Psalms for the Dead is the eleventh studio album by the Swedish doom metal band Candlemass, released on 8 June 2012.[9] At the time of its release, the band stated that this would be their final album,[10][11] though bassist and founding member Leif Edling has since retracted this claim.[12] Psalms for the Dead is, however, the last Candlemass album recorded with singer Robert Lowe, who left the band just six days before its release.[13]

Psalms for the Dead
Studio album by
Released8 June 2012
RecordedDecember 2011
StudioB.A.M. Studios, Stockholm, Sweden
GenreEpic doom metal
Length50:13
LabelNapalm
ProducerLeif Edling
Candlemass chronology
Death Magic Doom
(2010)
Psalms for the Dead
(2012)
The Door to Doom
(2019)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
About.com[1]
AllMusic[2]
Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles7.5/10[3]
Metal Hammer (GER)6/7[4]
Metal Rules3.0/5[5]
The Phoenix[6]
Rock Hard8.0/10[7]
Sputnikmusic3.5/5[8]

The album would become Candlemass' last full-length release in over half a decade, until the 2019 release of their twelfth studio album The Door to Doom; during those seven years, however, the band released two EPs featuring new material: Death Thy Lover (2016) and House of Doom (2018).

Track listing edit

All tracks are written by Leif Edling

No.TitleLength
1."Prophet"6:05
2."The Sound of Dying Demons"5:30
3."Dancing in the Temple (of the Mad Queen Bee)"3:38
4."Waterwitch"7:03
5."The Lights of Thebe"5:49
6."Psalms for the Dead"5:15
7."The Killing of the Sun"4:09
8."Siren Song"5:57
9."Black as Time"6:47
Total length:50:13

Personnel edit

Candlemass
  • Robert Lowe - vocals
  • Mats Björkman - rhythm guitar
  • Lars Johansson - lead guitars
  • Leif Edling - bass, producer
  • Jan Lindh - drums
Additional musicians
  • Carl Westholm - keyboards
  • Mark Robertson - backing vocals
Production
  • Andreas Bauman - engineer
  • Chris Laney - engineer, mixing
  • Sören von Malmborg - mastering
  • Erik Rovanperä - cover art
  • Tomas Arfert - additional graphics

Charts edit

Year Chart Position
2012 Swedish Albums Chart[14] 19
German Albums Chart[15] 58

References edit

  1. ^ Zed, Matalie. "Candlemass - Psalms For The Dead Review". Heavy Metal. About.com. Archived from the original on 3 June 2012. Retrieved 29 October 2017.
  2. ^ Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Candlemass - Psalms for the Dead review". AllMusic. All Media Network. Retrieved 29 October 2017.
  3. ^ Gromen, Mark (18 June 2012). "Candlemass - Psalms for the Dead". Bravewords.com. Brave Words & Bloody Knuckles. Retrieved 29 October 2017.
  4. ^ Schurer, Petra (28 June 2012). "Candlemass - Psalms For The Dead". Metal Hammer (in German). Retrieved 29 October 2017.
  5. ^ Yurkiewicz, Aaron (July 2012). "Candlemass - Psalms for the Dead". Metal Rules. Retrieved 29 October 2017.
  6. ^ Foley, Ryan (31 July 2012). "Candlemass - Psalms for the Dead". The Phoenix. Archived from the original on 18 February 2013. Retrieved 29 October 2017.
  7. ^ Küper, Wolfram (2012). "Review Dynamit: Candlemass - Psalms for the Dead". Rock Hard (in German). No. 301. Retrieved 29 October 2017.
  8. ^ "Candlemass - Psalms for the Dead". Sputnikmusic. 19 June 2012. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
  9. ^ "Candlemass: New Album Title, Cover Artwork Revealed". Blabbermouth.net. 16 March 2012. Retrieved 29 October 2017.
  10. ^ "Candlemass Signs With Napalm Records For Farewell Album". Blabbermouth.net. 14 October 2011. Retrieved 29 October 2017.
  11. ^ "Candlemass Leader: 'We're Not Splitting Up'". Blabbermouth.net. 24 February 2012. Retrieved 29 October 2017.
  12. ^ Gehlke, David E. (1 December 2013). "Avatarium – Behold the Dark…In Paradise". Dead rhetoric.com. Retrieved 29 October 2017.
  13. ^ "Candlemass Parts Ways With Singer, Announces Temporary Replacement". Blabbermouth.net. 2 June 2012. Retrieved 29 October 2017.
  14. ^ "Candlemass - Psalms for the Dead (Album)". Swedishcharts.com. Media Control Charts. Retrieved 29 October 2017.
  15. ^ "Album – Candlemass, Psalms for the Dead". Charts.de (in German). Media Control Charts. Retrieved 29 October 2017.