So, Finland’s Chaoszine cornered CANDLEMASS vocalist JOHAN LÄNGQVIST (or Johan Langquist, depending on your autocorrect) and asked if he’ll be belting out doom anthems alongside the band’s former frontman, the legendary MESSIAH MARCOLIN, at the Rock Hard Festival Greece in Athens this September 12-13, 2025. His response? Classic Swedish chill: “No, I’m not a part of that performance, because the Greeks, they loved CANDLEMASS from the very beginning, and we are very popular in Greece. And I think the reason is because [MESSIAH] has a part of their history, the music listeners in Greece. So I do respect they wanted us to do a gig with MESSIAH.” Translation: “Nope, I’m sitting this one out—let the guy with the monk robe and the operatic pipes have his moment.”
JOHAN added, “What can I say? I wish him the best. And he was a character in the band and we’ve actually met two nights together, partying together. And I wish him the best. I hope they’re gonna make a great show down there. Yeah, that’s it.” Ah, the camaraderie of doom metal—where even ex-bandmates bond over… whatever they bond over. Mead? Candles? Probably candles.
Let’s rewind: CANDLEMASS, the OGs of epic doom metal, basically invented the “crush-your-soul-while-sounding-like-a-medieval-battle” genre with classics like “Epicus Doomicus Metallicus” (1986) and “Nightfall” (1987). Fun fact: The Latin-sounding album titles weren’t just for drama—they probably scared off at least three other bands from trying the same thing. Bassist LEIF EDLING has kept this doom train chugging since the ’80s, even dragging JOHAN back into the fold in 2018 after a 32-year hiatus. Talk about a reunion tour.
Speaking of revolving doors: JOHAN dipped after that first album, making way for MESSIAH’s operatic reign. Then MESSIAH bounced in 2006 (for the “last time,” they said—spoiler: it wasn’t), followed by a parade of vocalists including ROBERT LOWE (of SOLITUDE AETURNUS fame) and MATS LEVÉN, who’s sung for everyone from YNGWIE MALMSTEEN to THERION. But hey, in 2018, CANDLEMASS decided nostalgia sells and brought JOHAN back. Because why stick with one singer when you can have a lineup roulette?
Random crossover alert: In 2022, MESSIAH and CANDLEMASS guitarist MATS “MAPPE” BJÖRKMAN crashed ANVIL’s Stockholm gig to play “Metal On Metal”—the song that basically named a genre. First time sharing a stage in 16 years? Sounds like someone finally returned a borrowed amp.
Fresh doom alert: CANDLEMASS just dropped the title track for their 40th-anniversary EP, “Black Star”, out May 9 via NAPALM RECORDS. Because four decades of crushing riffs deserve a victory lap. Meanwhile, JOHAN’s solo project, JOHAN LANGQUIST THE CASTLE, is releasing its debut album on CD and vinyl June 27 through I HATE RECORDS. Pro tip: It’s been floating digitally since 2024, but let’s be real—doom metal sounds better on scratchy vinyl.
