Review Summary: Meh
Candlemass’s 2025 milestone arrives bearing some weight and spectacle considering that the pioneering metal act celebrates forty years of existence. Punctuated by deliberate pauses and renewed vigor, the Swedish pioneers mark the occasion with the EP
Black Star, a compact release that couples two original compositions with two carefully chosen covers. From a strictly discographic perspective, the package presents a straightforward, almost classical arc: two new tracks that diverge in mood yet sit comfortably within the band’s established aesthetic, followed by renditions that pay homage to the bands that made them.
The title piece,
Black Star, unfolds in a resolutely six-minute duration, employing a structure built on the tried-and-tested formula the band has been employing for the past ten years. Conversely,
Corridors of Chaos presents a delicate (if that’s possible), more layered approach with no lyrics to guide the listener through its intricacies. Although it feels half-baked, this instrumental orientation plays to the group’s strengths as Candlemass have displayed numerous times the capacity to convey atmosphere and narrative through monumental soundscapes rather than lyrics alone. Since Johan Langquist’s return to the microphone, the band has maintained a recognizable pattern observed in such albums as
The Door to Doom and
Sweet Evil Sun, with production that remains robust and meticulous. Yet, even within this consistency, the end result feels inconsequential. Langquist is way past his prime, his characteristic, epic wails have given their way to phlegmy growls and raspy vocals. Unfortunately, he is the weak link here. The band oozes professionalism, the production sounds big and epic (as it should) and the instrumentations are solid. But Langquist’s vocals are not up for this task.
The covers on
Black Star try to provide a counterpoint to the originals. Candlemass has historically exercised restraint with covers, making every choice count. Their selections from the 70s and 80s - two iconic doom bands - are treated with reverence and interpretive clarity.
Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, in particular, awakens a refreshed magic with its tight musicianship, bridging Ozzy Osbourne’s nuanced vocal delivery with Langquist’s rougher timbre to reveal anew the song’s core power. Pentagram’s
Forever My Queen, though augmented by an added verse, demonstrates how a tribute may evolve into a creative dialogue, extending the life of a classic through thoughtful reimagining.
All in all, Candlemass’s 40-year commemoration is answered with a release that feels purposeful and celebratory without pandering. The EP’s strength lies in its balance: the original material manages to expand the band’s sonic universe while the covers illuminate the continuities and inspirations that shaped it. If the best lies ahead, this thrifty collection suggests that Candlemass remains a force within the doom cycles, capable of both reverence and reinvention.
Sadly, it is safe to say, their best years are far behind them...
Recommended Tracks:
Black Star
