Candlemass – Psalms for the Dead (2012)

The legendary Candlemass is back with what they say it will be their last album… ever. “Psalms for the Dead” marks the band’s 11th studio full-length release and closes the chapter on the band’s very influential career. Having influenced tons of bands over the years, it is quite sad to hear that Candlemass is going away, but at least they do so with an impressive and monumental release, instead of a pathetic sad little album or even worst… a best-of compilation release.

Opening with the crushing riffs of “Prophet”, the band delivers a powerful and firm first track that sets the mood for the whole release. The epic keyboards and excellent vocal melodies nicely make this song very catchy and dynamic, but ultimately it’s the riffing that sells the track. The very interesting atmospheric elements make their way into “The Sound of Dying Demons”, giving this track a very eerie and creepy feeling, and when paired with the cavernous riffs, it is plain brilliant.

With a more 80’s Doom feeling, “Dancing in the Temple” delivers a hefty dosage of epic vocal lines and very well crafted guitar solo work. “Waterwitch” and “The Lights Of Thiebe” keep the waves of crushing riffs coming, but it’s the little details that makes them very good and different from each other, something that only a handful of Doom bands managed to achieve in their releases. The melancholic pace of “Psalms for the Dead” is very nicely set by the psychedelic keyboards and very royal sounding guitar work. The typical Doom riffs are present in the background, but the lead guitar work is what makes this track very special.

Featuring a heavy Black Sabbath and Deep Purple influence, “The Killing Of the Sun” is one of those tracks that give you that déjà vu feeling but it’s still very well crafted and super catchy. The vocals here are pretty solid and varied. In a more chaotic fashion, “Siren Song” is super catchy and very dramatic, we love the organ sounds and this track features a nice amount of them. “Black As Time” nicely closes this release with a very funny spoken section and then goes into full Doom mode, marking the band’s last song on record.

Overall, we have to say that Candlemass delivers a very worthy swan song release that will put a lid on their existence. Every song in this release is masterfully crafted and very diverse, sounding very fresh and interesting, never being a rehash of something old. If you are a fan of the band, this is definitely a very good release that we find it impossible for somebody not to like. Candlemass leaves a huge legacy behind then and with “Psalms for the Dead”, the leave the scene with their head held up high and never looking back.

Release: June 5th, 2012

Country: Sweden