乐队列表 Doom Metal Candlemass Death Magic Doom

Doom. It’s in the title. It’s in the songs. It’s basically what Candlemass’ 2009 LP release “Death Magic Doom” is all about. For certain, there are pinches of color from other styles of metal. The use of keys to enhance the satanic ambiance of a few songs harks to kind of black metal semblance, while a couple other songs drive a little faster than the typical gloomy speed limit. However, doom is the definition of this album.

The music from song to song varies little – even some of the vocal arrangements seem to replicate themselves here and there – and the Satanic Triptych is never too far away (“My Funeral Dreams” ends with it via the church organ), but to be fair it is intentional. For ambiance as well as integrity, the music has to be heavy, slow and low, simple, long noted, and distorted. Like Christian hymns, these tracks are a celebration of blackness, evil, and death, so the sound has a purpose, and as if there actually was a black mass it would be a perfect accompaniment.

Lyrically, (and vocally as well), the approach is first person (“If I Ever Die” and “Hammer of Doom”), and highly descriptive (“The Bleeding Baroness”, “House of 1,000 Voices”, and “My Funeral Dreams”). This direction gives a feeling of dark musical theater, which also adds to the aforementioned ambient mood of the music. Vocally, Robert Lowe is a pleasure to listen to not only for his tone and strength, but for his clarity. It is always an asset when one can very clearly hear the words being sung.

Adding to individual highlights on this record, the highly dexterous lead work of Lars Johansson is very impressive. “Dead Angel” and “Clouds of Dementia” are two good showcases of his virtuoso. Carl Westholm, the guest keyboardist, should also be credited for his subtle additions, including “The Bleeding Baroness”, “House of 1,000 Voices”, and “Johansson Dreams”.

The standout tracks could be the chugging “The Bleeding Baroness” and the mid tempo “House of 1,000 Voices” for its extended rhythm section and toy piano outré, but the ‘single’ would be the faster “Dead Angel” with its catchy chorus line. The most surprising track in terms of speed is “Lucifer Rising”. A bonus outtake, it is easily the fastest song on the record, which would then explain why it is the outtake bonus track.

Candlemass’ “Death Magic Doom” is a dark and moody album better appreciated with a secondary level of attention. For those who love the genre, it is a most solid work of doom metal very true to form.