Nightfall (album)
| Nightfall | ||||
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| Studio album by Candlemass | ||||
| Released | 9 November 1987 | |||
| Recorded | July–September 1987 | |||
| Studio | Thunderload Studios, , Sweden | |||
| Genre | Doom metal | |||
| Length | 46:37 | |||
| Label | Axis | |||
| Producer | Candlemass | |||
| Candlemass chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Nightfall | ||||
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| Professional ratings | |
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| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   |
| The Collector's Guide to Heavy Metal | 8/10 |
Nightfall is the second studio album by the Swedish doom metal band Candlemass, released on 9 November 1987 through Axis Records. After being dropped from the label Black Dragon Records, Candlemass were the first band signed to Axis. The group had a new line-up from their previous album including vocalist Messiah Marcolin, whose decisions became instrumental during the production and release stages of the album.
Two singles were released from Nightfall: "Samarithan" and "At the Gallows End". A music video was directed by for the song "Bewitched" by Jonas Åkerlund. The album has been re-released in various formats and was followed up by Ancient Dreams in 1988.
After being dropped from Black Dragon Records due to the disappointing sales of their previous album Epicus Doomicus Metallicus (1986), Candlemass became the first band signed to David Constable's British label Axis Records. Constable had decided to sign the band after being impressed with their demo tape for "Bewitched".
The group's line-up had changed since their previous studio recording. Jan Lindh had replaced Mats Ekström who had left the group due to not finding enough time for rehearsals. Lars Johansson had also joined the band. During a tour in 1987 with King Diamond, Johansson broke his arm and was replaced by guitarist Mike Wead. The final band member was new vocalist Messiah Marcolin, who phoned Leif Edling to sing an a cappella version of "Solitude" as an audition.
Like the previous album, Nightfall was recorded at Thunderload Studios in Stockholm with Ragne Wahlquist as engineer. Wead's brief membership in Candlemass lead to him allegedly recording rhythm guitar, harmony and acoustic guitars and keyboards on the album, although the only thing that is confirmed by the band as his is the recording of his song "Black Candles". Marcolin's influence became stronger, including the recording of the song "Marche Funèbre" on his suggestion and brought to the band's choices of the album cover, based on Thomas Cole's paintings "The Voyage of Life", and of the title Nightfall, rejecting Edling's original title for the album Gothic Stone. The song "Samarithan" was originally written during the recording sessions for Epicus Doomicus Metallicus, but was rejected by former group member Mats Ekström.
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