Candlemass Death Magic Doom

  full reviewuser ratings (65) 
Tracklist:
01. If I Ever Die
02. Hammer Of Doom
03. The Bleeding Baroness
04. Demon Of The Deep
05. House Of 1000 Voices
06. Dead Angel
07. Clouds Of Dementia
08. My Funeral Dreams


Release Date: 2009

user rating
3.7
great
Chart.

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  On 7 Lists

4.0
excellent
Nosferatwo USER (43 Reviews)

May 17th, 2009 | 14 replies | 5,070 views

Summary: Candlemass settles in with a new era of doom supremacy.

1 of 1 thought this review was well written

The Rob Lowe era of Candlemass is still in the early stages, but one thing has been made clear; Candlemass does not need Messiah to be considered the kings of doom metal.

King Of The Grey Islands showed great promise for the new lineup of the band, but something was lacking. The songs were solid, the production was heavy, and Lowe delivered a great performance behind the mic. All of the elements were there, but the album still seemed to lack the spark that would make it a classic. Hearing Death Magic Doom, the first album written specifically for Lowe makes it clear what was wrong before. Messiah's limited skills had necessitated the songs to be streamlined, tightening the vocals and not allowing Lowe to showcase his range.

Death Magic Doom does not suffer from any of these problems. As soon as the first riff sets in, it is clear that this is a band rejuvenated by the new blood Lowe brings. The production is massive, as a thundering riff pounds out a tempo faster than anything Candlemass has ever tried before. Lowe towers over the wall of sound, his vocals more powerful than even the darkest doom. "Hammer of Doom" thunders along at a grinding slow pace, the doomiest cut on the album, and the one that feels the most familiar.

The fun really starts with "The Bleeding Baroness", a sweeping mini-epic that is both crushingly heavy and irritatingly melodic. The band pounds a heavy doom stomper, falls into silence for a second, and then erupts in an epic chorus destined to break necks as they bang to the rhythm. "Demon of the Deep" turns another doom song on its head, ending with a melodic section that sounds as hard rock as doom metal. Likewise, "Dead Angel" bounces along with a chorus that is the closest doom metal will ever come to pop, while "My Funeral Dreams" is able to fuse all of these elements into a five-minute blueprint of everything Candlemass can be.... if they want to.

Death Magic Doom may not reach the same level as the considered legendary albums Epicus Doomicus Metallicus or Nightfall, but it is everything a band that has been around for twenty years can hope to be. Death Magic Doom is as heavy as Candlemass has ever been, as melodic as Candlemass has ever been, and features the strongest lineup Candlemass has ever had. Messiah may still be viewed as the face of the band, but Rob Lowe is now the voice of Candlemass.

Death Magic Doom is doom, and it is magical. Let's hope there's still plenty of life left in Candlemass.

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Comments:Add a Comment 
Zippermouth
May 17th 2009



1305 Comments


I've never really seen the doom in this band.

Zippermouth
May 17th 2009



1305 Comments


what what

lostforwords
May 17th 2009



243 Comments


candlemass = founders of doom ("Epicus DOOMicus Metalicus")

I mean they are the founders of doom as we know it. You could say Sabbath or Trouble is close to that sound (and probably they' ve influenced Candlemass), but Candlemass is the first band to be considered Doom Metal without any doubtThis Message Edited On 05.17.09

jingledeath
May 17th 2009



7104 Comments

Album Rating: 2.5

Nosferatwo now rules sputnik

joshuatree
Staff Reviewer
May 17th 2009



3612 Comments


where is the doom

plutosatanclubhouse
May 17th 2009



142 Comments


i heard a song off of this and didn't think much of it, i'll still check it out eventually though

good review

Tyler
Staff Reviewer
May 18th 2009



7916 Comments


Did you just imply Rob Lowe was a better vocalist than Messiah? Are you her husband or something? Rob Lowe's womanly wimpering is the reason I won't even bother with this.

Nosferatwo
May 18th 2009



17 Comments

Album Rating: 4

No, I did not imply that Lowe is a better vocalist than Messiah. I stated it very clearly.

Zippermouth
May 19th 2009



1305 Comments


Cocaine owned.

darkHaem
July 6th 2009



24 Comments


Clear improvement compared to the predecessor.

fireaboveicebelow
July 6th 2009



6836 Comments


No, I did not imply that Lowe is a better vocalist than Messiah. I stated it very clearly.
Messiah's limited skills had necessitated the songs to be streamlined, tightening the vocals and not allowing Lowe to showcase his range.
yes you did state it very clearly

whackerinc
August 5th 2009



28 Comments

Album Rating: 4.5

Absolutely love this album. The right mix of heavy, sombre, doomy and downright headbangable moments. Rob Lowe's vocals kill on this.

HenchmanOfSanta
November 26th 2009



1343 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

Demon of the Deep has one of the best riffs of the year.

Digging: Ne Obliviscaris - Portal of I

rockandmetaljunkie
October 19th 2011



1307 Comments

Album Rating: 3.5

"Death Magic Doom is the best album we've made since Nightfall".
Obviously Leif Edling exaggerates.
This album is really solid, but it is not their best since their legendary second album.
However DMG is truly a magnificent effort.
With their latest release the band show they still have some fuel left in their tank.



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