I don’t think anybody foresaw Candlemass topping their 2005 self titled reunion album with Messiah Marcolin back at the mic.  I know I didn’t its one of their strongest albums.  But I’ll be damned…“Death Magic Doom” is perfect. 

Candlemass deservedly are known for those classic doom masterpieces “Nightfall”, “Ancient Dreams”, and “Tales Of Creation” from the 80s but they surely don’t have the sonic our crushing quality “Death Magic Doom” possesses.  I mean this album is brilliant and with Rob Lowe (who also sings for Solitude Aeturnus) on vocals it adds even more of an ominous spirituality to the music that Messiah never really brought to the table because of his monotone range and delivery.  Rob is the fraternal twin Ronnie James Dio (Dio, Black Sabbath, Rainbow) never, and should have, had.   Think I’m crazy…listen to some of his vocals on “If I Ever Die”, “My Funeral Dreams”, and “Clouds of Dementia” which is one of the Masses crowning moments. 

On “Death Magic Doom”, the riffs are monstrous and as a result… the sound crushing.   I can’t put this album down! 

Founding guitarist Leif Edling has outdone himself and should be proud that he could be brother to Tony Iommi from Black Sabbath with his talents and tone.   Just listen to the arrangement for “Hammer of Doom” and the melody and tell me that’s not the song “Black Sabbath” reincarnated (without being a rip off, of course).  How sick and devastating is the riff!!   What about Leif’s solo and his tone??    “The Bleeding Baroness” is one of my favorites, Rob’s voice soars, that riff/ rhythm romp captures an infectious groove and the chorus’ melody is as beautiful and epic as one would want and I just love those accenting keys.  Between Rob’s soulful vocal, Leif’s catchy riffing, and that crushing bass and drums I just get the chills.  “Demon of the Deep”…another one with a deadly melody and cement cracking riff/bass/pounding drum and I absolutely love the change in tempo mid way as the last minute rides out.  Just genius! 

And the production…the production is huge on this album, really it is the sixth member of the band bringing all the instruments to life.   

Need I say more?