Epicus Doomicus Metallicus - Candlemass (1986)

Underground metal in the 80s had gotten to be an arms race: who could play faster, scream louder, and shred harder.

Candlemass came on the scene with a different plan. They threw it back to the Black Sabbath doominess that had been the original focus of the music. The riffs were slow and heavy, the vocals were expressive (and maybe a bit over-dramatic), and the whole thing slowed down so you could get into it.

Tracks I Liked

Demons Gate - they let loose with just a bit of black metal drumming that adds to the mood rather than distracting

Crystal Ball - a prog-heavy jam

Black Stone Wielder - top notch