CANDLEMASS boss Leif Edling is doubling down – nope, this Messiah reunion ain’t turning into a tour, folks. One night only, like a metal Cinderella story… minus the glass slipper and pumpkins.
As leaked earlier, MESSIAH MARCOLIN (the gloriously robed dude who looks like a doom metal monk) will belt tunes with CANDLEMASS at Rock Hard Festival Greece on September 12-13, 2025 in Athens. Fun fact: Marcolin hasn’t screamed “EPICUS DOOMICUS” with these guys since Bush Jr. was president. Let that sink in.
In a chinwag with Sakis Fragos from Rock Hard Greece, Edling spilled the anniversary tea: “Well, it feels great. We’re throwing a 40-year party with merch, a spicy EP, Swedish gigs, and this Greek shindig. Oh, and there’s a documentary? wink Keep those throwback pics coming, kids!” (Transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET, because metalheads need receipts.)
On more Messiah shows? Leif shut it DOWN: “One. Show. Only. No albums, no tours, no merch line of Messiah-branded cloaks. We’re hitting Greece to rage with our ride-or-die fans. Surviving 40 years? That’s like discovering a unicorn in your riff vault.”
Is this the big emotional closure with Messiah? Edling snorted: “Closure? Bro, that ship sailed when flip phones were cool. This is a bonus gig for the ‘I Miss the Robe’ fanclub. Let’s drink ouzo and pretend it’s 1987 again.”
Setlist gossip? “Classics + surprises. No spoilers, but nobody’s leaving to flip gyros. Trust me.” (Side note: CANDLEMASS invented “epic doom” before TikTok made everything “epic,” okay?)
When asked about band drama, Leif shrugged: “Singer swaps? Classic rock ‘n’ roll. We’re the OG lineup plus Johan – the guy who ghosted us after ‘86’s Epicus Doomicus Metallicus (aka the blueprint for slow-mo headbanging). Now he’s back, and we’re unstoppable. Crowds still scream louder than my tinnitus!”
JOHAN LÄNGQVIST (current vox) confirmed he’s sitting this Messiah collab out: “Greece loves their nostalgia. I’ll be vibing at home with my solo project.” Fun fact: His new album JOHAN LANGQUIST THE CASTLE drops June 27 via I Hate Records – subtle.
