CANDLEMASS The Door to Doom Album Review | Overkill Reviews

[@StephenBecker]

I don't know that I'd put Firepower over those albums you mentioned, but I *am* still listening to it after a year! Still a hell of an album.

[@gui4816]

And better and british steel

[@philippweisang]

@@gui4816 True

[@kristiankrastanov5995]

hell yeah, now and forever. It's different than older Judas' albums, no need to compare them imo

[@weregretohio7728]

While I might not put Firepower over some of the other albums listed, I don't really see why there's a need to choose between them.

[@ImpureContagion]

Same here

[@BangerTV]

Attention viewers rushing to be First! to tell Sarah she mixed up the numbers 5 and 6: You're not first. It happens. Let's all move on!

[@doomusrlc]

It always throws me off too since it was their 5th studio album but called Chapter VI.

[@ronsin9490]

BANGERTV - All Metal I was rushing to say she’s the most human reviewer on the channel. She reviews within her taste but doesn’t candy ass around things or come across biased or jaded. I think she did a great job, fuck the mistake 🤘🤘 Congrats on 200K.

[@brendonlake1522]

Some of us love to flaunt that we can read Roman numerals!

[@flingar]

Sarah is T-O-P!

[@wilfordgrimley4339]

That's what happens when you hire women...

[@TheHorrorGuru]

I'm still blasting Firepower to this day, so that point kind of flew over my head to be honest haha. But I get what you were trying say.

[@sightlesswisdom2559]

Good review. This is how reviews should be done! Your peers can learn alot from your presentation because you are thorough and your comparisons and explanations are vital to undsrstanding why you are rating this album the way you are. Great job. Thanks.

[@martinjack431]

Firepower is still one of the Priest albums I put on my playlist regularly alongside Painkiller and British Steel.

[@Nappa9000]

Woohoo congrats on 200k subscribers guys!!

[@MysticMindAnalysis]

I'm likely in the minority when I say I ADORE "Death Magic Doom". To me, it's quintessential Epic Doom Metal. Robert Lowe's voice can be both haunting and forceful, and just the whole musicianship to create eerie, hypnotic intros before slamming you in the chest with its powerful riffs is nothing short of spectacular! And that's to say nothing off the catchy lyrics, which get me singing along every time. "Down there in the darkness Centuries of evil And his arms will take you deeper and deeper God lives under water We all seek his kingdom And you feel his embrace, sweeter and sweeter" ANY fan of lovecraftian horror should appreciate how Dagon-like the creature described in "Demon of the Deep" are!

[@aaronbakerbcg3984]

Overkill - The Wings of War

[@petebrown3715]

Hey Sarah, Glad you've been to Chicago and picked up on Candlemass. Great, honest, straight up review. Candlemass are similar to all time classic Chicago doom metal band Trouble. Trouble has gone through different line ups and different sounds but they still kick ass. So that's my ten cents.

[@MrRoundthetwist]

Peter Brown original Trouble is amazing! New stuff not so much w different singer Check out The Skull 💀

[@MyFairOne]

*"And as you can see I take my job seriously because I'm drinking coffee."*

[@markcerne1313]

Says chapter 5 *shows chapter 6*

[@Gregbaltzer]

@DarkAgnesDoom I think it's a great album. I have it on CD and vinyl. Love Thomas in Candlemass and Therion.

[@MultiEviljoe]

DarkAgnesDoom It was their sixth release because they released the Live album after Tales of Creation so I guess they were counting that one.

[@Falxifer95]

I can imagine you standing in the Banger table and telling Sam, Brad, Danny, Blaine and Dylan. NO ONE REVIEWS THIS ALBUM BUT ME!!! And there's Bewitched playing in the background.

[@BangerTV]

How did you guess? :)

[@theminakins815]

YOU are Bewitched! :D

[@fmaaalacmb]

Ancient Dreams was my first Candlemass record and still my favorite.

[@slaydesaid8741]

Ancient Dreams is a truly great album, however the best can only be Nightfall, which was their "breakthrough" album and received rave reviews back in the day. I think it even was album of the year by Metal Hammer or Metal Forces magazine - and for good reason, as it's an amazing piece of work. The band's bass player and leader Leif Edling has later said that they hate the production of Ancient Dreams and I can kind of see why as it's very "pretty" and not very heavy and "full", if you get what I mean (compare the sound to Nightfall and you can tell the difference). That doesn't take away the songs though, and I agree with you that they are top notch.

[@xyhmo]

Same

[@speedrunnerpeter]

FANBOY ALERT. My 5 Favourite Candlemass memories... 1) hearing them (Epicus on cassette) for the first time in 1989 at my mates house in Australia. Life changing and about as far away as you could get from the Byron bay surf culture!!! 2) too good too be true, the comeback show in London 2005. Not In my wildest (ancient) dreams did I think this would happen. They crushed!!! Met them afterwards and jumped on Messiah’s back!!! 3) when my old band Centurions Ghost supported Turisas my mate told me Messiah was in the crowd. I didn’t believe him but it was true. Yes drinking with Messiah was incredible!!! 4)even more incredible and unbelievable, the 20th anniversary show. WOW!!! Seeing Johan and shaking his hand. Thomas Vikstrom was awesome too, took me backstage to a bunch of humble guys who are Metal Masters. 5) playing the same festival as them and then and watching them with Penelope my wife and hanging out with them afterwards. Thank you CANDLEMASS 🖤🖤🖤💀💀💀

[@ademcanvaner2567]

Wonderful review! Sarah's outfit and cross were perfectly appropriate for this video. My favourites from Candlemass are Nightfall, and Tales of Creation.

[@arispanagiotopoulos2533]

Great and detailed review once again, Sarah you're awesome! The Priest albums you chose to compare with Firepower though have different sound, you should compare it with Defenders of the faith, Painkiller, Ram it down etc. I see no reason why a Priest fan shouldn't listen to Firepower for years to come, it's a stunning album, only those who are stuck in the past will keep listening only to old classics. Firepower in my opinion is a classic.

[@philippweisang]

Still listening to Firepower!!!

[@3nder93]

Alan Thrall put the opening to bewitched in a video ‘Why you should be performing heavy singles’. So I’ve only been listening since last February. This band is one of my favourites.

[@mmzmemnoch1261]

Great review, I saw Candlemass with Messiah on the Ancient Dreams tour 1989. They were my favorite band back then. Nightfall, Ancient Dreams, and Tale of Creation were all perfect albums IMO. I did really love the rawness of Epicus but it never hit the musical heights of those other albums to me. Same with this album. My main problem is the overuse of the word doom in song names and lyrics. The best Doom Metal never mentions the word doom, it just is...

[@michaelanderson4849]

I couldn't agree more.

[@JamesLeeDickson]

Sarah - single handily keeping LP record sales alive and well. Keep it up!

[@ThePhilTorretto]

I’m a brand new Candlemass fan when I was challenged to listen to Epicus Doomicus Metallicus last year. As a life long Metalhead I knew of Candlemass but never ventured down the doom path. Holy Shit. I love that alum and am kicking myself for not discovering it in 1986. Loving The Door to Doom.

[@diegoherrera1422]

Being a young teen discovering candlemass and Bathory at the same time was cool enough as is

[@kylekittelberger1417]

Looking at the albums Candlemass has released since they reformed in the early 2000s, I would say that the best two are Death Magic Doom and their 2005 self-titled Candlemass. The Door to Doom in my opinion is the third best in the last two decades. The best track on the album for me is Black Trinity.

[@kristiankrastanov5995]

Firepower is different than the older Judas albums, shouldn't be even compared maybe? I still listen to it and it's still amazing, I don't know why critics like to shit on it so much all of a sudden

[@freddyferrillo9704]

Not being creepy, but I love your long golden hair girl! I also love your review on Candlemass. I wish they could keep a consistent line-up though. Screaming For Vengeance will forever out-live Firepower. That concept is a great analogy. I totally get it.

[@lordabortioncof]

My favourite memory associated to Candlemass was going to concerts with my best friend while cranking Death Magic Doom. Just loving every song on that album.

[@michaelmclaughlin6440]

Been listening to CM since they released Epicus. I love the new one but Messiah is the guy who should be signing with them and no one else. He is Candlemass

[@6339simo]

Congrats on hiting 200k that is awesome and good review by you as always. Candlemass for me has been a band I have troublemgetting into. I can’t exactly explain why, but that is just how I feel about the band. Not a horrible band, but a band I need to listen to multiple times to judge for myself, but I definitly wanna give this one a listen \m/

[@iamsouhell]

Congrats for the 200K!! May the force be with you..

[@mattseager2870]

This is my first Candlemass album and I love it. Tony Iommi’s involvement is why I checked it out, which may be the case for other newcomers as well. Sometimes it sucks to try to get into a band this late in their career. I don’t feel like I’ll ever have the time to properly dive into a 10+ album back catalog.

[@zeroveda]

I am still listening to Firepower for sure!

[@gwts1171]

I didn't even know about that new Sanhedrin! They're great! Thanks as always, Sarah!!!

[@poopfarter9764]

I think death magic doom is a great one. I bought it and listened to it for the first time without expectation. Sort of listening to it as if it was a band i had never heard of before. And my conclusion was, this is f*ckin awesome! And I now have many great memories litening to it on my front porch and in my car. If theyed only release it on vinyl...

[@thelegendofeli3887]

No mention about the Rhapsody of fire new release. 👍

[@rogercastilho19]

Finally someone agrees with me on Chapter VI! It's one of my favorites and it was the first time I heard Candlemass.

[@kasc.9837]

Nice review Sarah! Hails from Colorado!

[@josh-foss]

Firepower is still in regular rotation for me. Not only do I think it's a fantastic album on it's own merit but it also happens to be one of 2 albums I listened to often while my teenage daughter was in the hospital fighting for her life last year, Temple of Void's Lords of Death being the other (great guys BTW). I'd be listening to both of those frequently anyways but since they were there to give me strength during that time, they'll always hold a sentimental value to me that make them stand out. Excellent job on the Candlemass review as well Sarah, I completely concur. Solid as always but not necessarily prominent within the boundaries of the discography.

[@johnnyb357]

Hands down the BEST review done I've seen on this channel! Sarah you're the BEST!

[@Raw799]

Any mention of Johan Langquists much earlier album with Jonah Quizz?

[@RaminMikkola]

Under the Ocean is probably my favorite track from The Door to Doom.Night after Niiiiiggghhhttt! Interesting review Sarah! I also agree that Tony Iommis solo on Cathedral's Utopian Blaster was great! \m/

[@ElizondoAbelardo]

After a year, the only Priest album I listen to more than Firepower is Painkiller. And, it might be because although I've known Priest since like a decade ago I am still too young to had listened to their classic albums when they were released, but I listen to Angel of Retribution as much as Stained Class or Defenders of the Faith.

[@hobbytyrant]

As a 12 year old boy from Sweden I bought Epicus Doomicus Metallicus on a trip to London just because of the sleeve. Tales of Creation was my first of the new mysterious format called a ”CD”. As a 46 year old I saw them open up for Ghost in Stockholm three days ago. They have been with me for a while. :) (I read somewhere that Tobias Forge of Ghost wanted both Messiah and Mats Leven as lead singers for Ghost. How cool would that have been!)

[@blizzlichd1338]

I saw them live here on Portugal vagos metalfest and it was fucking amazing I got chills down my spine, it was raining and it just made a great athomosphere while the songs went on, this band got me a lot into doom, doom started to have a while lot of meaning to me, I found one of my favorites metal sub genres

[@mikeb4858]

Heads up kids! The Astorlus vid is chock full of ladytiddies. I found that out at work! Great review Sarah. You are my favorite reviewer from a thoughtfulness/fairness/informative perspective. BTW, Firepower gets as much play as any other JP album in my house, that is quite a hell of a lot. ;)

[@grimmcore]

Interesting you mention the vocals on Deaths Wheel. Thats what lead me to have a look at the album credits, and lead me to this review, coz i couldn't believe it was him signing. Sounded like he was having to really push his vocals on that track.

[@killingfields07]

I saw Candlemass live 2017 Los Angeles, CA, USA. Great classic set-list, great performance.

[@MrBnfj]

Are you planning on reviewing the Traveler Self-Titled album? I found them from you guys and really loved it.

[@jessedarko]

She’s such a good reviewer.

[@elkr01]

Damn excellent review, Sarah. This was my first candlemass album, and... well... now I’ve listened to them all...

[@halseyballistic]

Epicus, is an amazing, important album in my musical ventures, but Tales of Creation was my favorite album by them. Glad to hear that they are still creating great songs and staying true to their form.

[@AugustoHunter]

Incredible review and the idea of how the record will age is such an interesting point of view, really nice and it´ll make me think about it for such a long time...

[@alexandrunecula7242]

Sarah do you like Queen and Running Wild?

[@kurruptsage]

Im newer to Candlemass - only ever listened to Epicus before picking up Door to Doom last week. Not a Part 2 but it is solid album. Agree with reviewer on the vocals - at times i think i hear some Chris Cornell on the wails/more forced notes. I put DtD back on for Under the Ocean. It just rips. Then i just let the rest of the album play. Great review!

[@spasmolytic1334]

Beautifully articulated reasoning for her rating process/criteria. Keep up the thoughtful reviews!!!

[@lc7581]

Love how much of a metal nerd you are, Sarah. Good stuff.

[@kingeightytwo]

Great, balanced review. No hype. Will definitely check this album out.

[@LoveAnarchyCo]

Great review! I personally loved this record, think the production really suits the band! Been digging for how to get that sound! 🤘🔥

[@oisinmcphillips2090]

Firepower is the only Judas Priest album where I learned to play all of it on guitar. Still love it.

[@Celticelery]

Chapter VI holds a special place in my heart as it was not just one of the first doom metal albums I really got into, but one of the first heavy metal albums I listened to. Such a fantastic record, with such tight guitar work and a unique vocal style employed in it.

[@rockkiall]

New fan of Candlemass as of today! Thanks!

[@theminakins815]

Gonna be awhile before I can give door to doom a listen but I'm sure I won't be disappointed. As you said, none of their albums are bad, even those hazy, surrealistic weird ones like dactylis and 13th sun. Although chapter VI is probably my least favorite full length, it's still good for sure... And I am pretty close on favorite vocalists. I like Messiah just a tiny bit more especially knowing the backstory of how he practically pulled Leif out of a sickened depressive slump and saved the band from just not existing after epicus. But also just vocally more my style. But Johann is so close it's almost a tie...

[@chiragchittar4179]

I am a huge early candlemass fan myself especially with the albums epicus doomicus metallicus and nightfall which isn't a crazy surprise. I have two memories that I will never forget one of them Is listening to the part before the solo for black stone wielder followed by the solo. The second memory for me is when I heard the outro of sorcerer's pledge for the first time with the haunting operatic female vocals. I was 13 when I heard epicus doomicus metallicus in it's entirety for the first time

[@megadef69]

Tales of Creation was the first Candlemass album I heard back in 1989. I still love that album!

[@Chris-sv5zs]

I’m surprised that you guys haven’t done Wings of War yet! You guys usually do the albums a day or two after the release.

[@cROSSingth3RUBICon]

I adore Candlemass and I agree with every word of your review. I do hope I still listen to this album plenty in the future, but you're probably right.

[@brianasciak1668]

great review Chapter 5 & King of the Grey..also like take time to digest them. Tales of Creation was the first my uncle introduce me too

[@mister_syre]

How many bands do you know who can split, reunite with another singer, reinvent themselves and keep releasing quality new albums?

[@sonnykarlsson4410]

I First heard a band called Nemesis on the radio, but I never heard the name of the band but it was really slow and heavy. I tried to find out who they were but I gave up after a couple of years, then I stumbled onto Candlemass which sounded very similar but even better productionwise and so on. I later found out it was really same band. Think there is a nemesis track on one Candlemass album even.

[@Albrekdt2]

I think many can agree that Dactylis Glomerata is not their most... beloved album. (I personally like it, though.)The thing is that it was not really supposed to be a Candlemass album in the first place at all. It was going to be Abstrakt Algebra's second album. (Leif Edling's side-project) The record label pretty much forced them to use the name in order for the album to sell. Leif has said that he only agreed to release the album under the Candlemass brand for economic reasons.

[@bewalker25]

Epicus has changed my life either, when I first heard that it has brought me feelings that I could not explain, the way I listen to heavy music has changed for ever. And you are right, there is no need for a epicus doom 2, that is impossible, it is unique. They have other works with diferent aproachs, and amazing albuns by the way. Let them be free to create. Amazing review!

[@kristofbe1]

Sarah reviewing the new Candlemass record? Instant like!

[@Eccentricjuices]

I first heard nightfall last year, I’m a huge Black Sabbath fan. I wanted to sprout out into the doom genre, at that time I already knew about sludge metal (crowbar, coc, the melvins), and I really wanted to check out some doom metal, so I first heard about Candlemass. When I first heard nightfall, took a rip out of the bong and god damn, it was like if Black Sabbath did an opera, it was great. In my eyes Messiah will always be their best singer. Love the Tony iomi cameo in this album.

[@cicero.0209]

I'm still ROCKING firepower and another STRONG 2000s or 2010s records of 80s bands , like Endgame, Dystopia, The book of souls, the door to doom, Blood of the Nations, etc etc.

[@Carlzdash]

Great review, the Priest analogy was on point, I've even listened to "turbo" more than "Firepower" since it came out. About Candlemass. I will surely be coming back to "door to doom" cause it's "easier" to listen than more traditional doom.

[@cmcm366]

Yeh... I actually still am listening to firepower over the rest. Sorry Sarah

[@tehCostHD]

DarkAgnesDoom I am still listening to it as to me, it is there most consistently good album overall (as well as painkiller) as every other priest album has songs that I find just okay. But not this album. I can listen to it start to finish and love every second and still wish it were longer. Firepower is seriously one of my all time favorite metal albums.

[@NMahon]

@@tehCostHD I love firepower but for me it's gotta be Defenders of the Faith, so many amazing songs on that album it kicks screamings ass imo, listen to it again and you'll know

[@tehCostHD]

Niall Mahon oh hell yeah I listen to defenders all the time it’s definitely number 3 for me with songs like the sentinel and freewheel burning. But songs like love bites are just okay for me so as a whole album I prefer firepower but that’s just me defenders is still a top tier album

[@cmcm366]

DarkAgnesDoom the songs across the whole record are very consistent. That hasn’t really been part of a priest album in decades, everything rips. Also the production and the performances are so tight. I also think that with some bands like priest (and maiden too) you can become very familiar with the older material and it the experience of listening to an entire album can be less immersive because of it; firepower exists only in the here and now and that’s pretty refreshing. Don’t get me wrong, still love the older stuff especially Sad Wings!

[@kevindudley9617]

I still listen to Firepower quite regularly. I cannot say the same for Redeemer of Souls however.

[@vladimirurss]

Thanks for the review Sarah ! I still listen to half the songs of Firepower because the other half is bad or insignificant. Still a solid album but IMO Priest's best album since Rob's comeback is Nostradamus. When I first got into heavy metal years ago, I remember discovering Candlemass with the title track of Psalms for the Dead. It totally blew me away, I felt instantly something special about this band. A lot of darkness, solemnity and mystery. Then I listened to Epicus and I was a fan !

[@tibetbukan8360]

Let's find out

[@vladalucard7265]

For me... I Listen for the first time the Nightfall Album while living in italy in 1992 , since i hear that Album i'm a big Candlemass Fan, love epicus, doomicus, metalicus but i also love the records with Messiah, which is the perfect Candlemass singer in my opinion. BUT i was also surprised how good is the New Album.... Since it comes out i'm only listening that Album

[@yatsenkoanton]

I actually listen to Firepower a lot even now, so as Nostradamus. It just depends on how you personally liked the album. Firepower is freakin' strong. Not sure if this whole album is totally great, but I can see Astrolus and Omega Circle being me long-time doom favourites

[@toothsnaggleer]

Thanks for this insightful and personal review in a short burst of time. Hail Candlemass.

[@satanwest2923]

Still love and listen to Firepower, but I get the point ur making. Love ur vinyl btw. Keep up the good reviews!

[@Ken-ps7my]

Firepower is still amazing Nightfall is my go to candlemass album

[@derekd1997]

Didn't realize Candlemass had a new one, let alone with the original singer, I'm psyched will buy this one blind I think. Also, you guys should hire a power metal listener, more than just USPM. You need coverage of the new Avantasia, Beast in Black, upcoming Twilight Force, etc. Someone who is unapologetic about cheese and flower.

[@willemlenders8272]

I listen to Firepower on a regular basis. My first Candlemass records were EDM and Ancient Dreams which I bought on a whim and loved instantly. Those vinyls will go with me to my grave. King of the grey Islands is a very good record, better than the self titled I'd say.

[@bartjacobs8551]

Still listening to Firepower. I find it a truly amazing record. I didn't think it was neccesary to have Johan's vocals on House of Doom. IMO Mats Leven is a great singer but for the rest of the album Johan's still pretty good but I expected a bit more from The door to doom beacuse of the tracks that were released before.. Favorite Candlemass album would be Nightfall.

[@clockchoke1]

Candlemass-Ancient Dreams and Cathedral-forest of equilibrium in my opinion the two hands down doom albums of all time. But will check this album out forsure

[@miguelangelous]

Great objective review Sarah 🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼 I also consider “King Of The Grey Islands” their best album, this new one “The Door To Doom” 2nd and “Epicus...” 3rd. I’ll give a try to “Chapter VI” based on your opinion 👌🏼

[@MsAlen111]

Don`t know about chapter 5 but chapter 6 is a great album :-D

[@markwilliams8829]

Thanks for the review. A year later still listening to firepower 🔥

[@jasonleonard4000]

Firepower is a more consistent LP than Screaming. Screaming has a lot of filler and "clunky" production.

[@Gregbaltzer]

I disagree. I would take Screaming any day over Firepower. I kind of get tired of Firepower about 1/2 way through, I feel like it's an over bloated album of sameness. Firepower is a case of "less is more" for me. If it had been around 40-45 mins with more variance on song writing I would have preferred it more. I prefer the Screaming because every song feels different. And I really prefer the production of Screaming. I really can't stand the modern metal productions of guys like Andy Sneap.

[@jasonleonard4000]

Fair points. I find production/engineering/songwriting on Defenders more to my liking.

[@Gregbaltzer]

@@jasonleonard4000 Screaming for Vengeance was my first metal album back in 1982, and it's the album that turned me onto metal. I could understand someone liking Defenders more.....I probably do to. I'm okay with Priest continuing to tour, and I understand them wanting to continue to make albums, just without K.K. and with Glenn in his current condition I think they should call it a day on making albums. I'd love for Rob to continue with his solo career because I loved the Halford albums more than the last bunch of Priest albums.

[@jasonleonard4000]

I would love more Halford albums!!

[@troycleek3985]

Defenders of the Faith is way better than Screaming. I listen to the great songs off S.F.V. but I listen to the entire Defenders of the Faith album

[@adamherring6356]

Big Candlemass fan. I started getting into the band Trouble. I friend said I should listen to this band Candlemass. So I did. I'm still angry I didn't find them sooner. Now one of my all time favorite bands . I have seen them twice. They just kill. Long live Doom. The new album is killer.

[@AlinStrut]

It's a a huge impact for me to see a masterpiece like this album. Great review, Sarah.

[@rorybentley9847]

Everyone does a great job on reviews here but Sarah is outstanding, possibly the best music reviewer on KZbin.

[@mikee5909]

I know candlemass is big doom band, but I'm not familiar with candlemass' music. That said, is it me or does the vocalist in the clip from the beginning sound a bit like Warrel Dane.

[@christopherallen4173]

'Firepower' is still my jam a year on, and holds up with the best of their discography.

[@jeffschwerdtfeger6728]

I love the Waterloo Records sticker!!! We are dooming down in Tejas)))

[@vintagevinylvets1187]

None of us as a rule are doom metal, black metal fans. We’ve heard of Candlemass but never listened to the band. That being said, we LOVED “Astorulos-The Great Octopus!” The Tony Iommi solo blew us away!! 🔥🤘

[@shaikaqmal5229]

Nightfall is probably my favourite Candlemass album but I saw them perform with Mats on vocals and he totally killed it. When i heard they axed him, i was really disappointed cos he's been there performing with them for years and i really wanted to hear him on a full length. That said, after listening to the new album a few times with Johan on vocals, it's a good, but not great Candlemass album. Not because Mats isn't singing, but it just isn't a great album overall.

[@themarkedman72]

Sarah reviews candlemass=must watch. Don’t really agree with what you are saying on several points but hey...awesome, thoughtful and insightful. Still the best thing on banger!!