Review by Ben for Candlemass - Epicus Doomicus Metallicus (1986)

Nothing before it had come close to the epic doom that is Candlemass! Trouble, Witchfinder General, St Vitus and Pentagram had all dabbled in the magic that Black Sabbath had created more than a decade earlier, but it was Candlemass that absolutely nailed it with their debut Epicus Doomicus Metallicus.

A fantastic production showcases the pounding slow drums, the monstrous riffs and Johan Langquist's incredible vocals. Favourite tracks for me are the incredible Solitude, Demon's Gate and well...all of it! Being a massive fan of death / doom bands such as My Dying Bride and Saturnus as well as funeral doom such as Esoteric and Shape of Despair, it took me a long time to catch on to the more traditional form of doom metal, but I'm seriously happy I did. Doom on!!!