Candlemass Death Magic Doom
  full reviewuser ratings (22) 
Tracklist:
01. IF I EVER DIE
02. HAMMER OF DOOM
03. THE BLEEDING BARONESS
04. DEMON OF THE DEEP
05. HOUSE OF 1000 VOICES
06. DEAD ANGEL
07. CLOUDS OF DEMENTIA
08. MY FUNERAL DREAMS


Release Date: 03/27/2009

user rating
3.6
great
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  On 3 Lists

4.0
excellent
Nosferatwo USER (33 Reviews)

2009-05-17 | 13 comments | 442 views

Summary: Candlemass settles in with a new era of doom supremacy.

1 of 1 thought this review was well written

The Rob Lowe era of Candlemass is still in the early stages, but one thing has been made clear; Candlemass does not need Messiah to be considered the kings of doom metal.

King Of The Grey Islands showed great promise for the new lineup of the band, but something was lacking. The songs were solid, the production was heavy, and Lowe delivered a great performance behind the mic. All of the elements were there, but the album still seemed to lack the spark that would make it a classic. Hearing Death Magic Doom, the first album written specifically for Lowe makes it clear what was wrong before. Messiah's limited skills had necessitated the songs to be streamlined, tightening the vocals and not allowing Lowe to showcase his range.

Death Magic Doom does not suffer from any of these problems. As soon as the first riff sets in, it is clear that this is a band rejuvenated by the new blood Lowe brings. The production is massive, as a thundering riff pounds out a tempo faster than anything Candlemass has ever tried before. Lowe towers over the wall of sound, his vocals more powerful than even the darkest doom. "Hammer of Doom" thunders along at a grinding slow pace, the doomiest cut on the album, and the one that feels the most familiar.

The fun really starts with "The Bleeding Baroness", a sweeping mini-epic that is both crushingly heavy and irritatingly melodic. The band pounds a heavy doom stomper, falls into silence for a second, and then erupts in an epic chorus destined to break necks as they bang to the rhythm. "Demon of the Deep" turns another doom song on its head, ending with a melodic section that sounds as hard rock as doom metal. Likewise, "Dead Angel" bounces along with a chorus that is the closest doom metal will ever come to pop, while "My Funeral Dreams" is able to fuse all of these elements into a five-minute blueprint of everything Candlemass can be.... if they want to.

Death Magic Doom may not reach the same level as the considered legendary albums Epicus Doomicus Metallicus or Nightfall, but it is everything a band that has been around for twenty years can hope to be. Death Magic Doom is as heavy as Candlemass has ever been, as melodic as Candlemass has ever been, and features the strongest lineup Candlemass has ever had. Messiah may still be viewed as the face of the band, but Rob Lowe is now the voice of Candlemass.

Death Magic Doom is doom, and it is magical. Let's hope there's still plenty of life left in Candlemass.

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Comments:Add a Comment 
Zippermouth


Comments: 1305
05.17.09


I've never really seen the doom in this band.

Digging: Gwynbleidd - Nostalgia

stevespew


Comments: 62
05.17.09


what

Zippermouth


Comments: 1305
05.17.09


what what

lostforwords


Comments: 108
05.17.09


candlemass = founders of doom ("Epicus DOOMicus Metalicus")

I mean they are the founders of doom as we know it. You could say Sabbath or Trouble is close to that sound (and probably they' ve influenced Candlemass), but Candlemass is the first band to be considered Doom Metal without any doubtThis Message Edited On 05.17.09

jingledeath


Comments: 4398
05.17.09

Album Rating: 2.5

Nosferatwo now rules sputnik

Digging: The Swell Season - Strict Joy

joshuatree
Staff Reviewer


Comments: 2527
05.17.09


where is the doom

Digging: The Flaming Lips - Embryonic

plutosatanclubhouse


Comments: 98
05.17.09


i heard a song off of this and didn't think much of it, i'll still check it out eventually though

good review

Digging: Nyktalgia - Nyktalgia

Cocaine
Staff Reviewer


Comments: 7130
05.18.09


Did you just imply Rob Lowe was a better vocalist than Messiah? Are you her husband or something? Rob Lowe's womanly wimpering is the reason I won't even bother with this.

Digging: A Forest of Stars - The Corpse of Rebirth

Nosferatwo


Comments: 16
05.18.09

Album Rating: 4

No, I did not imply that Lowe is a better vocalist than Messiah. I stated it very clearly.

Digging: Dilana - InsideOut

Zippermouth


Comments: 1305
05.19.09


Cocaine owned.

darkHaem


Comments: 23
07.06.09

Album Rating: 4.5

Clear improvement compared to the predecessor.

fireaboveicebelow


Comments: 6760
07.06.09


No, I did not imply that Lowe is a better vocalist than Messiah. I stated it very clearly.
Messiah's limited skills had necessitated the songs to be streamlined, tightening the vocals and not allowing Lowe to showcase his range.
yes you did state it very clearly

whackerinc


Comments: 28
08.05.09

Album Rating: 4.5

Absolutely love this album. The right mix of heavy, sombre, doomy and downright headbangable moments. Rob Lowe's vocals kill on this.



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