ARTIST: Candlemass 

TITLE:  Epicus Doomicus Metallicus

YEAR RELEASED: 1986

CHART ACTION: None

SINGLES: None

OTHER SONGS YOU MAY KNOW:  Nah

LINEUP:  Johan Langqvist, Klas Bergwall, Leif Edling, Mats Bjorkman, Mats Ekstrom

WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT: Doomy Swedes release doom metal band, breaking some ground but losing points with a hired-off-the-street singer.  

SOME WORDS, PHRASES AND CLAUSES ABOUT THIS RECORD: Instead of playing fast fast fast, Candlemass decided they would slow down, to Sabbath sludge tempo, to make their statement. Musically, it worked, as the riffs were powerful and heavy – as heavy as anything in 1986.

The problem was that they had a vision of this doom metal sung by an operating, powerful vocalist. They had trouble filling the slot and finally found Johan Langqvist to fill the slot as they recorded the album. Langqvist wasn’t quite up to the task – his vocals are flat and he doesn’t have the power and captivating voice one needs to be a singer in this kind of band.

Still, the album put Candlemass on the map, and set the stage for their next album which would turn the heads of metal fans everywhere.

NOTES & MINUTIAE: When they recorded this album, Edling was the only original member, and they had gone through three rhythm guitarists, two lead guitarists and two drummers.

IS THERE A DELUXE VERSION: Yes, a live set of the album recorded by a later version of the band.

GRADE: C+:  Historically, it’s a keeper, but the vocalist really matters for this band.