Candlemass Hail “Scandinavian Gods” in New Single, New Album Coming This November

Doom metal legends Candlemass are back at it again with the announcement of a new album, Sweet Evil Sun, along with its first single, “Scandinavian Gods.” Due out on November 18 via Napalm Records, the new record is the band’s follow up to their 2019 release, The Door to Doom.

Though it’s been a long time since they dropped Epicus Doomicus Metallicus, which effectively created the doom metal genre, founding member and bassist Leif Edling said this new LP will be a welcome addition to any doom metal devotee’s repertoire.

“Sweet Evil Sun is about hope, striving, adoration and failure. It’s about all the personal battles that you have, but also the never-ending decay of humanity.

The record took over a year to make and there’s not a bad track on it! We had a fantastic time recording it and are really looking forward to the release. It’s Doom, It’s Metal! It is the essence of Candlemass put into one album!”

Produced by Marcus Jidell and recorded in Stockholm, Sweden, the band says it took roughly 18 months in total to bring Sweet Evil Sun to life. Over that time, the album became a new piece of art that they say also hearkens back to the band’s early years.

As for their new single, “Scandinavian Gods” features a deliberate tempo and tone that screams doom metal. Edling said the track draws on some pretty big influences.

“’Scandinavian Gods’ is Slayer meets Queen and Judas Priest! It’s about heritage and future and the fact that It is sometimes absolutely necessary to leave or at least doubt your old gods. It’s about the hardship in this, and the irony in the fact that you see yourself being drawn back to them over and over again, into these black circles and the forgetfulness of the past.

Where do we wanna be? What shall we believe in? Do we need them to build a better future?”

Sweet Evil Sun will be available on November 18 — just in time for the chill to set in — and is available for preorder now via Napalm Records.