Candlemass - Epicus Doomicus Metallicus

Album: Epicus Doomicus Metallicus
Artist: Candlemass
Released Date: June 10, 1986
Genre: Doom Metal
Label: Black Dragon Records
Playtime: 43:03

Members
Leif Edling - Bass
Johan Längqvist - Vocals
Mats Björkman - Guitar
Cille Svenson - "A Sorcerer's Pledge"
Mats Ekström - Drums
Klas Bergwall - Guitar


Playlist:
Solitude
Demons Gate
Crystal Ball
Black Stone Wielder
Under The Oak
A Sorcerer's Pledge


Information
This is album is said to be one of the most influenetial in Doom Metal history. I see why people say that. This is indeed one of the greatest albums in the history of Doom Metal, although I anjoy Nightfall more. Johann Lanqvist's vocals are excellent. Candlemass has some of the most epic souding doom metal, ever. The riffs are so slow and heavy they flow together nicely the melodies though. The solo's on this album show a lot of skill.
The songs on this album are simply amazing. From start to finish. Starting with 'Solitude', this song is the song that got me hooked on Candlemass. It's so heavy. Lanqvist's deep voice adds to the mood of the music. It seems to fit so well with the music on this album. After the intro to this song you're faced with a really moving riff. The lyrics to this song are about death. "Please let me die in Solitude' got me wrapped up in this band. This is the song that really started my affection for this band and for this genre.
I'm not a big fan of the begining of 'Demon's Gate' but once you get past the intro, you're in a pretty cool place. The guitars are ripping it up. This song is nine minutes of pure epicness and doom. The drums really seem to stand out in this song and are sorta of the main point to this song in my opinion. The break outs of insturments just possess heavyness to the max. I could listen to these 'insturmental' sections for hours alone. They bringy out the heavyness and doom in this album. 'Crystal Ball' comes up next. I personally like this song, even though the vocals don't seem to be there like in the rest of the songs. Something about this song gives me a hit of speed and thrashy sounds. I'm not sure why, but it always has. Anyway, even with that being said I highly enjoy the song. The really striking riff in the next song are what really make it stand out too me. The bass is also pretty fucking epic in this song. This song lacks something but I can't really put my finger on it, although it's extremely good in it's on right. I personally think the last two songs 'Under the Oak' and 'A Sorcerer’s Pledge' are pretty solid. I've seen people say these tracks aren't as good, but in my opinion they're strong soild songs.


Overall Ranking: 9/10, I love this album, but I personally enjoy Nightfall more.
Should I buy it? Of course, if you're a doom fan, or want to get into doom, or just enjoy Candlemass, buy it if you can.

This is definitely one of my all time favorite albums.

Hail Candlemass!

This one was really hard for me to get into at first, as I'd never had heard any doom metal before. I bought it, and thought it sounded WAY to slow for my tastes. Couple a months later I gave it a few more spins and now I really enjoy it and have gotten more interested in doom. "Solitude" is a killer song.

Nightfall is definitely the better album, however this had far more influence, given that it pretty much got the ball rolling. I do really like some of the songs on it and ironic ending to A sorcerer's pledge was amusing, if a little out of character with the usual doom stuff. It's still, a great album and solitude is the best thing candlemass have ever written.

Candlemass is a really awesome band and I like them much, but I'm sorry to say I don't have their debut... I need to get it.^^

Epicus is where its at. The feud between Nigthfall and Epicus is the epitome of the war in Doom itself.

That is dark fantasy, and evil vs straight up doom. Epicus Doomicus stands on the former. Being about wizards, curses, evil cults, last men on earth, etc. Nightfall is about sadness, emotion, depression and death.

No matter which slice you take, both albums are fantastic doom. Its a shame modern Candlemass doesn't compare.

Nightfall is excellent, But Epicus Doomicus is one of the best albums ever in my opinion.

Best Candlemass album and one of the greatest Doom albums EVER. I really need to get this on vinyl, its just so expensive....