November 9, 1987, Candlemass released “Nightfall” and the band was about to enter a new chapter. Their debut, “Epicus Doomicus Metallicus”, had already laid the foundation, but this time they had a new voice at the front. And what a voice it was.
Messiah Marcolin made his debut with the band, bringing those huge operatic vocals, dramatic delivery and unmistakable stage presence. Add Leif Edling’s heavy riffs and songwriting, and you get one of the albums that helped define epic doom metal.
This is slow, dark and heavy music, but never boring. “Nightfall” has atmosphere, emotion and some seriously memorable songs. And behind the album are a few stories worth knowing.
A New Voice, A New Era for Candlemass
The lineup featured Messiah Marcolin on vocals, Leif Edling on bass and songwriting duties, Mats “Mappe” Björling and Lars Johansson on guitars and Jan Lindh on drums.
Messiah’s arrival changed the band’s identity. His high-vibrato, almost operatic singing gave the songs a theatrical feel that became a big part of the Candlemass sound.
Musically, the band also moved forward from the debut. The songs had tighter structures, more dynamic changes and an even heavier, gloomier atmosphere. You can hear the influence of Black Sabbath, Trouble and Saint Vitus but Candlemass had their own way of making doom sound epic.
He Got the Job by Singing Over the Phone
This is one of the best stories connected to the album.
Messiah Marcolin was already a huge fan of “Epicus Doomicus Metallicus”. One night, he called Leif Edling and decided to audition in a rather unusual way.
He sang “Solitude” entirely a cappella over the telephone.
No studio, no microphone, no backing track. Just Messiah’s voice coming through the phone in the middle of the night. And apparently, that was enough to make an impression.
“Bewitched” and a Very Unusual Music Video
If you’ve watched the video for “Bewitched”, you probably remember the villagers moving together behind Messiah. It’s strange, theatrical and perfectly suited to the song.
But here’s another interesting detail: it was the first music video directed by Jonas Åkerlund. Before becoming a famous director who worked with artists like Madonna, Metallica and Rammstein, Åkerlund had been the drummer for Bathory.
And there’s another face hiding in the crowd. Look closely at the background extras and you can spot Per Yngve Ohlin, better known as Dead. At the time, he was singing for the Swedish band Morbid before moving to Norway and joining Mayhem.
Not exactly the kind of cameo you’d expect in a Candlemass video!
The Cover Art Was Messiah’s Choice
The original working title for the album was “Gothic Stone”, but Messiah had other ideas. He pushed for the name “Nightfall” and also selected the artwork.
The cover comes from Thomas Cole’s 19th-century painting “Old Age”, part of his series “The Voyage of Life”. The band continued the idea on their next album, “Ancient Dreams”, using Cole’s painting “Youth”.
The artwork fits the music perfectly. Dark, dramatic and full of that feeling that something is coming to an end.
A Broken Arm and a King Diamond Connection
During the 1987 tour, guitarist Lars Johansson broke his arm. Mike Wead, later known for his work with King Diamond and Mercyful Fate briefly stepped in.
He also took part in the album sessions and wrote the eerie instrumental track “Black Candles” though he left the band just before the release and went uncredited on the original pressing.
A short stay, but one that left its mark on the record.
“Samarithan” Almost Didn’t Make It
Here’s something fans of “Samarithan” might find surprising.
The song was actually written during the recording sessions for “Epicus Doomicus Metallicus”. But original drummer Mats Ekström rejected it, and it never made the debut album.
The band brought it back for “Nightfall”, this time with Jan Lindh behind the drums. And it became one of the album’s standout tracks.
Imagine if it had stayed in the drawer. We might never have got this version of “Samarithan”.
The Songs That Made “Nightfall” Special
There are plenty of reasons to return to this album, but these tracks deserve special attention:
- “The Well of Souls” – Following the short intro “Gothic Stone”, this massive opener sets the mood with slow, grinding riffs and Messiah’s dramatic vocals.
- “At the Gallows End” – One of Candlemass’s most loved anthems, with heavy riffs and an emotional vocal performance.
- “Samarithan” – A powerful song with biblical and moral themes, and one of Messiah’s finest moments on the record.
- “Bewitched” – That unforgettable main riff, theatrical vocals and a music video you won’t easily forget.
- “Dark Are the Veils of Death” – One of the heaviest and most driving tracks on the album, packed with a gloomy atmosphere, aggressive riffing and excellent guitar solos.
- “Mourner’s Lament” – Slow, emotional and deeply atmospheric. A perfect example of what Candlemass do so well.
“Nightfall” was more than just the arrival of a new singer. It brought together the right voice, the right songs and a sound that would become one of the most recognizable in epic doom metal.
Released on November 9, 1987, through Axis Records and produced by Candlemass, with Ragne Wahlquist handling the engineering, the album remains a landmark for the band and the genre.
So, what’s your favorite track from “Nightfall”? “Bewitched”, “Samarithan”, “At the Gallows End” or something else?
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