CANDLEMASS — Death Thy Lover (review)

CANDLEMASS — Death Thy Lover album cover EP · 2016 · Traditional Doom Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
UMUR
"Death Thy Lover" is an EP release by Swedish doom metal act Candlemass. It´s the band´s first release featuring new original material since the release of the "Psalms for the Dead" album from 2012. The EP was released through Napalm Records in June 2016. "Death Thy Lover" features a new lead vocalist in Mats Levén as Robert Lowe left Candlemass in 2012 after a six year stint with the band. Levén had shortly been a member of Candlemass in 2006 before Lowe joined, so he is not completely new in that respect.

Levén is of course known for his vocal contributions to artists like Krux and Abstract Algebra (both of which also featured Candlemass bassist Leif Edling in the lineup), Yngwie J. Malmsteen, Fatal Force, and Aeonsgate, just to name a few of the projects he has been involved in, so he is quite the prolific singer and definitely a worthy replacement for Lowe. Stylistically "Death Thy Lover" is exactly what you´d expect it to be if you´re already familiar with the last couple of releases by the band (new lead vocalist or not). It´s crushingly heavy yet relatively melodic doom metal (with occasional traditional heavy metal leanings), and feautures both powerful riffs and rhythms and catchy choruses.

The EP opens with three tracks featuring vocals and then closes with the instrumental "The Goose". All four tracks are of high compositional class and it´s hard not to be impressed by the high standards of Candlemass. Add to that high level musicianship and a powerful and clear sounding production, and "Death Thy Lover" comes off a great quality release. Featuring a total playing time of 25:28 minutes you also get a fair deal of quantity for your money, and a 4 star (80%) rating is therefore fully deserved.
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