Candlemass – Tales Of Creation (35th Ann. Marble Vinyl)

Candlemass’ Tales of Creation, released in 1989, is a towering achievement in epic doom metal—grandiose, introspective, and steeped in mythic atmosphere. As the band’s fourth studio album, it marked the end of their golden era with vocalist Messiah Marcolin, whose operatic delivery adds a dramatic edge to the album’s sweeping themes. The record unfolds as a loosely conceptual journey through cosmic origins and spiritual reckoning, with tracks like “The Edge of Heaven” and “A Tale of Creation” exploring metaphysical terrain through crushing riffs and solemn melodies.

Musically, it refines the band’s signature sound: slow-burning tempos, thunderous guitar work, and a sense of theatrical grandeur. “Under the Oak” is revisited from their debut Epicus Doomicus Metallicus, while “Into the Unfathomed Tower” offers a rare burst of speed and instrumental virtuosity. The production—handled by Mats Lindfors and the band—returns to the clarity and power of their earlier classics, correcting the muddier mix of Ancient Dreams and giving each instrument room to breathe.