candlemass
20:22 Sunday, 6 November 2022
Former Candlemass vocalist Messiah Marcolin and current Candlemass guitarist Mats "Mappe" Björkman joined Anvil on stage at Slaktkyrkan in Stockholm, Sweden, making it the first time the duo performed together in 16 years. Marcolin sang on a handful of classic Candlemass records between 1986 and 1991, and the band is currently fronted by Epicus Doomicus Metallicus vocalist Johan Längquist.
In an interview with Blabbermouth, Björkman said he and Marcolin agree that Längquist should be the vocalist for Candlemass until they eventually break up… but he's still open to Marcolin joining the band on stage for some songs or even an album anniversary. Björkman specifically mentions Nightfall, which turns 30 years old in 2027, though a closer anniversary is Ancient Dreams, which turns 25 years old in 2023.
"The circle is closed, that's for sure. That's where it is — no doubt about that. The circle is closed. That's the thing I wanted for many, many years. He's going to be the proper singer for Candlemass until we close Candlemass. But, to answer your question, if we would have an anniversary with Nightfall and he [Marcolin] could be doing that album, that's an open door. Of course, it is. It's the same with him. I understand Messiah — he doesn't want to be doing one song with Candlemass. He's said the same thing to me: 'Johan is the proper singer now. I'm not going back to Candlemass to be the singer.'
"It would have to be an event, an anniversary for an album. That door is open. It's not closed, no way. But Johan is still the proper singer of Candlemass, so no one is going to think we're going to take Johan out of the band for Messiah. Johan knows it. He's said the same thing. We're still family. I wouldn't have anything against seeing Messiah do Nightfall."
In the meantime, check out Björkman and Marcolin doing their thing with Anvil below.
