CANDLEMASS – CHAPTER VI – 1992 (SWE) heavy metal/doom metal

The last Candlemass outing that includes contributions from key, if not mostly original members, Chapter VI signaled the end of anything significant from Sweden's doom metal pioneers. The departure of vocalist Messiah Marcolin was perhaps good for the outfit's morale; however, his absence left the group without their most musically defining element. Marcolin's replacement, Tomas Vikström, does a decent job, but the unique delivery of his predecessor is indeed missing on this and every subsequent Candlemass offering. Encouraging tracks like "Where the Runes Still Speak" and "Julie Laughs No More" almost capture the gloomy aesthetic of Candlemass' better, late-'80s work. For the most part, though, Chapter VI is directionless when compared to earlier Candlemass material. Guitarist Lars Johansson tries mightily to spice things up with some fine performances, and his bandmates generally follow suit, but the occasionally above-average playing never makes up for an overall musical lethargy and the noticeable absence of Marcolin.

Tomas Vikstrom - vocals (Stormwind)
Mats Bjorkman - guitars (Zoic)
Lasse Johansson - guitars (Creozoth, Zoic)
Leif Edling - bass (Abstrakt Algebra, Krux, Nemesis)
Jan Lindh - drums (Creozoth, Zoic)
1 The Dying Illusion 5:52
2 Julie Laughs No More 4:23
3 Where the Runes Still Speak 8:42
4 The Ebony Throne 4:25
5 Temple of the Dead 7:11
6 Aftermath 5:37
7 Black Eyes 5:53
8 The End of Pain 4:23

Not the place to start with Candlemass obviously as it deviates from their usual style, but a necessity for fans as it does contain some of their best work regardless.
Rip from CD 256@ (artwork included)
Download link
http://lix.in/fc34ab