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I originally wanted to begin this review with a
joke, but I couldn’t make up my mind between
poking fun at the band’s new vocalist (none
other than Mr. Rob Lowe!!) or to embark upon a witty
double-entendre involving their choice of song titles,
namely the chuckle inducing “Embracing the Styx”.
So much humor, so little review space to devote to
it. And ultimately that’s why I’m here,
not to make with the yuks, but to deliver an album
review, albeit hopefully one that is entertaining
as it is informative. But before I begin I’d
like to clarify that, while a fine actor and irrefutably
golden skinned chick magnet, Rob Lowe of Hollywood
fame is not now, nor has he ever been a vocalist for
CANDLEMASS. He may very well be a fan, for all I know.
Ah hell, he’s too damned pretty for doom. I
bet he’s a hair metal guy. So… ah yes,
an album review. That’s right….
When you think of classic doom metal, you should
think of three bands first off and foremost: BLACK
SABBATH, PENTAGRAM, and CANDLEMASS. These three bands
helped to found and then foster the growth of a genre,
and blazed a path for countless bands to follow. The
influence that these bands have had is near universal,
in regards to rock and metal. What’s special
about CANDLEMASS, however, is that they remain active
and viable even after the passing of so much time,
as well as the ebb and flow of the tides of trends
to have come and gone (anyone remember grunge? Anyone
at all?). CANDLEMASS remains, and they’re *still*
doom to the core.
“King of the Grey Islands” is the second
release since the groups reformation in 2004, and
as such is the follow-up to their spectacular self-titled
comeback album, which many critics (myself among them)
consider to be the bands greatest achievement. Now,
3 years later we are presented with “King of
the Grey Islands”. Can they possible out-do
their own best work? And what’s with this Rob
Lowe guy?? And who the hell framed Roger Rabbit???
Robert Lowe, aside from sharing a name with a Hollywood
pretty-boy, formerly performed vocal duties for a
band by the name of SOLITUDE AETURNUS, whom all you
doom-mongers out there will surely recognize. So they’ve
enlisted the talents of a man who just may be able
to fill the shoes left by the departed Messiah Marcolin
(he’s not *departed*, he’s just no longer
with the band).
So what’s the verdict? How does the album compare
to it’s predecessor? Can Lowe hold his own as
a vocalist? Is the album chock full of the chewy doomy
goodness we’ve come to expect from this veteran
group? “King of the Grey Islands” is in
fact a very enjoyable album, which puts to rest any
doubt as to whether the band could survive the departure
of Marcolin. Lowe performs spectacularly in his role,
fitting in flawlessly with the epic doom sound which
CANDLEMASS has perfected, and while some may argue
he does not compare with Marcolin’s operatic
nature, others may appreciate him simply because of
that fact. If you’ve ever said “you know,
I like CANDLEMASS except for the singer”, well
now you just may change your tune.
And speaking of tune, CANDLEMASS have very likely
perfected the art of the “doom riff”.
K.O.T.G.I. has a pure, no-frills, straightforward
classic doom sound, CANDLEMASS display a nearly minimalist
approach to crafting the very bleakest and most sinister
sound in the land. Very little in the line of the
extravagant or unnecessary, the album is a study in
basic doom 101, eschewing all but the most distilled
and potent aspects of the genre. No keyboards (well,
nothing of a prominent nature), no gothic nu-metal
frills, just pure, unadulterated, light-some-incense-and-turn-on-the-black-light
doom.. Initially I was disappointed to hear a different
vocalist, and I found the album to be somewhat lackluster,
but as previously mentioned I’m a HUGE fan of
the album which preceded this one, and after a few
listens I was hooked. No it’s not Messiah Marcolin,
but it most certainly is CANDLEMASS, and that means
irrefutable, uncompromising doom.
Bottom Line: With a new vocalist and a classic sound,
CANDLEMASS prove they are still the kings of this
grey island we call doom.
Key Tracks: “Emperor of the Void”; “Of
Stars and Smoke”; “Clearsight”
Reviewed by Farron Watson
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