Candlemass - Psalms for the Dead (Napalm)
As we slowly approach the top, in number 3, we have the third and final album of the band with Solitude Aeternus' lead singer Robert Lowe. As with the previous 2 albums with Lowe that had been excellent, Psalms for the Dead is also an album of the highest possible doom metal quality. The album kicks off with "Prophet"
that starts off with a quick-fire riff and killer melodic lines throughout. It is an overall classic Candlemass piece that is very reminiscent of songs from "King of the Grey Islands", and finishes with truly heavy outro. Next is "The Sound of Dying Demons", that starts with a Black Sabbath riff and thunder in the back. The song is slow and crawls out of doom metal's darkest dungeons. Rob Lowe's vocals are chilling and you can feel evil is lurking near. A hauntingly beautiful Candlemass opus. Third song of the album is "Dancing in the Temple", which offers a reprieve from the darkness, with keyboards and beautiful solos being on the forefront, before you plunge back into it with "Waterwitch", another incredible Doom song with very solemn passages full of the beautiful voice of Rob, framed by extra heavy riffing. Next up is "The Lights of Thebe " which is another excellent song with an Egyptian feel and a very catchy refrain. The title track "Psalms for the Dead" is next and it is engaging, drawing obviously influences both lyrically and musically from My Dying Bride and sounds from a 70s mellotron that combine to create an awesome modern doom metal song. "The Killing of the Sun" is another obviously Black Sabbath - inspired anthem that drags you into its rhythm and beckons you to bang your head to its riffing. " Siren Song " is one of the few songs here that is just good, without being special, although, once again, the mellotron steals the show, and in the final minute the song becomes almost an anthem . The final track of this album, "Black as Time" and the last ever with Rob Lowe, sounds truly epic, dark and chilly, almost like a farewell from the band. Bleak narration over a clock ticking gives its way to a riffing assault and a Doom finale worthy of an awesome album. TIME IS BLACK.
96/100
Below are the audio tracks for the spine-chilling "Black as Time" AND "Psalms of the Dead"
that starts off with a quick-fire riff and killer melodic lines throughout. It is an overall classic Candlemass piece that is very reminiscent of songs from "King of the Grey Islands", and finishes with truly heavy outro. Next is "The Sound of Dying Demons", that starts with a Black Sabbath riff and thunder in the back. The song is slow and crawls out of doom metal's darkest dungeons. Rob Lowe's vocals are chilling and you can feel evil is lurking near. A hauntingly beautiful Candlemass opus. Third song of the album is "Dancing in the Temple", which offers a reprieve from the darkness, with keyboards and beautiful solos being on the forefront, before you plunge back into it with "Waterwitch", another incredible Doom song with very solemn passages full of the beautiful voice of Rob, framed by extra heavy riffing. Next up is "The Lights of Thebe " which is another excellent song with an Egyptian feel and a very catchy refrain. The title track "Psalms for the Dead" is next and it is engaging, drawing obviously influences both lyrically and musically from My Dying Bride and sounds from a 70s mellotron that combine to create an awesome modern doom metal song. "The Killing of the Sun" is another obviously Black Sabbath - inspired anthem that drags you into its rhythm and beckons you to bang your head to its riffing. " Siren Song " is one of the few songs here that is just good, without being special, although, once again, the mellotron steals the show, and in the final minute the song becomes almost an anthem . The final track of this album, "Black as Time" and the last ever with Rob Lowe, sounds truly epic, dark and chilly, almost like a farewell from the band. Bleak narration over a clock ticking gives its way to a riffing assault and a Doom finale worthy of an awesome album. TIME IS BLACK.
96/100
Below are the audio tracks for the spine-chilling "Black as Time" AND "Psalms of the Dead"
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