EP REVIEW: House Of Doom – Candlemass

Swedish doom legends, the almighty CANDLEMASS are back with a new EP, House Of Doom. Right from the get go you can tell that CANDLEMASS still have that magic touch, that keeps them at the top, as kings of epic doom metal. The EP comes with three bonus tracks, taking it up to a solid four new and juicy chunks of raw and frenzied of unadulterated metal.

Within seconds of the title track, House Of Doom, starting, there is an instant feel of familiarity, a sensation missed by many. Returning with cryptic and mystical lyricism, Mats Levén brings his vocal performance to the forefront of the song, taking center stage and luring the listener in with his dulcet, ritualistic tones. This song stands as testament to the brilliance of CANDLEMASS, frenzied and aggressive riffage, thundering drumming and the accompaniment of a hammond organ ties this piece together, melding the time-tested pillars of their musical style. That is only the first half as well! After taking a brief reprieve, a lighting fast solo sneaks up on you, forcing your adrenal gland to work over-time before your heart explodes from the sheer intensity of Lars Johanson’s guitarwork. A much-decreased pace of playing ends off House Of Doom, classical, foreboding doom riffs and impactful guitars fade into nothingness.

Flowers Of Deception enters the fray with high energy guitar work, grungy and drudging basslines, entwined with powerful vocals, ranging from talking to high pitched juxtaposition against the low, meatiness of riffs. At the 1:50 mark, a groovy, short bass solo introduces the next segment of droning, and melancholic monotony, a trademark sound with doom metal and certainly with CANDLEMASS. At 3:15 a slow growl of a guitar note clambers its way out of the earth, delivering an almighty occult sounding solo, a dramatic interlude before the return of the original sound of the first half.

In a contrast to the previous two tracks, the next are half the length, but by no means half the quality. Fortuneteller is an outstanding track, entirely different from the last two songs on House Of Doom. The acoustic work by the band members is phenomenal and really sets the tone for the track, melancholic, as if the song itself is retelling its life, dwelling on regrets and past mistakes. A whole life recalled in a matter of minutes makes you reflect on what you have spent your life doing. If you could see what your life would be, would you be happy? Mats Levén uses the deep range of his vocals in such an impactful and harrowing manner, that the emotion in his voice feels entirely genuine, even down to the slight tremor in his voice. Fortuneteller is one of those songs that is so emotional and intense in a different kind of way, and such a far cry from the tone of the album, that despite this, performs brilliantly. Fortuneteller turns out to be potentially the strongest track on House Of Doom.

Crawling onto the scene with sluggish, sedated riffs, Dolls On A Wall, Leif Edling’s basslines reverberate within the listeners core, sending shockwaves crawling up their back. At about the 40 second mark, the track takes a minor detour, as the higher tones really start to ring out and play. These high-key guitar progressions against the bass and drums gives you a sense of a power redirection, a slightly unearthly and ethereal feel. The high and low riffs alternate throughout the entirety of the song, reaching incredible depths and heaven piercing highs, progressing with ease into a tantalizing and mystical guitar solo. Sadly, this is where Dolls On A Wall comes to an end, and thus the album, fading away from an brilliant ending, into the unfaltering, all-consuming void.

CANDLEMASS are quite possible the most well know epic doom metal band, taking influences from many different avenues in both life and fantasy. With their track record, we would expect nothing less that what they have created in House Of Doom. This EP really is phenomenal, touching on all of the aspects that lovers of the genre and CANDLEMASS come to expect and want, yet they still brought more. None of the tracks are too far from the established sounds, but each one shines on their own. Every single song is a contender for the best one on the EP for widely different reasons. House Of Doom is a must have buy for fans of CANDLEMASS.

Rating: 9/10

House of Doom is out now via Napalm Records.

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