The Metal Files

Let’s get this straight. I’m a Candlemass fan. I’m a fan of doom metal as well. Not a huge fan, but a fan nonetheless. I’m also a Solitude Aeturnus fan. I simply adored Robert Lowe’s soaring vocals on that stuff. When I had first heard about him joining Candlemass I was pretty excited. Then I bought King of the Grey Islands and totally got let down, mainly by the vocals.

I love all the Candlemass albums with Messiah Marcolin. In general there’s not a stinker in the bunch and his “comeback” album a few years back was nothing short of a great. I even liked the Chapter VI album with Thomas Vikström…A LOT! I really thought Lowe would be a good fit with this guys. I’m wrong. Unfortunately it has taken me buying the last 2 Candlemass CDs to prove it to myself.

His voice sounds tired and uninspired. To be honest, he sounds a lot like Dio on the latest Heaven and Hell album. Some might call that a good thing, but it’s not so good for me. I understand that many of the higher-ranged metal singers of yesteryear can no longer do it, and I can respect and recognize that. But with a band like Candlemass it’s pretty much expected…from me at least.

Lowe sound great on Solitude’s Alone album, still not like the early vocals he did with them but better than he sounds with Candlemass.

*shrug*

I dunno. I’ve listened to Death Magic Doom a few times now and I just can’t get into it. I think I’m going to go listen to Nightfall now.