Solitude (Candlemass song)

Last updated

"Solitude"
Song by Candlemass
from the album Epicus Doomicus Metallicus
Released10 June 1986
RecordedFebruary 1986
Genre Epic doom metal
Length5:38
Label Black Dragon
Songwriter(s) Leif Edling
Producer(s) Ragne Wahlquist and Candlemass

"Solitude" is a song by Swedish doom metal band Candlemass. It is the opening track on the band's debut studio album, Epicus Doomicus Metallicus , released in June 1986. It is one of the band's signature songs, and has been a feature of all the band's live setlists since the release of the album. [1] [2]

Contents

Composition and lyrics

The song was written by bassist and primary songwriter Leif Edling in 1985 along with the rest of the debut album. The guitar solo in the song, along with those on the rest of the album, is performed by session musician Klas Bergwall. [3] The lyrics are written from the perspective of someone who suffers from severe depression and longs for death.

Live and notable performances

The song is a live staple at Candlemass shows. In recent years, it has been used as the last song of the set. [4] In 2007 and 2013 it was performed with former lead singer Johan Längqvist, [5] and in 2011 it was performed along with the rest of Epicus Doomicus Metallicus at Roadburn Festival in the Netherlands for the live album Epicus Doomicus Metallicus - Live at Roadburn 2011. [6] It has appeared on the live albums Live , Doomed for Live , No Sleep 'til Athens and Ashes to Ashes: Live. [7]

Personnel

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Candlemass (band)</span> Swedish doom metal band

Candlemass is a Swedish doom metal band formed in Upplands Väsby, a suburb of Stockholm, in 1984 by bassist, songwriter, and bandleader Leif Edling, alongside drummer Matz Ekström. The band has had a defining influence on doom metal, with the epic doom genre itself taking its name from their debut album Epicus Doomicus Metallicus. Along with Pentagram, Saint Vitus, and Trouble, Candlemass has been recognized as one of the "big four of doom metal".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leif Edling</span> Swedish bassist

Leif Edling is a Swedish musician, best known as the bassist, main songwriter and one of the founding members of the doom metal band Candlemass. He is the only constant member of the band since its inception to the present day. Nevertheless, since the band's second reunion in 2002 Edling has been backed up again by founding rhythm guitarist Mats Björkman, who had been absent from 1997 to 2002.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Messiah Marcolin</span> Swedish heavy metal singer

Messiah Marcolin, also known as Eddie Marcolin, is a Swedish singer best known for his work with the doom metal band Candlemass. He is well known for his operatic voice and for his signature "Doom Dance", an exaggerated stomping motion.

Solitude Aeturnus is an American epic doom metal band from Arlington, Texas. Founded by John Perez in early 1987, the original lineup consisted of Perez on guitar, vocalist Kristoff (Christopher) Gabehart, guitarist Tom Martinez, drummer Brad Kane, and Chris Hardin on bass. The name Solitude was chosen to pay homage to the bands Black Sabbath and Candlemass, both of whom had songs bearing the name "Solitude". Solitude Aeturnus released their debut album "Into the Depths of Sorrow" in 1991 with John Perez and Edgar Rivera on guitars, Robert Lowe on vocals, Lyle Steadham on bass and John Covington on drums. Solitude Aeturnus played with Candlemass in Texas in 1991. Their second and most progressive album, "Beyond the Crimson Horizon", was released in 1992. "Through the Darkest Hour", the band's landmark album, was released in 1994. "Downfall", the band's fourth studio album, was released in 1996. "Adagio", released two years later in 1998, featured Steve Moseley on bass, who replaced Lyle Steadham. Lyle Steadham was the main lyricist of the band until then. The band's final album, "Alone", was released in 2006 with a different lineup, as James Martin took over bass duties, Steve Moseley moved to lead guitar replacing Edgar Rivera, and Steve Nichols replaced John Covington on drums. Following a few concerts in Europe, Solitude Aeturnus went into a long hiatus as singer Robert Lowe took over singing duties in Candlemass.

<i>Epicus Doomicus Metallicus</i> 1986 studio album by Candlemass

Epicus Doomicus Metallicus is the debut studio album by Swedish doom metal band Candlemass, released on 10 June 1986 by Black Dragon Records.

<i>Nightfall</i> (Candlemass album) 1987 studio album by Candlemass

Nightfall is the second studio album by Swedish doom metal band Candlemass, released on 9 November 1987 through Axis Records. After being dropped from the label Black Dragon Records, Candlemass were the first band signed to Axis. 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.

<i>Tales of Creation</i> 1989 studio album by Candlemass

Tales of Creation is the fourth studio album by Swedish doom metal band Candlemass released on 25 September 1989. It was reissued in 2001 with a bonus CD.

<i>Chapter VI</i> (album) 1992 studio album by Candlemass

Chapter VI is the fifth studio album by Swedish doom metal band Candlemass, released on 25 May 1992 by Music For Nations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robert Lowe (musician)</span> American heavy metal singer

Robert Lowe is an American singer.

<i>Candlemass</i> (album) 2005 studio album by Candlemass

Candlemass is the eighth studio album by Swedish doom metal band Candlemass, released on 3 May 2005 through Nuclear Blast Records. It is the band's last album to feature vocalist Messiah Marcolin.

<i>Dactylis Glomerata</i> 1998 studio album by Candlemass

Dactylis Glomerata is the sixth studio album by Swedish doom metal band Candlemass, released on 13 April 1998 through Music For Nations. This was their first album released since their split in 1994.

<i>Doomed for Live – Reunion 2002</i> 2003 live album by Candlemass

Doomed for Live – Reunion 2002 is the second live album by Swedish doom metal band Candlemass, released in 2003 through Powerline Records. It was recorded at Stockholm's Klubben on 31 August 2002.

<i>King of the Grey Islands</i> 2007 studio album by Candlemass

King of the Grey Islands is the ninth studio album by Swedish doom metal band Candlemass, released on 22 June 2007 through Nuclear Blast Records. It is the first album recorded following the departure of vocalist Messiah Marcolin, who left the band during the pre-production phase of the album. He was replaced by Robert Lowe, who would stay with the band until his departure in June 2012.

<i>Live</i> (Candlemass album) 1990 live album by Candlemass

Live is the first live album by Swedish doom metal band Candlemass, released on 3 October 1990 through Music For Nations in the UK, and through Metal Blade Records in the US.

<i>Lucifer Rising</i> (Candlemass EP) 2008 EP by Candlemass

Lucifer Rising is an expanded EP by Swedish doom metal band Candlemass, released in 2008 by Nuclear Blast Records. Candlemass recorded two new tracks, "Lucifer Rising" and "White God", and re-recorded "Demons Gate" for this release. The collection is also primarily composed of a series of 9 live tracks recorded in Athens, Greece on their 2007 tour. Recording on the new material was completed in April 2008. The title track, "Lucifer Rising", is included as a bonus song on the digipak edition of the full-length album Death Magic Doom, which was released six months after the EP.

<i>Doomology</i> 2010 studio album by Candlemass

Doomology is a five-CD boxed set released by Swedish doom metal band Candlemass on 20 December 2010 on Nuclear Blast to celebrate their 25th anniversary. It contains two complete live concerts, including the band's first ever show, and three discs of demo recordings and unreleased tracks.

<i>Psalms for the Dead</i> 2012 studio album by Candlemass

Psalms for the Dead is the eleventh studio album by Swedish doom metal band Candlemass, released on 8 June 2012. At the time of its release, the band stated that this would be their final album, though bassist and founding member Leif Edling has since retracted this claim. Psalms for the Dead is, however, the last Candlemass album recorded with singer Robert Lowe, who left the band just six days before its release.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Avatarium</span> Swedish doom metal band

Avatarium is a Swedish doom metal band from Stockholm, founded by Candlemass member Leif Edling in 2013.

<i>The Door to Doom</i> 2019 studio album by Candlemass

The Door to Doom is the twelfth studio album by Swedish doom metal band Candlemass, released on 22 February 2019 via Napalm. It is the band's first full-length studio album since 2012's Psalms for the Dead, marking their longest gap between studio albums, and the first one to feature vocalist Johan Längqvist since 1986's Epicus Doomicus Metallicus. Loudwire named it one of the 50 best metal albums of 2019.

References

  1. "Leif talks about Epicus". candlemass.se. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  2. "Hall of Fame Countdown: Candlemass' Nightfall". decibelmagazine.com. 3 March 2016. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  3. "Epicus Doomicus Metallicus by Candlemass". allmusic.com. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  4. "Solitude by Candlemass stats". setlist.fm. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  5. "Candlemass, Live musicians". metal-archives.com. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  6. "Candlemass: Epicus Doomicus Metallicus - Live at Roadburn 2011". metal-archives.com. Retrieved 28 July 2016.
  7. "Candlemass Discography". metal-archives.com. Retrieved 28 July 2016.