“King Of The Grey Islands” is the latest release from Candlemass and follows their critically acclaimed self-titled album “Candlemass” (2005). Candlemass fans were put on the back foot when it was announced that charismatic front man Messiah Marcolin had left the band (again) before his vocal parts for “King Of The Grey Islands” were recorded. Fans need not have worried as Leif Edling (bass) didn’t hang around as he recruited Robert Lowe, himself a legend in the slow-motion metal realm as vocalist for Texan outfit Solitude Aeturnus. Leif Edling had the following to say about the concept behind the ten new tracks.” The album is a concept story about depression and suicide in the modern society. It follows the road to ruin for many kings of grey islands that can’t stand everyday life and want to do something about it. Needless to say that this is our black album!” 

On first listen what struck me straightaway was the production. The sonics are dense but crisp. There is great separation between instruments and the whole thing sounds wonderfully modern but with traditional metal values at its heart. The opening track “Prologue” is a gentle solo guitar, which lulls the listener and sets the stage for the “Emperor Of The Void”. This is a very strong opener and epic in feel and is topped off with a great metal vocal performance from Lowe. There is also a very cool guitar break, which sits perfectly in the song. “Devil Seed” positively stalks the listener. It drags itself along relentlessly and is dark and doom laden. “Of Stars And Smoke” is a corker. Fans of early Black Sabbath will go into raptures if they get a chance to listen to this. The main riff is simple but so effective and the melodic and musical chorus highlights this even more. This track is without doubt everything you would expect from Candlemass and is sure to become a fan favourite.  

“Demonia 6” is unstoppable and pummels the listener into submission. It’s straightforward and its simplicity gives it a very dark heartbeat. “Destroyer” is grinding doom-laden rock at its devastating best. The song itself doesn’t really go anywhere and sounds almost claustrophobic. Its desolate feel gives it real angst and is definitely a song for those who are disillusioned and beyond hope. “Man Of Shadows” is a song of brooding brilliance. The main riff is a wonderfully crafted slab of dense and dark riff masterey. It has a wonderful early progressive feel thanks to some melodic acoustic led segments. This track also has some great-stylised guitar solos. Bjorkman and Johansson stretch their guitars strings to infinity and beyond and make them sound like the cries of hapless souls beyond redemption. There are many inventive parts to this song giving it the worthy description of epic and without doubt this will become another fan favourite. “Clearsight” is a galloping and surging riffathon. It’s a track, which really drags you in and is a very satisfying listen. Its traditional metal but delivered in a way that just keeps it in the new millennium. “The Opal City” is a heavy riffed intro, which leads in to the albums final track “Embracing The Styx”. The superb dark tension is wound up to the maximum in the first minutes and it feels like at any moment the song will burst into a run. This song is focused and intense and Leif gives us a lesson in what “evil” bass should sound like. Guitar solos have a wonderful unfettered spontaneous feel to them and the track closes like the album began with a tranquil guitar part

Candlemass have delivered their doom-laden brand of dark rock in spectacular fashion on this release. Each track is a focused small wonder. The album sounds great and Robert Lowe puts in a performance, which is both confident and classy. Candlemass fans I am sure will soon be classing this album as one of the bands finest releases. Recommended.

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Track Listing

Prologue
Emperor of the Void
Devil Seed
Of Stars and Smoke
Demonia 6
Destroyer
Man of Shadows
Clearsight
Opal City
Embracing the Styx

Line Up

Robert Lowe - Vocals
Mats Björkman - Guitar
Leif Edling - Bass
Lars Johansson - Lead Guitar
Jan Lind - Drums