England’s Candlelight Records has without doubt made an impact on the genre of extreme metal. The home to Emperor’s amazing legacy and the early trilogy of recordings from Opeth, the label has introduced the world to some of metal’s most unique and successful artists.
In 2001, the label launched an American division that has since helped the label expand not only its reach to fans but the ability to work with American-based bands. In its initial years, Candlelight’s American division has introduced to stateside metalheads a number of amazing new artists while continuing to represent its initial staple of albums and European bands. The label currently has over 300 albums in its active catalog and continues to strive to deliver new and exciting recordings.
Celebrating its 10 Year Anniversary, the label is profiling key artists and releases throughout 2011. Decibel Magazine has partnered with Candlelight to exclusively present these profiles throughout the year.
To start, we’ve asked The Wretched End, ex-Emperor, & ex-Zyklon guitarist Samoth (aka Tomas Thormodsæter Haugen) to provide discussion points (via streaming audio) on his groundbreaking bands during Candlelight Records’s decade-long reign. Sit back and enjoy.
1. Samoth on ‘World ov Worms’
[audio:https://www.decibelmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/1-World-ov-Worms.mp3]
2. Samoth on Emperor
[audio:https://www.decibelmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/2-Emperor.mp3]
3. Samoth on The Wretched End
[audio:https://www.decibelmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/3-The-Wretched-End.mp3]
4. Samoth on Zyklon
[audio:https://www.decibelmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/4-Zyklon.mp3]
5. Samoth on goals for the year
[audio:https://www.decibelmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/5-Goals.mp3]
Candlelight Records would like to thank Decibel as well all the bands and fans we have met and worked with in our first 10 years and we look forward to many more.
** The Wretched End’s debut album, Ominous, is available now. Order here.
** Zyklon’s new 3-album set, Storm Manifesto, is available now. Order here.
** Emperor albums, the whole lot of them, are available now. Order here.
