Nightfall

About

Nightfall is the second studio album by the Swedish doom metal band Candlema, released on 9 November 1987 through Axis Record. After being dropped from the label Black Dragon Record, Candlemass were the first band signed to Axi. The group had a new line-up from their previous album including vocalist Messiah Marcolin, whose decisions became instrumental during the production and release stages of the album. After being dropped from Black Dragon Records due to the disappointing sales of their previous album Epicus Doomicus Metallicus (1986), Candlemass became the first band signed to David Constable's British label Axis Record. Constable had decided to sign the band after being impressed with their demo tape for "Bewitched". The group's line-up had changed since their previous studio recording. Jan Lindh had replaced drummer Mats Ekström who had left the group because he could not find enough time for rehearsal. Lead guitarist Lars Johansson had also joined the band. During a tour in 1987 with King Diamond, Johansson broke his arm and was temporariliy replaced by guitarist Mike Wead. The final new band member was vocalist Messiah Marcolin, who phoned Leif Edling to sing an a cappella version of "Solitude" as an audition. Like the previous album, Nightfall was recorded at Thunderload Studios in Stockholm with Ragne Wahlquist as engineer. Wead's brief membership in Candlemass lead to him allegedly recording rhythm guitar, harmony and acoustic guitars and keyboards on the album, although the only thing that is confirmed by the band as his is the recording of his song "Black Candles". Marcolin's influence was strong and included the recording of the song "Marche Funèbre" on his suggestion, the band's choice of the album cover based on Thomas Cole's paintings "The Voyage of Life", and the title Nightfall, rejecting Edling's original title for the album Gothic Stone. The song "Samarithan" was originally written during the recording sessions for Epicus Doomicus Metallicu, but was rejected by former group member Mats Ekström. After completing the sessions at Thunderload, which lasted from July to September 1987, the recordings were mixed by Mats Lindfors at Stockholm Recording Studio. As like as the band's debut album, Nightfall was met with universal acclaim by both music critics and fan. In a contemporary review, Metal Forces editor Bernard Doe called the album "an essential buy for any true metal fan" and lauded Candlemass for mixing "some early Black Sabbath (circa Master of Reality), some early Rainbow (circa Rising) and some Metallica", and adding "plenty of their own original style to produce a unique sound." Rock Hard reviewed positively the album, but recognized that the "sluggish" rhythms and Marcolin's "clean and high voice" could not please everyone. .

via Last.fm

The Clerk says

Start your shelf to read the full take →