A bit of a disappointment (King Of The Grey Islands - Candlemass)

Member Name: dangaroo

Product:	King Of The Grey Islands - Candlemass
Date:	06/01/09 (19 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Some decent doom riffs in there

Disadvantages: Not a fan of concept albums or Lowe's singing

When it comes to the Swedish doom metal pioneer legends that are Candlemass, I really loved their first album Epicus Doomicus Metallicus and Johan Lanqvist who was the session vocalist on that album remains my no.1 choice of singer that they've had over the years. What I liked about him was his low end vocals as despite being a metal fan, I can't be doing with too much falsetto or balls in the vice Jack Blackesque screaming. Candlemass then moved on to Messiah Marcolin who despite singing quite a lot in the high range, had a simply awesome range and a pretty damn good voice - undoubtedly the fan's favourite vocalist over the years.

This album sees a new line-up with American Robert Lowe joining the Swedish band whilst continuing his role in Solitude Aeturnus at the same time. Robert Lowe has a more commercial voice to my ears that suit more heavy metal metal than doom. A lot of the riffs are still there, though they are not as groundbreaking or inventive as on former recordings. Another downer for me is that it's a concept album about suicide and depression in today's society, I've never been a big fan of concept albums as it means too many tracks with a similarity, there are very few who can get away with them in my eyes and Candlemass haven't quite pulled this off.

It's not bad but there are few songs if any that stand out and I don't think I'd include any on a "Best of Candlemass" album. At a push I would say that "Clearsight" is the best.

1. "Prologue" - 0:56
2. "Emperor of the Void" - 4:29
3. "Devil Seed" - 5:44
4. "Of Stars and Smoke" - 5:38
5. "Demonia 6" - 6:23
6. "Destroyer" - 7:52
7. "Man of Shadows" - 6:17
8. "Clearsight" - 6:52
9. "The Opal City" - 1:13
10. "Embracing the Styx" - 8:19
11. "Solitude" - 5:58 (Bonus track on digipak)
12. "At the Gallows End" - 5:22 (Bonus track on digipak)

Summary: Never mind Lowe or Marcolin - bring back Lanqvist!