“Nightfall” is regarded by many disciples of Candlemass as the aboslute pinnacle of the bands’ achievements through their 20 year tenure on the metal scene. Full to the brim with dark, gloomy, epic goodness, it is hard to consider the album as otherwise.

The music presented on “Nightfall” is generally slow in tempo (although there are some uptempo breaks), and fairly melodic, not much unlike a certain 70s hard rock band fronted by Ozzy Osbourne. The main aspect of the album which makes it stand out from the masses of other Black Sabbath inspired records is the phenomenal vocal performance of the band’s vocalist, Messiah Marcolin, legendary as much for his voice as for his massive afro. His beautiful operatic singing raises songs like “At the Gallows End” and “Samarithan” to classic status. Aside from the aforementioned two tracks, “Mourners Lament”, with its lyrical theme of a father mourning a dead child, and “The Well of Souls” are also brilliant tunes in which Leif Edlings songwriting genius shines through.

When it comes to production, the album sounds slightly dated (but in a charming way), as should be expected of a piece of music recorded more than 15 years ago. All in all, “Nightfall” remains a monolithic slab of absolutely essential epic doom that any self-respecting fan of metal should own.

Year Released: 1987
Label: Active
Related Link: Candlemass Official Website
Date Reviewed: 2003-12-25
Author: Goran