Swedish metal legends CANDLEMASS are back to celebrate 30 years of doom with a brand new EP. Four studio tracks featuring Mats Levén on vocals are being recorded during September/October for a special anniversary release early next year on Napalm Records. The cover artwork for the EP, which can be seen below, was created by Erik Rovanperä.

CANDLEMASS has also announced that Levén, who's a longtime friend of the band, is now the permanent singer for the Swedish doom metal squad. Also, Per Wiberg is today an essential part of CANDLEMASS's touring lineup on keyboards and filling in for bassist Leif Edling until he's back in shape again.

"The live shows we’ve done after 'Psalms For The Dead' (2012) have been fantastic," says CANDLEMASS guitarist Mats "Mappe" Björkman. "Mats has done a great job fronting CANDLEMASS and I don’t think we’ve ever been this good on stage before! Wacken, Bang Your Head!!!, Sweden Rock, Hellfest, Metal Days, Metallsvenskan, Maryland Death Fest... We have conquered them all."

Three decades of doom later, CANDLEMASS would also like to celebrate their classic albums on the official web site, www.candlemass.se.

"Epicus Doomicus Metallicus" is the first record out October 1. Expect some cool photos, old articles, a very special audio surprise, merchandise etc. Next one out is "Nightfall", then "Ancient Dreams", followed by "Tales Of Creation".

CANDLEMASS is currently working on an anniversary box set together with Peaceville Records. The set will include the band's legendary breakthrough show at the Dynamo festival in 1988 on DVD and some rare rehearsal stuff from the "Epicus" days. In the box, there will also be a 72-page book about the doom maestros.

Leif Edling is slowly getting better from his chronic fatigue syndrome, and will participate in the EP recordings. Next year you can expect some very cool anniversary shows with Leif back on stage.

Photo credit: Beatrice Edling