"If they would have kept Johan on from the first album this could have been in contention for their best album. I know there are some people who do actually prefer Messiah, but that's just crazy talk. Still a great album obviously, but it has to stand behind Epicus."
I can completely understand where you're coming from, Mr. GG! I enjoy both singers equally, so it's a win-win for me as a huge fan! The debut is absolutely incredible. I'd have it ranked #3 in the catalog, only behind my #2 "Nightfall", and my top Candlemass album, "Ancient Dreams". Really psyched to have Johan back in the band, though! "The Door to Doom" and "Sweet Evil Sun" would both rank in the top half of the discography for me.
"EDM is the better album for sure. I almost can't compare Candlemass with Marcolin to Candlemass with Johan. They just feel like two different bands. Such a shame they weren't able to get back in contact with Johan again until much later, after the failed experiment with Rob Lowe. I'm also one of those weirdos who thinks the self-titled with Marconlin is worthy of standing with their classics even if Marcolin was kind of a grouchy dough-boy by that point."
The self-titled album is another great release! It's moved a bit down my list since it first came out, but only because the whole catalog is so good. The Robert Lowe era is fantastic to my ears. "King of the Grey Islands" is in my top 5 Candlemass albums. His voice is perfect for the doom sound. Out of curiosity, what was it about the Lowe era that you disliked?