Candlemass, the Swedish pioneers of epic doom metal, have released their 40th-anniversary EP, Black Star, on May 9, 2025, via Napalm Records. This four-track release features two new songs and two cover versions of classic tracks.
The title track, “Black Star,” showcases haunting melodies and introspective lyrics, delivered by vocalist Johan Längqvist. “Corridors of Chaos” is an instrumental piece highlighting guitarist Lars Johansson’s dynamic playing. The EP also includes covers of Black Sabbath’s “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath” and Pentagram’s “Forever My Queen,” paying homage to the band’s influences.
Black Star is available in various formats, including digital, CD, and limited-edition vinyl. The special vinyl edition features a 12-page booklet, an A3 poster.
To commemorate their 40th anniversary, Candlemass is performing at several festivals throughout 2025, including a special reunion with former vocalist Messiah Marcolin at the Rock Hard Festival in Athens, Greece.