Singer MATS LEVÉN Is Not Joining CANDLEMASS As Permanent Replacement For ROBERT LOWE

June 4, 2012

Legendary Swedish doom metallers CANDLEMASS have parted ways with singer Robert Lowe. According to the band, this was "a very difficult decision" to make and "has mainly to do with the quality of the live performances."

For the upcoming shows, Robert will be replaced by Mats Levén, a former member of YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, THERION and TREAT, who also plays with CANDLEMASS bassist/mainman Leif Edling in KRUX (see video below).

In a statement to BLABBERMOUTH.NET, Mats said, "I'm helping my friends in CANDLEMASS with the shows booked so far. Looking forward to that, for sure. [However], the only band I'm a permanent member of is KRUX."

CANDLEMASS is currently rehearsing new and old songs with Mats and "we know that nobody attending the gigs at Debaser Slussen, Metaltown, Borås or Southern Discomfort will be disappointed," the band says.

Also joining the group for the upcoming live performances will be keyboard player Per Wiberg (OPETH, SPIRITUAL BEGGARS).

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 will release its 11th and final album, "Psalms For The Dead", on June 8 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.

CANDLEMASS will celebrate the release of the new album with June 5 performance at Debaser Slussen in Stockholm, Sweden. The band will play a full set that will contain songs from the new CD, a few surprises and some classics.

Fan-filmed video footage of KRUX — the Swedish band featuring Edling, Levén, ex-ENTOMBED drummer Peter Stjärnvind, guitarist Jörgen Sandström (also in THE PROJECT HATE, ex-ENTOMBED/GRAVE),OPETH/ex-ARCH ENEMY guitarist Fredrik Åkesson and keyboardist Carl Westholm — performing the song "The Hades Assembly" on December 29, 2011 at Debaser in Stockholm, Sweden can be seen below.

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