So much for a big review. Despite my best efforts, only Wolfie, Graeme and I bothered to review Candlemass this month. Hopefully there'll be more success next time.

Candlemass
From The 13th Sun

Unfortunately I hadn't actually heard any Candlemass stuff till I got this album. To be honest I was quite surprised by what I heard. It sounds very modern despite being heavily Sabbath influenced, and has got weird trippy effects at bits.

I expected them to sound stuck in the 80s for some reason, but that isn't the case. The vocals are good and confident, and while sounding vaguely reminiscent of Ozzy, they have their own style.

The second track unashamedly rips off Sabbath, complete with rain noises and a tolling bell. (I'll leave it to someone else to point out the Children Of The Grave rip off!) The best way I could probably describe this album is Sabbath for the millenium, and surely that's got to be good?

Kevin's Verdict: Good memorable songs done well.

An album choc-ful of Sabbath-isms even down to samples of church bells on a rainy night. From The 13th Sun seems to be a tribute album without actually doing any covers of Black Sabbath. Elephant Star sounds very like Children of the Grave in places. Arx/Ng 891 is probably the most leaden and morose of the tracks with the vocalist sounded very similar to old Ozzy. Essentially an updated Black Sabbath with more equipment to make funny noises with, but more than ably executed.  [Wolfbitch]

Candlemass have been around forever. Long before the newly cool Stoner scene was even thought of, they were plying their doom, as it was called then, sound to the ears of the faithful. And they’re back with new album, From the 13th Sun, to dip their toe in the growing pool of retro bands.

Before I start this review I should state that I’ve lost my tracklisting so don’t know what any of the songs are called. However, I could name some of the songs such as Children of the Grave and Lord of This World, because unlike a large amount of the stoner scene, Candlemass do indeed sound a bit like Black Sabbath. The first track also reminds me of another cool British 70’s export, namely James Bond (I’m not sure why! Could be a song from Dr No or something). Once again though I will contradict myself by saying that Candlemass add a touch of moderness to their sound, particularly where the guitar is concerned, with an altogether less retro feel. Sort of Sabbath being produced by Colin Richardson. Heavy and slow with a touch of psychedelia, From the 13th Sun may bore many, but it’s the best all out doom album I’ve heard since My Dying Bride’s Angel and the Dark River, and that’s no bad thing!

Graeme's Rating: **********