomicus Metallicus” and as frontman of Swedish heavy/doom act Jonah Quizz, returns under his own banner: Johan Langquist The Castle. After decades contributing to the roots and continuation of Scandinavian heavy and doom metal, Johan has now forged a personal path. The debut album under this new name began as an independent digital release in 2024 before finding a physical home via I Hate Records. Rather than remaining a solo or studio effort, Johan Langquist The Castle is planned as a full band with live ambitions and future releases in the works.

Johan Langquist The Castle is steeped in the dramatic grandeur and melodic power of a specific era: a sound built on traditional heavy metal with heavy touches of doom. The album carries a direct lineage from the melodic complexity of Rainbow and the theatrical heaviness of Dio, wrapped in a Swedish sense of melancholy that has long run through Langquist’s past work. There is no pretense here—this is heavy music built on songwriting and character.

The production is organic, with plenty of space for each element to breathe. Langquist’s voice remains expressive and powerful, delivering verses and choruses with maturity and strength. The guitars are rich in tone and grounded in classic metal traditions, while the rhythm section gives the songs a solid, purposeful drive. A careful use of keyboards and background vocals adds a sense of breadth without tipping into excess.

Despite the album’s nod to vintage influences, it doesn’t feel static or bound by nostalgia. The songs are focused, with memorable structures and dynamics. The moods range from sorrowful reflection to fiery determination. Moments of grandeur meet stripped-down heaviness, and the interplay between male and female vocals adds color and depth; especially in the opening track, "Eye Of Death," the soprano vocals are magnificent.

At just under 42 minutes, the album flows well from beginning to end. Its pacing avoids monotony, balancing mid-tempo burners with more somber passages. There’s an evident care in the sequencing and overall tone that gives the album a unified character.

Johan Langquist The Castle is neither flashy nor concerned with trends. Instead, it’s rooted in an honest, timeless form of heavy metal that values emotional weight and melody. It doesn’t overreach, but it doesn’t play it safe either. It stands tall on its own merits and gives the listener exactly what its title promises—an entrance into Johan Langquist’s own castle of dreams.

Score: 8.0