Candlemass
| a.k.a. | ex-Nemesis |
|---|---|
| Country | Sweden |
| Formed | 1984, Stockholm, Stockholms län, Sweden |
| Genres | Epic Doom Metal |
| Labels | Active Records, Music for Nations, Nuclear Blast Records, Napalm Records |
| Years active | 1982-1984 (Nemesis), 1984-1994, 1997-2002, 2004-present |
| Website |
Line-up (members)
- Leif Edling : Bass (1985-1994, 1997-2002, 2004-present), Vocals (1985-1986)
- Mappe Björkman : Rhythm Guitars (1985-1994, 2001-2002, 2004-present)
- Johan Langquist : Vocals (1986, 2018-present)
- Jan Lindh : Drums (1987-1994, 2001-2002, 2004-present)
- Lars Johansson : Lead Guitars (1987-1994, 2001-2002, 2004-present)
Former members
- Kjell Svensson : Guitars
- Matz Ekström : Drums (1985-1986)
- Christian Weberyd : Guitars (1985)
- Johnny Reinholm : Guitars, Drums (1985)
- Messiah Marcolin : Vocals (1986-1991, 2001-2002, 2004-2006)
- Mike Wead : Guitars (1987)
- Thomas Vikström : Vocals (1992-1994)
- Jejo Perković : Drums (1998-2001)
- Michael Amott : Guitars (1998)
- Mats Ståhl : Guitars (1998-2001)
- Carl Westholm : Keyboards (1998)
- Björn Flodkvist : Vocals (1998-2001)
- Tony Martin : Vocals (2004)
- Robert Lowe : Vocals (2006-2012)
- Mats Levén : Vocals (2015-2018)
Touring members
- Stafen Englin : Drums (2025-present)
- Mats Levén : Vocals (2006, 2012-2015)
- Johan Langquist : Vocals (2007, 2011)
- Jörgen Sandström : Guitars (2010), Bass (2015-2019)
- Peter Stjärnvind : Guitars (2010)
- Marcus Jidell : Guitars (2012, 2018-2019)
- Per Wiberg : Keyboards (2012-2019), Bass (2014-2019)
- Olle Dahlstedt : Drums (2013, 2014, 2023)
- Lord K. Philipson : Bass (2016-2019), Guitars (2018-2019)
- Fredrik Åkesson : Guitars (2023)
- Messiah Marcolin : Vocals (2025)
Album Photos (40)
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Candlemass Discography
Candlemass Videos
Candlemass Lists
(2)
Candlemass Photos
 Candlemass |  Candlemass |  Candlemass |  Candlemass |
Candlemass Photos (12)
Best Candlemass Songs
| Rank | Song | Album | Rating | Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Solitude | Epicus Doomicus Metallicus (1986) | 95 | 9 |
| 2 | Crystal Ball | Epicus Doomicus Metallicus (1986) | 94.4 | 8 |
| 3 | At the Gallows End | Nightfall (1987) | 93.6 | 7 |
| 4 | Demons Gate | Epicus Doomicus Metallicus (1986) | 93.1 | 8 |
| 5 | Bewitched | Nightfall (1987) | 93.1 | 8 |
| 6 | The Well of Souls | Nightfall (1987) | 92.9 | 7 |
| 7 | Mirror Mirror | Ancient Dreams (1988) | 93.3 | 6 |
| 8 | A Sorcerer's Pledge | Epicus Doomicus Metallicus (1986) | 91.9 | 8 |
| 9 | Under the Oak | Tales of Creation (1989) | 93.8 | 4 |
| 10 | The Bells of Acheron | Ancient Dreams (1988) | 92.5 | 6 |
| 11 | A Tale of Creation | Tales of Creation (1989) | 93 | 5 |
| 12 | Black Stone Wielder | Epicus Doomicus Metallicus (1986) | 91.3 | 8 |
| 13 | Samarithan | Nightfall (1987) | 91.7 | 6 |
| 14 | Darkness in Paradise | Ancient Dreams (1988) | 91.7 | 6 |
| 15 | Tears | Tales of Creation (1989) | 92.5 | 4 |
Additional notes
Originators of the epic doom metal style.
Candlemass perhaps got its earliest start in 1982 when several of its members-to-be were in a band called Nemesis. After ten years together, Candlemass split up in 1994, but Leif Edling resurrected the band in 1997 for Dactylis Glomerata because labels weren't interested in his new band, Abstrakt Algebra. The classic lineup reunited in 2001.
2012's Psalms for the Dead was announced as their last studio album. Afterward, they continued to perform live, and eventually another full-length, The Door to Doom, was recorded in 2018.
Robert Lowe was fired in June 2012, due to poor live performances. Mats Levén was announced as a live replacement, who however went on to record two EPs with them.
Johan Langquist sang on their debut as a guest, auditioned to join in 1991 (but did not), and performed live with the band on occasion, usually when they played Epicus Doomicus Metallicus in its entirety. He finally joined in 2018.
Carl Westholm was part of Candlemass' official line-up in 1998, and often provides keyboard parts on their albums.
At the 2014 Roadburn Festival in Holland, they performed Ancient Dreams in its entirety. Alan Averill joined them on stage to sing "Incarnation of Evil".
In November 2014, Leif Edling announced he would be taking a year off the band's activities for health reasons. Keyboard player Per Wiberg deputized on bass, with Jörgen Sandström filling in when Per could not.
In 2016, Metal Hammer released Epicus Doomicus Hellenicus - 30th Year Anniversary - A Tribute To Candlemass, a complete re-recording of Candlemass' debut album by Greek doom metal bands.
Candlemass perhaps got its earliest start in 1982 when several of its members-to-be were in a band called Nemesis. After ten years together, Candlemass split up in 1994, but Leif Edling resurrected the band in 1997 for Dactylis Glomerata because labels weren't interested in his new band, Abstrakt Algebra. The classic lineup reunited in 2001.
2012's Psalms for the Dead was announced as their last studio album. Afterward, they continued to perform live, and eventually another full-length, The Door to Doom, was recorded in 2018.
Robert Lowe was fired in June 2012, due to poor live performances. Mats Levén was announced as a live replacement, who however went on to record two EPs with them.
Johan Langquist sang on their debut as a guest, auditioned to join in 1991 (but did not), and performed live with the band on occasion, usually when they played Epicus Doomicus Metallicus in its entirety. He finally joined in 2018.
Carl Westholm was part of Candlemass' official line-up in 1998, and often provides keyboard parts on their albums.
At the 2014 Roadburn Festival in Holland, they performed Ancient Dreams in its entirety. Alan Averill joined them on stage to sing "Incarnation of Evil".
In November 2014, Leif Edling announced he would be taking a year off the band's activities for health reasons. Keyboard player Per Wiberg deputized on bass, with Jörgen Sandström filling in when Per could not.
In 2016, Metal Hammer released Epicus Doomicus Hellenicus - 30th Year Anniversary - A Tribute To Candlemass, a complete re-recording of Candlemass' debut album by Greek doom metal bands.
