Ever since they birthed the genre in 1986 with the legendary “Epicus Doomicus Metallicus”, Candlemass has reigned as the undisputed kings of Epic Doom Metal. For four decades, the Swedish masters have been weaving some of the most monolithic, heavy, and hauntingly beautiful riffs in music history, proving that true power lies in slow, crushing majesty.

Today, Sound Stories by Jo and metalwar.gr are deeply honored to bring you an exclusive interview with the mastermind and main songwriter of the band, Leif Edling, diving deep into their timeless legacy and creative dark flame.
Prepare yourselves for the ultimate sonic weight.

Let the ritual begin: 12+1 questions

Jo: First of all, Leif, welcome to Sound Stories by Jo and metalwar.gr. It is an absolute honor to have the master architect of Epic Doom with us.
Celebrating 40 years of Candlemass feels less like a simple anniversary and more like a testament to survival. Your new Black Star EP proved that the flame is still burning. When you sat down to write the track Black Star, did
you feel the weight of your own legacy pressing on your shoulders, or is songwriting still a clean slate for you?
Leif: Well, yes and no I guess. I’ve written lots of songs during the years that people appreciate so I can’t write anything similar or borrow too much from myself. People always say to me that I should do ”EPICUS pt 2” or ”The return of Nightfall” but I don’t wanna do that. I know some bands/artists do this, but I really would like to explore the universe of Candlemass a bit more than just repeat old classics. We do this enough live I think!!
I love to write songs…best thing I know!!

Jo: Johan Länquist’s vocals on the new material carry a very mature, weathered darkness. How does his modern vocal approach redefine the way you arrange the heavy riffs today compared to 1986?
Leif: Yeah, Johan really bring s some weathered darkness to the plate:-) Even more so now since he’s got some shit in his lungs that makes him even more the Tom Waits of Doom! Hopefully the doctors will find out what it is soon and sort it out. We wanna keep for some more shows and records hahahaha! But Johan is a trooper. He soldiers on and nothing can or will make him miss a gig. Like the rest of us. A long as we can stand and travel we’ll carry on into the sunset!

Jo: Covering Black Sabbath’s Sabbath Bloody Sabbath is a bold move, even for the kings of Epic Doom. Most bands copy the riffs, but you captured the paranoia of the original. What is the most misunderstood element of Black Sabbath’s songwriting that Candlemass wanted to highlight?
Leif: Maybe the metal aspect? For 40 years I’ve done interviews and been talking to fans, press, people, and they all want to talk to us about Black Sabbath. And of course always comparing us to Sabbath. Saying that both bands are so slow and heavy. Sure we both are, but the metal side of things is very important to us and to Sabbath too I think. Even their first song ”Black Sabbath” is a bona fide metal statement. And they churn out these bone hard negative riffs all through the 70’s. Another interesting thing is their intricate arrangements. The songs are masterfully crafted. From chords to harmonies. Not supereasy to copy for instanse ”Sabbath Bloody Sabbath”. But I think we do an ok job with it. I’ve heard worse hehe…

Jo: The EP includes the instrumental track Corridors Of Chaos. Without lyrics to guide the listener, what specific emotional state or narrative were you trying to build through this piece?
Leif: I do want people to feel something when they listen to Candlemass. And ”Corridors of Chaos” is probably my favourite track off the new ep. If people get goosebumps, or chills, or just get happy listening to Candlemass, I’ve done my job! If they get angry because the music is so crappy, that’s an emotion too, hahahaha! And with an instrumental piece like ”Corridors” it does allow me to paint it out a bit as a songwriter. An ep is the perfect tool to go a little bit outside the box so to speak.

Jo: On August 22, 2026, you are headlining Over The Wall Festival in Crete, marking your first-time performance on that historical island. Considering how fanatical the Greek crowd is, do you prepare differently when entering a
completely new territory within a country that already treats you like gods?
Leif: Yeah, in a way. Last time we were in Greece we did the reunion with Messiah, and the track listing was a bit different. This time we continue to celebrate our 40:th anniversary so well dig a bit more into the old back catalogue. We’ve played most old stuff already during the past years so it’s not easy to come up with an interesting
setlist for the die-hards. And when we do play something unusual or new, people complain because it means that a classic was left out of the set. We’ll see what we can do. We love our greek fans and will do our best to keep everybody happy.

Jo: It is a well-known fact that Greece kept the flame of Candlemass alive during eras when the rest of the world was turning its back on traditional doom. Why do you think the Greek soul resonates so deeply with the specific
melancholic majesty of your music?
Leif: I have no idea. But I’m very honoured! Greek fans seem to embrace the old school style of doom and metal. Maybe that is what it is? Fans in Greece often tell me that we are ”True”! So I guess being true is to honour classic bands like Sabbath and Pentagram + the early 80’s metal. I don’t know what goes on in greek souls:-), but a lot of people here seem to worship the beginnings of doom and metal and raise hell on our shows, so this is a wonderful phenomena! We certainly do this! We love old school stuff like Accept, Anvil, Angelwitch, Manilla Road, Savatage, Warlord, Lizzy,
Maiden, Motörhead etc etc….

Jo: When you play tracks like Solitude or Bewitched in Greece, the crowd often sings the guitar melodies louder than the PA system. As a musician, does this shift the experience from a standard rock concert to a shared spiritual ritual?
Leif: Yeah, guess you can call it that! It sometimes happens in Italy or South America too.. but most often in Greece where we have a fantastic audience! They are very enthusiastic and also very cunning. They know the songs inside and out, and also want to SING them! I’ve had many goosebump moments in Greece, and hope for another one in Heraklion Sometimes I think we play too often in Greece, but every time the audience is amazing and many fans tell us to come back soon…so this is what we do!:-) We’ll come back as long as you want us to!

Jo: Doom metal is fundamentally obsessed with mortality, time, and decay. After 40 years of writing about the end of things, has your personal relationship with death and the afterlife evolved, or does the darkness still remain an unsolved mystery?
Leif: Well, I think in the beginning the lyrical contant was more about fantasy, horror, sword and sorcery stuff. Nowaday it tend to be more apocalyptic themes. Our beloved planet is getting darker by the day it seems, and I cannot avoid to let it slip into my lyrics. I’m also getting older, with a body that is not functioning the way it used to. I’m taking a whole bunch of pills every day to keep sugar-levels and blood pressure down, happy pills and what not… so when you feel extra mortal, the grave coming closer with every breath you take, it’s also good food for lyrics:-)

Jo: Leif, you have openly faced severe health issues (like chronic fatigue syndrome) in the past, yet you never stopped creating. Is the process of writing heavy music a therapeutic release that cures you, or is it a demanding demon that drains your remaining energy?
Leif: I always feel a bit better when I write riffs and songs. I love it! Best feeling in the world when you can sit down with your guitar and pretend that you’re Tony Iommi hahahaha!
And yeah, it’s a bit energy draining to go to my friend Marcus studio to record riffs and demo ideas for songs. It takes me about an hour one way, and I’m really tired when I get back home. But it’s also very rewarding at the same time. Most of the times I also feel great after the studio. Like I have achieved something, even if a song might not see the light of day ever hahahaha! But just to play along in the studio, with Marcus, have a laugh, is fxxxing great! One of the best things I know! Pure Doom Metal Therapy!
The thing that is the hardest for me to do these days is the constant travelling that we do. Many loong trips to the States, South America, Japan etc… even the shorter trips within Europé take their toll on me. After a weekend of constant travelling, not so much sleep, hours in airports, intense live shows, I’m a total wreck when I get back home. Can’t even pick my son up after school sometimes because I’m too tired. Got no energy. Can’t take him to his football practise, and this sucks big time! But it is what is is. He is 10 years old now and he understands. He is a great kid and knows that I got this bloody Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. He knows I don’t have the same strength as other fathers.
People often ask me how I can do all these live shows with the burnedoutness I have. And the simple answer is – Adrenalin. Pure adrenalin gets me through. I’ll be a wreck when I get home, but it’s worth it I think.

Jo: In the 1980s, metal was driven by mystique, physical tape trading, and a sense of danger. Today, everything is calculated by algorithms and instant streaming gratification. Do you feel that modern technology has stripped metal of its soul, or has it just changed the tools of the trade?
Leif: I’m sure a lot of people today love metal as much as we did back in the old days, and the ones who uses computers today to create their music are just as dedicated as we were. Different tools, same metal heart:-)
But to answer your question, to use algorithms to create music. I think that is pure lazyness. With no heart involved at all. Talentless, lazy producers do this. For listeners that doesn’t care about music. They just want something they can chew easy.

Jo: Many pioneering bands eventually become tribute acts of their younger selves, living purely on nostalgia. What is the exact antidote to creative stagnation for a band that has already written the definitive masterpieces of its genre?
Leif: Well, I’m sure some people would say that Candlemass reached their peak a long time ago hehe.. But WE don’t think so. The ”Black Star” ep got great reviews and I strongly feel that we have at least one good album inside us before we call it a day. Maybe two!! We’re a good band, that happens to be a great live band also! And we’ll keep on doing this ’til we can’t do it anymore. ’Til somebody dies or they’ll kick us off the stage! Passion is the answer man. Passion!

Jo: Looking at the current lineup, you are essentially the same core of people who built this legacy. When you look across the stage during a show, do you still see the young rebellious kids from Upplands Väsby, or do you see a group of veterans who have conquered everything?
Leif: A bit of both. We are definately scarred veterans of the metal wars! Lars is still Lars and Jan is still Jan. For good for worse hahahaha!! My band of brothers are pretty much the same people but 40 years later. They can still drive you crazy of course, but I do truly love each and one of them and I don’t wanna do this without anyone missing. Would’nt be the same thing.
After 40 years, we haven’t had enough yet! There are still records to be made, territories to be conquered. We’ll tour Australia for the first time this year for instanse. Will be a blast! Maybe India next year? China? Antarctica? Soon there’s no parts of the world where we haven’t been:-) We’re true Missionaries of Metal!

Jo: 12+1: If you could go back to 1986, right before the needle hit the vinyl for the first press of Epicus Doomicus Metallicus, and you could whisper just one sentence into your younger selfs ear, what would that be?
Leif: Just go for it!

Interview – Text: Joanna Gonas