CANDLEMASS will deliver a one-time, world-exclusive performance featuring former vocalist Messiah Marcolin at this year’s Rock Hard Festival Greece, set for September 12-13, 2025, in Athens.
After Marcolin left CANDLEMASS (seemingly for good) in 2006, following the release of their self-titled album the year prior, Robert Lowe (of SOLITUDE AETURNUS) took over. Lowe fronted the band for King Of The Grey Islands (2007), Death Magic Doom (2009), and Psalms For The Dead (2012). From 2012 to 2018, Mats Levén, known for his work with Yngwie Malmsteen and THERION, was CANDLEMASS‘s vocalist. In 2018, they dismissed Levén and brought back Johan Längqvist, who had sung on their 1986 debut, Epicus Doomicus Metallicus, before being replaced by Marcolin.
When CANDLEMASS announced their departure with Marcolin, band said in a statement at the time: “You have heard the rumours and it is with a heavy heart we must make this official. The band have tried to solve the situation several times, but Messiah cannot be persuaded to sing on the new album. His attitude and demands are way too unreasonable. I’m very sorry about this, not surprised though.
“We have all been very disappointed with Messiah‘s behaviour during the previous years reunion, especially with his childish and undemocratic way to “discuss” matters before the May recording at Polar in Stockholm. It’s not cool when one person refuses to listen to other people, don’t give a s**t about his bandmates and demands special treatment. Sure, a little bit of primadonna vices is allowed in a band. But when it comes to the extent that it’s ‘my way or the highway’ in every little discussion that comes up, it is not fun anymore.
“We like the thought of five equal metalheads playing together, having fun in the rehearsal room, at gigs etc. That’s the whole point of it if you ask us. Unfortunately negativity and stupidity have been dictating the rules for CANDLEMASS lately. We hope you all can understand how disappointed we are. And angry! Disappointed with the fact that a grown man can behave so badly towards others – his friends – and for such a long time. And so easily, when he doesn’t get everything he wants, throws it all away.
“We’re still in shock! We never thought it was possible for somebody in this great band to have such a bad attitude towards his bandmates! We are also angry that we have bought the s**t for so long. Been f**ked over so much, so many times since the reunion 2002. It’s really shameful! It only took a couple of gigs to understand that Messiah wasn’t back to make friends, so we have fought hard to keep this together for you – our fans. It’s been a rough ride, but when you stand in front of 200 or 2000 or even 20 000 screaming fans it’s worth all trouble.
“And yes, it was close that last album didn’t include Messiah, but we made it happen because we love this music and we love that you guys love us!! But it was the last album with Messiah Marcolin on vocals. We can’t deal with the big man anymore. Sorry!! We tried to reason with him before the recording of the new one but Messiah‘s behaviour was beyond the acceptable.
“Mr. Marcolin has been too much to take and the reasons behind his departure from Candlemass are not very flattering for him. No details, sorry….too embarrassing. On the positive side (there is one!), this can make the band stronger and lead to something better. We don’t stand and fall with Messiah Marcolin. We will look hard for a worthy replacement because we got a superb album recorded already. With the right voice it will kill!! We hope for a new start with CANDLEMASS, a band we love way too much to ditch because of one rotten apple!”
Reeder, the visionary behind Metal Addicts, has transformed his lifelong passion for metal into a thriving online community for metal aficionados. As a fervent devotee of black metal, Reeder is captivated by its dark, atmospheric, and often unorthodox soundscapes.