CANDLEMASS Mainman LEIF EDLING To Sit Out More Live Performances Due To 'Health Issues'

Legendary Swedish doom metallers CANDLEMASS have released the following statement:

"We just want to tell our fans/bookers and agents that our bass player and songwriter engine Leif Edling will, unfortunately, be off stage yet a year 'cause of health issues. He is on his way to get better, so we will wave the flag high with our keyboard player Per Wiberg (OPETH, SPIRITUAL BEGGARS) or Jörgen Sandström [GRAVE, ENTOMBED], who will do the bass work instead, while Leif is getting better."

CANDLEMASS' current touring lineup includes three members of its classic formation: Mats "Mappe" Björkman on rhythm guitar, Lars Johansson on lead guitar and Janne Lindh on drums.

CANDLEMASS played its first show with singer Mats Levén on June 5, 2012 at Debaser Slussen in Stockholm, Sweden.

Levén is a former member of YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, THERION and TREAT, who also plays with CANDLEMASS bassist/mainman Leif Edling in KRUX.

CANDLEMASS in June 2012 parted ways singer Robert Lowe. The band stated at the time that this was "a very difficult decision" to make and had "mainly to do with the quality of the live performances."

Lowe — who is still a member of SOLITUDE AETERNUS — joined CANDLEMASS in January 2007 and sang on the band's last three studio albums: "King Of The Grey Islands" (2007),"Death Magic Doom" (2009) and "Psalms For The Dead" (2012).

CANDLEMASS released its 11th and final album, "Psalms For The Dead", on June 8, 2012 via Napalm Records. A limited-edition seven-inch vinyl single contaning two album tracks —"Dancing In The Temple Of The Mad Queen Bee" and "The Killing Of The Sun" — preceded the full-length effort on April 13, 2012.