Maximum Metal Rating Legend

Candlemass - Curse Of Candlemass DVD - 2005 - Escapi Music

Track Listing1. Intro 2. Demons Gate 3. Dark Reflections 4. The Well of Souls 5. Into Unfathomed Tower 6. Ancient Dreams 7. The Bells of Acheron 8. Witches 9. Mirror Mirror 10. A Cry from the Crypt 11. Mourners Lament 12. Black Stone Wielder 13. Solitude 14. At the Gallows End

Following up on the highly regarded 2003 DVD release, "Candlemass: Documents Of Doom", comes this new video release entitled "The Curse Of Candlemass". The fine folks at Escapi Music are behind this project as well, once again showcasing the legendary doom metal act in all of it's glory and splendor. Fans of the band rallied behind the group's recent 2005 reunion album, simply titled "Candlemass". Since then the band has gone through some changes, possibly calling upon a hiatus due to Messiah Marcolin's splitting from the band earlier this year. Beyond that, fans can celebrate the group's reunion tour with this historical and entertaining video piece.

"The Curse Of Candlemass" compiles fourteen cuts recorded live in Stockholm Sweden in November, 2003. This show was done as a farewell send-off, recapping a two year tour with this gig in front of their hometown audience. Unlike the previous Escapi DVD release for Candlemass, this is not a video version of a previous live album. Those of you who are concerned this may be the video footage from "Candlemass: Doomed For Live" can put your worries aside. That particular live CD was recorded during a Stockholm gig in August of 2002, as this video was recorded over a year later. This line-up is the original group who reached their career peak from '87-'90 with members Messiah Marcolin (vox), Leif Edling (bass), Mats Bjorkman (guitars), Lars Johansson (guitars), and Jan Lindh (drums).

The band covers all of their doom trodden basics here, including fan favorites such as "Black Stone Wielder", "Mirror Mirror", "Solitude", and one new song, "Witches", that would be released on the 2005 self-titled album. The video quality here is outstanding, really allowing for tons of stage shots and close-ups. The scenes behind the kit of Lindh are probably my favorites, really allowing the listener to absorb those plundering patterns and wicked groove fests up close and personal. Of course we get the normal stage shots with "hands to the waist" of Marcolin, as well as close-ups on Edling, Bjorkman, and Johansoon. Marcolin is, of course, decked out in the robe and still looks like he hasn't cut his hair in a decade or more. The band's signature logo is draped across the back, and this wouldn't be a Candlemass show without long candles across the drum riser.

Bottom Line - Another fine piece of video footage on this well received doom act. Long live Candlemass...as long as Messiah is fronting it!



--EC 7.02.06