CANDLEMASS chief Leif Edling says that the band’s upcoming reunion live performance with Messiah Marcolin will likely be a one-off occasion, with no likelihood of additional dates being added.
As beforehand reported, Messiah will entrance CANDLEMASS for an look at this yr’s version of the Rock Laborious Competition Greece, slated for September 12-13, 2025 in Athens, Greece. It should mark Marcolin‘s first efficiency with CANDLEMASS in almost 20 years.
Earlier in the present day, Edling launched a video message wherein he stated (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): “ Howdy, everyone. That is Leif Edling from CANDLEMASS. We’re celebrating 40 years as a band this yr, and there will likely be loads of happenings. And a kind of will likely be a reside gig with Messiah Marcolin in Athens on the Rock Laborious Competition on September 13. In order that will likely be a blast, undoubtedly. There will likely be one present and one present solely. No recordings, no excursions, nothing extra, only one present. And I am positive it will likely be a unbelievable occasion. And remember our new EP, the ‘Black Star’ EP. So test it out. Good things. And take care. And see you quickly on the street someplace.”
In a current interview with Finland’s Chaoszine, CANDLEMASS‘s present singer Johan Längqvist (a.ok.a. Johan Langquist) was requested if he will likely be part of the band’s upcoming efficiency that includes Messiah. He responded: “No, I am not part of that efficiency, as a result of the Greeks, they cherished CANDLEMASS from the very starting, and we’re very talked-about in Greece. And I feel the reason being as a result of [Messiah] has part of their historical past, the music listeners in Greece. So I do respect they wished us to do a gig with Messiah.”
Johan continued: “What can I say? I want him the most effective. And he was a personality within the band and we have really met two nights collectively, partying collectively. And I want him the most effective. I hope they’re gonna make a fantastic present down there. Yeah, that is it.”
Because the godfathers of epic doom metallic, CANDLEMASS outlined the style with releases equivalent to “Epicus Doomicus Metallicus” (1986) and “Dusk” (1987). Via their evil riffs, crushing rhythmic assault and dramatic vocals, they modified the panorama of metallic worldwide. Led by Edling, CANDLEMASS reunited with Längqvist in 2018, 32 years after the singer carried out on “Epicus Doomicus Metallicus”.
Längqvist initially exited CANDLEMASS after “Epicus Doomicus Metallicus” and was changed by Marcolin.
Marcolin exited CANDLEMASS for the presumably remaining time in 2006, one yr after the discharge of the band’s self-titled album. He was later changed by Robert Lowe (SOLITUDE AETURNUS),who sang on the band’s “King Of The Gray Islands” (2007),“Loss of life Magic Doom” (2009) and “Psalms For The Lifeless” (2012) LPs. CANDLEMASS‘s frontman between 2012 and 2018 was Mats Levén, who beforehand recorded and toured with YNGWIE MALMSTEEN and THERION. Seven years in the past, CANDLEMASS fired Levén and rehired Längqvist.
Again in October 2022, Messiah and longtime CANDLEMASS guitarist Mats “Mappe” Björkman joined Canadian metallers ANVIL on stage on the Slaktkyrkan venue in Stockholm, Sweden to carry out the basic ANVIL tune “Metallic On Metallic”. The occasion marked the primary time in 16 years that the 2 musicians carried out collectively.
Earlier this month, CANDLEMASS unveiled the title observe of its upcoming EP, “Black Star”, due out Could 9 by way of Napalm Data. The EP impressively marks the fortieth anniversary of the legendary band.
Johan‘s solo challenge JOHAN LANGQUIST THE CASTLE will launch its self-titled debut album on CD and vinyl on June 27 by way of I Hate Data. The file was initially made out there digitally and not using a label in 2024.