Customer Reviews

King of the Grey Island

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2007's King of the Grey Islands feels like a "make or break" album for doom metal titans Candlemass. Signature vocalist Messiah Marcolin left the band...again, and Solitude Aeternus frontman Robert Lowe was hired as his replacement. Would the new lineup's first album be a triumphant return to form, or another detour from the true Candlemass sound?

Fortunately it only takes about two minutes to realize that Candlemass is back in a big way. King of the Grey Islands isn't the Nevermore-sounding metal of the self-titled Candlemass album, but rather a return to the epic doom metal of Tales of Creation and Nightfall. It's all dinosaur plodding guitar riffs, majestically bleak concepts, and that familiar atmosphere of complete and utter DOOM. "Emperor of the Void", "Man of Shadows" and "Embracing the Styx" all seem destined to be Candlemass classics. I was surprised at how well Robert Lowe - already a well-established doom metal voice in Solitude Aeternus - fit Candlemass's sound. He sounds like he realized he had a lot to prove here, and as a result this may be his best vocal performance to date. All he needs now is a bathrobe and a few dozen Big Macs.

King of Grey Islands is the most focused, classic-sounding Candlemass album I've heard in a very long time, and with luck it should usher in a new era for the band. If you're a fan of the old school Candlemass sound, you're going to love what you hear on King of the Grey Islands.

Edition Notes: The limited edition of King of the Grey Islands comes in a nice matte grey digipack and includes a pair of bonus tracks. The bonus tracks are the Candlemass classics "Solitude" and "At the Gallows End" rerecorded with Robert Lowe on vocals. The original versions with Messiah will always be the standard, but it's still cool to hear these songs with "the new guy" on vocals.

Kings of the Grey Islands marks a new era in Candlemass's ongoing and long running career. Let me begin by saying this CD is heavy! If you thought their previous self-titled release was loud and bombastic then wait until you here Grey Islands. No more moody dronings and slow tempo progression here, the founders of doom have moved beyond the bleak Solitude and become true Emperors of the Void. The song Of Stars And Smoke is without a doubt the best song on this CD and is a true Candlemass classic. The rest of the album is also quite impressive with tracks like Demonia 6 and Embracing the Styx. Also the two bonus tracks on the limited edition, re-recordings of two classic tracks, are simply amazing. Almost as good as the originals I dare say. If you're a Candlemass fan who is looking for something a little more thought out and less repetitive than their self-titled release then Kings of The Grey Islands will be a welcome addition to your collection. If you are just getting into Candlemass then I would recommend Epicus or Tales of Creation as they are a better representation of what Candlemass once was and is known for. Though if you're just looking for some good ol' power doom then you need this album. Bottom line: If you're a longtime fan who's willing to accept a slightly new direction from Candlemass you'll love this album. If you're looking for a true return to the roots you'll be disappointed, hence the only reason I gave the CD four stars. I'd really say four and ½ stars.