Album Review: Candlemass – Sweet Evil Sun (Napalm Records)

Swedish godfathers of epic doom metal, Candlemass, have returned to continue their unmatched legacy. With their new album, Sweet Evil Sun, out November 18, 2022, via Napalm Records, they are ready to prove once again that they reign as one of the heaviest metal bands on earth, bringing epic doom to the world of metal.

The legends of bleak and barren grandiosity, Candlemass have earned the title of ‘masters of epic doom metal’ through their unrepenting and unflinching style. A sound that has delighted millions in shared misery for decades. All other doom bands bow down, Candlemass are back and they have something special to share.

How do you start a new Candlemass album off? Try a touch of atmosphere, a thick guitar riff, a solid drum beat, and the instant adrenaline hit of doomy goodness as the vocals arrive to command. This is Wizard of The Vortex, and it sets the senses alight. This might be doom but it’s Candlemass’ doom and it sounds beyond extravagant.

Take a bloody deep breath, this album is only getting started.

The title track comes next and has Candlemass showcasing a peppier pace that slows down nicely in the chorus as the vocals get delightfully dark. Once again, the thickness of the riffs is so impressive, and the guitar solo is very cool sounding. Followed then by Angel Battle, a track of layers. Some of those layers are fast and all at about head-banging, others have Candlemass at their heaviest sounding. This is doom that you feel in your soul.

If one thing is clear at this stage, three songs in, it’s that this album is all about the guitars. Be it the riffs, the solos or something else. It’s the guitars that drive the glorious Black Butterfly onwards and the riffs that make Scandinavian Gods sound so big. Though, enough good things can’t be said about the vocals too as none of the music would matter if the vocals didn’t have such an immense commanding quality. You listen because you have no choice.

One of the album’s most intriguing tracks comes in between those two and sees Candlemass team up with Avatarium. Called When Death Sighs, it’s a track with way more dramatic value than anything else. Playfully dark and sinister at times, while continuing to deliver the epic doom goods.

The longest and most melodic track on the album is Devil Voodoo and the first 50 seconds will certainly raise an eyebrow. The acoustic guitar thrum and bluesy rock vocals are so far removed from anything else on the album, it’s startling. Hold on though as in an instant, this track transforms into a fast-paced heavy metal head-banger. Before later, dropping away into melody briefly before erupting into recognisable Candlemass doominess as a vast guitar solo plays out. It’s a track that can simply be called brilliant.

There’s no topping that but that doesn’t mean Crucified or Goddess are found lacking. Far from it, as the pair continue to provide epic doom that just never seems to get old. Neither track is short and the whole album overall is quite a mammoth undertaking but there’s no desire to see it end.

End it must though and this slice of doomy brilliance wraps up with the outro of A Cup of Coffin. A last instrumental salvo to leave nothing but satisfied misery in its wake. The sound of clapping and cheering is all of us.

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