In a contemporary chat with Neil Jones of TotalRock, Candlemass singer Johan Längqvist opened up about Candlemass‘ current particular look with former vocalist Messiah Marcolin. The collaboration occurred at Rock Exhausting Competition Greece on September 13, 2025, in Athens.
When requested whether or not the efficiency was deliberate as a single, standalone occasion, Johan mentioned: “Yeah, that is the way in which it was alleged to be.”
“Candlemass have been highly regarded in Greece once they began up the band,” he continued. “And now the followers have seen me performing with Candlemass in Greece for a few years. So, they simply had a want that, ‘Might you do one thing with Messiah as effectively?’ And we have been all speaking about it. And all of us mentioned, ‘Yeah, for certain.’ And it turned as much as be one present with Messiah,” he added.
He was additionally requested if he joined Messiah Marcolin on stage for the set. Johan made it clear he didn’t: “No, no, no, no. I wasn’t there in any respect, truly. However Messiah had my blessing.”
Johan went on to elucidate that whereas he is aware of a lot of the vocalists who’ve fronted Candlemass through the years, his private reference to Messiah Marcolin is comparatively new: “I just about know all of the singers which were in Candlemass by the years, however truly I simply met Messiah final 12 months. And we have had a few nights collectively. We’re grown-up folks nowadays. If the followers needed to see a present with Messiah, I haven’t got an issue with that in any respect, truly.”
The looks at this 12 months’s Rock Exhausting Competition Greece was a notable second for long-time listeners, marking Messiah Marcolin‘s first dwell efficiency with Candlemass in practically 20 years.
Chatting with Rock Hard Greece editor Sakis Fragos after the present, Marcolin was clearly thrilled concerning the expertise: “That was some implausible present with Candlemass on the Rock Exhausting Competition Greece.
“I wanna thank all of the followers from all around the globe who traveled from 40 completely different nations — huge, huge thanks from the center. And likewise all of the Greek followers, who traveled all throughout Greece to come back right here. It was, like — I do not know — 4,500 folks [going] loopy and everybody was singing, and it was a lot enjoyable — singing, screaming, doom dancing, simply the way in which it needs to be. So I am very joyful about it. And an enormous thanks.”
Marcolin additionally hinted there could possibly be extra exhibits with him on the mic: “I by no means mentioned that is the one present we’re gonna do — Leif [Edling, Candlemass bassist and main songwriter] mentioned that.
“However I might inform all of the promoters of the world, get involved with Candlemass‘s supervisor, Mr. Olé Bang, and attempt to guide Candlemass that includes Messiah Marcolin, as a result of I simply suppose it is such a disgrace for all of the Candlemass followers on this planet not to have the ability to see [us play], those who could not be there [in Greece]. That is how I really feel. I do not know the way they really feel. They’re in all probability uninterested in me already, however I simply suppose it could be nice.”
He added: “If they’ll deal with us as effectively, these promoters and the massive festivals in Europe and all around the globe, in Japan — I do not know — all over the place, if they’ll deal with us in addition to Rock Exhausting Competition Greece did, I see no drawback with taking part in any extra exhibits. ‘Trigger we’re all getting previous, and I am the youngest — I am 57. I am going to at all times be the youngest. However anyway, what I am saying is I do not see a purpose for it to not occur once more. For me, it is sort of just like the classic Candlemass.”
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