Within the circles who appreciate the influence and importance Candlemass had on the Doom Metal genre during the late eighties and early nineties wait with baited breath. Candlemass's first studio album in over six years and the first to feature Messiah Marcolin since 1988's "Ancient Dreams", is proceeded with a weight of expectation and more than a pinch of anticipation. Unlike many reunions of late, the Candlemass of 2005 don't appear to be treating their re-found fame as a cash cow opportunity and all differences that sank previous reunion hopes appear to have been put well and truly behind them.

This self titled "come back" album is simply packaged, reflecting the bands stripped back attitude towards their music. All songs to appear on the record are written by Candlemass voice piece Leif Edling, and with the exception of "Witches" all are new to the ears of the majority of listeners.  While "Candlemass" reunites the classic line-up that produced the aforementioned "Ancient Dreams" and the equally impressive predecessor "Nightfall", the band have resisted the temptation to rehash reworked material or retread over old ground. There are of course enough crushing Sabbath inspired riffs o slate the thirst of even the most avid of doom merchants, while still throwing enough variations that only the likes of Candlemass in all their grandeur could pull off.

Opening track "Black Dwarf" is a riff heavy, metal propelled thunder bolt of a song. Just the opener anyone waiting these six long years had hoped for. Messiah Marcolin's vocals have lost none of their power in the decade or so since his last Candlemass appearance and like an old friend at any reunion, it is like you've never been apart. Offering a variation of styles and tempo's that contrast almost as much as night and day; the construction and balance of the album is well thought out and has a maturity that only comes with the assurance that like a well oiled machine, all cogs work perfectly with one another. While this offering has some way to go to achieve the staggering heights of previous albums, perhaps the next generation of doomers will look to Candlemass al a 2005 as their generations "Ancient Dreams".