EP Review: Candlemass – Black Star (Napalm Records)

Candlemass, the Swedish godfathers of epic doom, honour their 40th anniversary of pioneering the genre with a four-track EP, ‘Black Star’. Out on May 9th, 2025, via Napalm Records, the EP features two brand-new songs alongside two cover versions of timeless classics.

40 years of Candlemass. Where has the time gone? Dissipated in a haze of epic doom. Love them or loathe them, nobody can deny the impact this band has had on the metal scene, nor the fact that they are unbelievably innovative. Still.

This EP might only have two new tracks, but its two huge tracks, notably the dark and atmospheric title track. Which quickly establishes itself in melodic fashion, but also quickly shows the resounding doomy heaviness that the band is so renowned for. Yet, all of this is just part of a bigger picture, and as this track goes on, it twists and turns in daring and dark fashion.

It is an instantaneous Candlemass hit, but so is the other new track, Corridors of Chaos. A dynamic instrumental that gets more and more epic as it goes on, especially from a guitar playing perspective. It’s doom in its most inspired form, and all this without vocals.

The second half of the EP features two cover tracks, beginning with the Black Sabbath classic (Sabbath Bloody Sabbath), which is given a cool Candlemass flavour, especially when the melody hits. Vocalist Johan Länquist does go for power here, even when he tries to scale it back, but that makes it more unique. The other cover is the Pentagram’s classic, Forever My Queen, and it sounds great. An iconic band covering an iconic band. Nothing complex, just iconic epic doom from a band that has earned every bit of respect.

Let’s all raise a glass to Candlemass and show our appreciation to their 40 years with some head banging. An easy thing to do when it comes in the form of an EP as enjoyable as this.

Candlemass – Black Star Track Listing:

1. Black Star
2. Corridors Of Chaos
3. Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (Black Sabbath Cover)
4. Forever My Queen (Pentagram Cover)

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