Candlemass to release 35th anniversary edition of Epicus Doomicus Metallicus

Candlemass were formed in Sweden in 1984 by songwriter and bass player Leif Edling. They became one of Doom’s most innovative performers, taking their own inspiration from the likes of Black Sabbath.

On 3 June a special remastered edition of the band’s genre classic album Epicus Doomicus Metallicus will be released by Peaceville Records.

This is one of the quintessential, definitive Doom Metal releases, immortalising the band in the annals of music history and creating the foundations of a legacy spanning over 35 years.

Going against the grain of bands at the time using speed to bolster their metal with the ongoing riseof thrash in Europe and the US, Candlemass eschewed this direction, and formed a phenomenon of their own through the latter part of the decade and beyond with their slow and spellbinding atmospherics

You can enjoy the album trailer here…

Epicus…’ was recorded at Thunderload Studios in 1986 and was released later that same year, with the grand and inspiring vocals for the debut handled by Johan Längqvist.

EPICUS was our first, and perhaps also the best. I have no clue what we did there in the studio deep under the Stockholm subway, but some sort of magic was created. This is a record I would gladly be buried with!

Leif Edling

Now, marking 35 years of the iconic debut, this Candlemas-endorsed, deluxe triple vinyl release includes a new remastered version of the album itself, as well as a collection of Candlemass’ essential 1985 recordings preceding the Epicus… session, in the form of the Witchcraft demo plus the OAL studio recordings and completed by the band’s Upplands Väsby rehearsal from November 1985.

Each vinyl is presented with its own sleeve, with the Epicus Doomicus Metallicus LP containing a layout closely reflecting the original edition, with images used on its initial pressings. The set also includes an 8 page 12” booklet with images from the era and accompanying text, plus A2 poster, as wellas a handwritten letter print from founder Leif Edling.

You can pre-order exclusively via Peaceville Records here.

DISC 1 

A.1.        Solitude  [05:34] 

A.2.        Demon`s Gate  [09:10]

A.3.        Crystal Ball  [05:21] 

B.1.        Black Stone Wielder  [07:34] 

B.2.        Under The Oak  [06:52] 

B.3.        A Sorcerer`s Pledge  [08:20]  

DISC 2 

C.1.        Warchild (Witchcraft Demo, Jan `85)  [03:34] 

C.2.        Crystal Ball (Witchcraft Demo, Jan `85)  [04:51] 

C.3.        A Sorcerer`s Pledge (Witchcraft Demo, Jan `85)  [07:26] 

C.4.        Into The Unfathomed Tower (Witchcraft Demo, Jan `85)  [03:02] 

D.1.        Black Stone Wielder (O.A.L. Studio Demo, Dec `85)  [07:24] 

D.2.        Demon`s Gate (O.A.L. Studio Demo, Dec `85)  [08:05]  

DISC 3 – Upplands Vasby rehearsal, Nov 85 

E.1.         Demon`s Gate – V1 [07:58] 

E.2.         Under The Oak – V1 [06:24] 

E.3.         Under The Oak – V2 (alternate version)  [06:17] 

F.1.         Black Stone Wielder [02:28] 

F.2.         Demon`s Gate – V2 (alternate version)  [07:59] 

F.3.         Under The Oak – V3 (alternate version 2)  [06:09]  

Candlemass will be playing Epicus Doomicus Metallicus in full when they play in Zappa in Antwerp (BE) on 14 May.

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