Candlemass is a Swedish doom metal band from Stockholm. Formed in late 1984, the group originally consisted of bassist and vocalist Leif Edling, guitarist Mats "Mappe" Björkman, and drummer Matz Ekström. The group's current lineup includes Edling on bass, Björkman on rhythm guitar (a constant member, save for 1997–2001), vocalist Johan Längqvist (originally a member in 1986, and since 2018), drummer Jan Lindh, and lead guitarist Lars Johansson (both from 1986 to 1993 and since 2001).

History Leif Edling founded Candlemass in late 1984 after the breakup of his previous band Nemesis, completing the initial lineup with the addition of guitarist Mats "Mappe" Björkman and drummer Matz Ekström. After three demos in 1985 – the third of which featured lead guitarist Christian Weberyd – the band recorded its debut album Epicus Doomicus Metallicus in early 1986, with Johan Längqvist on vocals and Klas Bergwall on lead guitar. Both new members remained only for the recording of the album, after which they left again, followed shortly by Ekström. Langqvist, Bergwall and Ekström were replaced by Messiah Marcolin, Lars Johansson and Jan Lindh, respectively; just before the recording of 1987's Nightfall, however, Johansson broke his arm and was briefly replaced by Mike Wead, before returning to finish the album.

The lineup of Marcolin, Johansson, Björkman, Edling and Lindh released Ancient Dreams in 1988, Tales of Creation in 1989 and Live in 1990, before Marcolin left Candlemass prior to the recording of Chapter VI, reportedly after an argument with Edling. He was replaced for the album's recording and subsequent touring cycle by Thomas Vikström. The new lineup released Sjunger Sigge Fürst, before Edling disbanded the group in late 1993 ahead of forming Abstrakt Algebra. After releasing one album and recording a second which remained unreleased until 2006, Abstrakt Algebra were disbanded and replaced by a reformed Candlemass, who recorded Dactylis Glomerata with a new lineup composed of Edling alongside vocalist Björn Flodkvist, guitarist Michael Amott, drummer Jejo Perkovic and keyboardist Carl Westholm.

Just a few months after the release of Dactylis Glomerata, Amott was replaced by Mats Ståhl and the band recorded their seventh album, From the 13th Sun. By November 2001, following months of rumours, the 'classic lineup' of Candlemass had reunited, with Messiah Marcolin, Lars Johansson, Mappe Björkman and Jan Lindh all rejoining the group. After releasing Doomed for Live – Reunion 2002, the band reported in May 2004 that they had broken up again due to musical differences. Just six months later, however, they announced that they had reconsidered their decision to break up, and in 2005 released a self-titled studio album. Marcolin claimed in April 2006 that he had left Candlemass again, although he remained with the band until October, when he officially departed due to various ongoing issues.

Marcolin was replaced in January 2007 by Robert Lowe, best known as the frontman of Solitude Aeturnus. With their new lineup, Candlemass released King of the Grey Islands in 2007, Lucifer Rising in 2008 and Death Magic Doom in 2009. In December 2010 and April 2011, original vocalist Johan Längqvist performed with the band to mark the 25th anniversary of Epicus Doomicus Metallicus. Six days before the release of his third full-length album with the band, Psalms for the Dead, Lowe was dismissed from the group due to "the quality of the live performances". He was replaced by Mats Levén, who had previously performed with Edling in Abstrakt Algebra. Levén remained until September 2018, when Längqvist returned full-time for the first time in the band's history.

Members Current ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributionsLeif Edlingall Candlemass releasesMats "Mappe" BjörkmanJohan LängqvistvocalsJan Lindhdrumsall Candlemass releases from the untitled 1987 demo (1987) to Sjunger Sigge Fürst (1993), and from Doomed for Live – Reunion 2002 (2003) onwardsLars Johanssonlead guitar

Former ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributionsMatz Ekström1984–1986drumsall Candlemass releases from the Witchcraft demo (1985) to Epicus Doomicus Metallicus (1986)Christian Weberyd1985lead guitarKlas Bergwall1986Epicus Doomicus Metallicus (1986)Messiah MarcolinvocalsThomas Vikström1991–1993Björn Flodkvist1997–2001Jejo PerkovicdrumsCarl Westholm1997–1998 keyboardsMichael Amott1997–1998guitarDactylis Glomerata (1998)Mats Ståhl1998–2001Robert Lowe2007–2012vocalsall Candlemass releases from King of the Grey Islands (2007) to Psalms for the Dead (2012)Mats Levén2012–2018

Session/Touring musicians ImageNameYears activeInstrumentsRelease contributionsMike Wead1987Wead briefly replaced Johansson when the guitarist broke his arm during the recording of Nightfall (1987).Per Wiberg2013–2019Wiberg played keyboards with the band from 2013 to 2019, he also played bass when Edling was forced to sit out touring.Jörgen Sandström2015–2019bassSandström also played bass from 2015.

Timeline

Lineups PeriodMembersReleasesLate 1984 – late 1985Leif Edling – vocals, bass Mappe Björkman – guitar Matz Ekström – drumsWitchcraft demo (1985) Studio Garage demo (1985)Late 1985Leif Edling – vocals, bass Christian Weberyd – lead guitar Mappe Björkman – rhythm guitar Matz Ekström – drumsBewitched demo (1985)Early – mid-1986Johan Längqvist – vocals Klas Bergwall – lead guitar Mappe Björkman – rhythm guitar Leif Edling – bass Matz Ekström – drumsEpicus Doomicus Metallicus (1986)Late 1986 – summer 1987Messiah Marcolin – vocals Lars Johansson – lead guitar Mappe Björkman – rhythm guitar Leif Edling – bass Jan Lindh – drumsuntitled 1987 demo (1987)Summer – autumn 1987Messiah Marcolin – vocals Mike Wead – lead guitar, keyboards Mappe Björkman – rhythm guitar Leif Edling – bass Jan Lindh – drumsNightfall (1987) – select tracks "Dark Are the Veils of Death" (2017)Autumn 1987 – late 1991Messiah Marcolin – vocals Lars Johansson – lead guitar Mappe Björkman – rhythm guitar Leif Edling – bass Jan Lindh – drumsNightfall (1987) Ancient Dreams (1988) Tales of Creation (1989) 3-Way Thrash (1989) Live (1990) Live at the Marquee 1988 (2013) Dynamo Doom (2019)Late 1991 – late 1993Thomas Vikström – vocals Lars Johansson – lead guitar Mappe Björkman – rhythm guitar Leif Edling – bass Jan Lindh – drumsChapter VI (1992) Sjunger Sigge Fürst (1993)Band inactive late 1993 – summer 1997Summer 1997 – spring 1998Björn Flodkvist – vocals Michael Amott – guitar Leif Edling – bass Jejo Perkovic – drums Carl Westholm – keyboardsDactylis Glomerata (1998)Summer 1998 – November 2001Björn Flodkvist – vocals Mats Ståhl – guitar Leif Edling – bass Jejo Perkovic – drumsFrom the 13th Sun (1999) "Nimis" (2001)November 2001 – October 2006Messiah Marcolin – vocals Lars Johansson – lead guitar Mappe Björkman – rhythm guitar Leif Edling – bass Jan Lindh – drumsDoomed for Live – Reunion 2002 (2003) Essential Doom (2003) Candlemass (2005) Live in Stockholm 2003 (2005)January 2007 – June 2012Robert Lowe – vocals Lars Johansson – lead guitar Mappe Björkman – rhythm guitar Leif Edling – bass Jan Lindh – drumsKing of the Grey Islands (2007) 20 Year Anniversary Party (2007) Lucifer Rising (2008) Death Magic Doom (2009) Ashes to Ashes (2010) No Sleep 'til Athens (2010) "Don't Fear the Reaper" (2010) Psalms for the Dead (2012)December 2010, April 2011Robert Lowe – vocals Johan Längqvist – vocals Lars Johansson – lead guitar Mappe Björkman – rhythm guitar Leif Edling – bass Jan Lindh – drumsEpicus Doomicus Metallicus:Live at Roadburn 2011 (2013)June 2012 – September 2018Mats Levén – vocals Lars Johansson – lead guitar Mappe Björkman – rhythm guitar Leif Edling – bass Jan Lindh – drumsCandlemass vs. Entombed (2013) Death Thy Lover (2016) House of Doom (2018)September 2018 – presentJohan Längqvist – vocals Lars Johansson – lead guitar Mappe Björkman – rhythm guitar Leif Edling – bass Jan Lindh – drumsThe Door to Doom (2019) The Pendulum (2020) Green Valley Live (2021) Sweet Evil Sun (2022)

References

External links Candlemass official website