Going through the process of preparing my review for Candlemass' second full-length release "Nightfall" has been one of the most difficult and demanding tasks that I have been assigned with in recent times.

Logic dictates that this should not really have been the case, seeing as I have spent hundreds, if not thousands, of hours listening to the ten featured compositions during the last twenty or so years, yet I feel that I can justifiably attribute such difficulties to the fact that what I attempt to do here is to write a review for an album capable of conveying such a vast variety of strong emotions that even the most descriptive and elaborate of words are doomed to certain failure in describing its beauty and importance.

"Nightfall" came out two years after the release of the band's legendary debut "Epicus Doomicus Metallicus" and much as I know that the band's first release will always hold a special place in my heart, I strongly believe that this ten-track release is slightly superior in many different ways. One thing that "Epicus..." slightly lacked was coherence, containing brilliantly performed compositions that only worked as individual units rather than a collective effort. That important attribute definitely characterises the band's second release and was successfully achieved not only through the addition of many short/connecting intros such as "Codex Gigas" and "Marche Funebre" in between songs but also by a masterly arranged underlying vibe/mood that brings together compositions of such a diverse nature as "Samarithan" and "Dark Are The Veils Of Death".

More importantly, though, "Nightfall" introduces the Doom Metal bard Messiah Marcolin as the frontman of Candlemass - a collaboration responsible for the creation of a number of classics that are still cherished by the fans of the genre and metalheads alike.

An introduction of epic proportions such as "Gothic Stone" is ideal in paving the way to the dynamic Doom Metal 'monster' that goes by the name "The Well Of Souls" and straight after the opening notes of this killer composition fills the air, I once again begin to realise the limitations behind any written language in describing the emotional state in which I am gradually drawn into. Riffs and guitar melodies are simple, typical of the band's musical approach, but for the first time in the band's career there seems to be variation within each given composition - an approach that will become the main characteristic of each of the band's future releases. A great support comes from Messiah - an operatic singer whose voice is not only stronger, but covers a wider range that that of former frontman Johan Langqvist, adding both character and colour to this composition.

From that point onwards, listening to "Nightfall" becomes a one way trip to a musical world so mysterious and beautiful, that no person in their right state of mind would ever deprive themselves from undertaking. "At The Gallows End" is another titanic composition which brilliantly conveys both the band's aggression and sorrowful melody, whereas "Samarithan" with its slow mournful riffs and dark atmosphere is "Nightfall's" answer to "A Sorcerer's Pledge".

The second half of the album contains many more surprises for the unsuspecting listener, namely a seven minute technically challenging Doom Metal composition with a killer main riff and a memorable melodic refrain named "Dark Are The Veils Of Death", the melancholic vocally driven opus "Mourners Lament" and "Bewitched" - a rhythmical mid tempo dynamite that contains all those ingredients that make Candlemass' music so unique and special.

Up until 1987 the global game of Doom Metal domination was played between the United Kingdom and the States, but a band from the north suburbs of Stockholm managed to change the rules of the game by releasing what I personally consider to be the best European Doom Metal album in the history of Heavy Metal. I urge you to get your hands on this great reissue, which also features an additional CD containing live tracks, studio outtakes, demo versions, a nice interview with members of the band and an enhanced video for "Bewitched" and discover for yourselves why bands like Cathedral, Opeth and Primordial name this beautiful album as a source of inspiration! An absolute musical diamond whose purity is too precious to be jeopardised by my limiting - in - nature rating!

Review by John Stefanis