Candlemass is a Swedish doom metal band formed in Upplands Väsby, a suburb of Stockholm, in 1984 by bassist, songwriter, and bandleader Leif Edling, alongside drummer Matz Ekström.

After the breakup of his first band, Nemesis, bassist Leif Edling formed Candlemass, recruiting session vocalist Johan Längqvist, drummer Matz Ekström, guitarist Mats "Mappe" Björkman, and Klas Bergwall.

Additionally, remastered versions of Epicus Doomicus Metallicus, Nightfall, Ancient Dreams, and Tales of Creation were issued, alongside a DVD titled Documents of Doom.

In the interim, Leif Edling launched a new project, Krux, featuring former Abstrakt Algebra vocalist Mats Levén and two members of Entombed.

Candlemass found a new vocalist, Robert Lowe (Solitude Aeturnus),[9][10] who recorded with the band on their ninth album, King of the Grey Islands, released on 22 June 2007.

[11] In March 2008, Mats "Mappe" Björkman was sentenced to two years in prison for grand theft, having been convicted of stealing over 35,000 CDs and DVDs worth approximately 3 million SEK (around $500,000).

[15] The band signed with the Austrian label Napalm Records in 2011, who released their eleventh studio album, Psalms for the Dead, in June 2012.

[16][17] Despite this, bassist Leif Edling stated that the band would not split up, but wanted to stop before they "get too old and start putting out half-lame albums.

"[18] On 2 June 2012, Candlemass announced via their website that Robert Lowe had left the band as vocalist, primarily due to concerns over the quality of live performances.

Lowe was replaced for the band's upcoming shows by longtime friend and collaborator Mats Levén, known for his work with Yngwie Malmsteen, Therion, Treat, and At Vance among others.

Levén had previously worked with Leif Edling in Abstrakt Algebra and Krux and had contributed vocals on demos for the Candlemass and King of the Grey Islands sessions, which are included in the box set Doomology.

[20][21] Despite earlier claims that Psalms for the Dead would be their final album, bassist Leif Edling later indicated that he was open to recording new music with Candlemass.

[32] The band will reunite with former singer Messiah Marcolin for the first time in nineteen years at the Rock Hard Festival in Athens, Greece on 12-13 September 2025.