Candlemass’ last album, 2012’s Psalms for the Dead, was mooted to be their last. But now, to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the release of their debut album, the doom legends have returned with a new EP: Death Thy Lover.
As celebrations go, this EP is a bit like that time the Oban Community Firework Display accidentally set off all their fireworks at once. But not as exciting.
Once you’ve heard the excellent opening track Death Thy Lover you might as well pack up and go home cause there’s nothing happening here. Sleeping Giant is woefully dull nursery-rhyme doom. Sinister and Sweet is livened up only by a superb guitar solo from Lars Johansson and The Goose is a bland instrumental. New vocalist Mats Levén performs well but can only do so much with such unengaging material.
I had high hopes for Death Thy Lover but this mediocre EP fails to recall any of the band’s tremendous former glories or offer a way forward. Candlemass’ 30th Anniversary celebration has misfired. Move along, nothing to see here.
HEAVY METAL OVERLOAD 
So, eh, I can now pack up and go home?
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Yup. But grab a copy of their debut album on the way out… and pick up your litter!
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Aw whit? I didn’t bring a bag!
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Too many bands in this day and age just don’t know when to put a fork in it!
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Too true. And I can think of a lot of bands I’d like to put a fork in!
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I liked Death Thy Lover. Great song. I won’t bother with the rest as you said. I added Introducing Candlemass to my apple music library to check them out.
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They’ve got lots of great stuff that’s worth checking out. The title track is the only one here that’s got a hope in hell of appearing on any best-ofs.
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Oooft. I’m sorry to hear this dude. Maybe they should have done one song on a “best of” instead of an EP, eh. Hindsight.
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Yeah. They had a box set out recently too. They should have just stuck the title track on that as a bonus. This EP just sounds half assed to me. Half Candlem-assed even! You wouldn’t Doom Dance to any of this.
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* Candlem-assed is a trademark of HMO Operations ™ and may not be used without prior written permission. Patent pending.
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Candlemess?
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Candlemeh
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Scott you have to keep posting the copyright notice thing when you say good stuff. That’s what makes it official. I read that on the internet.
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I need this immediately – I’m a massive fan of ‘woefully dull nursery-rhyme doom’. Yes!
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Nah. It’s not even as good as I made that sound. Trust me!
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Wonder when they’ll make a Rockabye Baby album of Candlemass renditions…
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It’s scheduled straight after they finish work on the Carcass one, apparently.
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Any truth to the rumour that the Cannibal Corpse edition got put on hold because they songs weren’t heavy or dark enough?
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I’m holding out for Burzum-pty Dumpty.
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I don’t often Like comments, to save time, but this one. THIS ONE.
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No, I read that its because the cover art was far too gory for the band – they objected.
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Buncha pansies.
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Nice call on how even a solid performance can not overcome weak material – songwriting matters!
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