Review by Ben for Candlemass - Ancient Dreams (1988)

From looking at the reviews from others on here, it appears I'm not alone in my feelings towards this album. It's a very solid Candlemass release, but it doesn’t match either of the preceding releases, which is why it tends to be overlooked. But if you take the album as it is, there's a lot of enjoyment to be had. The blueprint had already been set previously and perhaps this third album is just following the rules a bit too much, without breaking new ground, to be considered a classic.

Mirror Mirror is typical Candlemass and probably my favourite track on Ancient Dreams. All the other tracks, except for Bearer of Pain and Epistle No. 81, which are a bit average, are all quite decent without being exceptional. But I think it would be harsh to write the album off for being consistently good, if not as amazingly brilliant as Epicus Doomicus Metallicus and Nightfall were. The slightly middle eastern sound that raises its head occasionally is interesting and they manage to move things from monstrously slow (and doomy) to upbeat (and still doomy) with ease. I'm going to stick up for Ancient Dreams and give it 4 stars as it's very worthy of any doom metal fan's attention.