Candlemass - 'Sabbath Bloody Sabbath' (Black Sabbath cover)

You seen right through distorted lies
You know you have to learn
The execution of your mind
You really had to turn

The race is run the book is read
The end begins to show
The truth is out, the lies are old
But you don't want to know

Nobody will ever let you know
When you ask the reasons why
They just tell you that you're on your own
Fill your head all full of lies

The people who have crippled you
You want to see them burn
The gates of life have closed on you
And there's just no return

You're wishing that the hands of doom
Could take your mind away
And you don't care if you don't see again
The light of day

Nobody will ever let you know
When you ask the reasons why
They just tell you that you're on your own
Fill your head all full of lies
You bastard

Where can you run to
What more can you do
No more tomorrow
Life is killing you
Dreams turn to nightmares
Heaven turns to hell
Burned out confusion
Nothing more to tell

Everything around you
What's it coming to
God knows as your dognose
Bog blast all of you
Sabbath bloody sabbath
Nothing more to do
Living just for dying
Dying just for you

Το 1985 θεωρείται ως το έτος δημιουργίας των Candlemass, τυπικά τουλάχιστον καθώς υπήρχαν από το 1982 (ως Nemesis). Κάτι το οποίο πρακτικά σημαίνει ότι η μπάντα συμπληρώνει φέτος σαράντα έτη "ζωής" και καλλιτεχνικής ύπαρξης (τυπικά είναι λιγότερα βέβαια καθώς οι Candlemass έκαναν και κάποια... διαλείμματα). Για να γιορτάσουν τα γενέθλια κυκλοφόρησαν σήμερα ep τεσσάρων τραγουδιών: δύο νέα και ισάριθμες διασκευές, με το δελτίο τύπου να μας δίνει τις λεπτομέρειες:

«Candlemass, the Swedish godfathers of epic doom, honour their 40th anniversary of pioneering the genre with a four-track EP, Black Star.

Packed with canyon-deep riffs, this celebration of doom metal mastery is set for release on May 9, 2025 via Napalm Records. On Black Star, the genre-defying band unveils two brand-new songs alongside two cover versions of timeless classics.

Title track, “Black Star”, blends haunting melodies with deeply introspective lyrics, brought to life by the dark, romantic voice of vocalist Johan Länquist. Songwriter Leif Edling’s lyrics delve into themes of existential struggle, temptation, and the allure of darkness - creating an intense atmosphere imbued with Candlemass’ signature sound.

The second new track, “Corridors Of Chaos”, marks a true old school instrumental containing both classic metal riffing and stunning guitar playing by Lars Johansson, showcasing the band’s mastery of dynamics.

Adding to this tribute, Candlemass delivers a cover of Black Sabbath’s iconic “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath”, taking listeners back to 1973. This is followed by their rendition of Pentagram’s classic “Forever My Queen”, further cementing Candlemass’ remarkable contribution to shaping the genre into what it is today.»

Band: Candlemass
Country of origin: Sweden
Location: Stockholm
Formed in: 1985
Genre: Epic Doom Metal
Lyrical themes: Dark fantasy, Religion, Doom, Life, Death, Hell
Years active: 1982-1984 (as Nemesis), 1985-1994, 1997-2002, 2004-present

Video: "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath"
Video produced by: Ingo Spörl
Album: "Black Star"
Type: EP
Release date: May 9th, 2025
Label: Napalm Records
Format: CD, Vinyl, Digital

Track listing:
1. Black Star
2. Corridors of Chaos
3. Sabbath Bloody Sabbath (Black Sabbath cover)
4. Forever My Queen (Pentagram cover)

Band members:
Leif Edling - Bass, Vocals
Mappe Björkman - Guitars (rhythm)
Jan Lindh - Drums
Lars Johansson - Guitars (lead)
Johan Langquist - Vocals