This album was the one to introduce me to Candlemass, and how lucky i was. 'Ancient Dreams' is a fantastic example of how good doom metal can get, whilst also providing the listener with such a gloomy, dull atmosphere. Not quite as good as the first two albums, but it still has its moments.

Messiah Marcolin gave Candlemass its mass.

I think the vocals on here are extremely annoying at times, really too over-the-top. I guess I just highly prefer Johan Längqvist over Messiah Marcolin (even though he did the vocals on Nightfall as well). Overall this album is far less great than Nightfall and especially EDM.

Still a good album, but honestly I can't enjoy it a lot. Somehow the style is very different from the first two albums (especially the debut), as for example this is way less doomy.

Written by Erik M. on 07.12.2013 at 18:04

I think the vocals on here are extremely annoying at times, really too over-the-top. I guess I just highly prefer Johan Längqvist over Messiah Marcolin (even though he did the vocals on Nightfall as well). Overall this album is far less great than Nightfall and especially EDM.

Still a good album, but honestly I can't enjoy it a lot. Somehow the style is very different from the first two albums (especially the debut), as for example this is way less doomy.

I really like the album, and Messiah is a great overall vocalist, but he is too theatrical at times on this. Mirror Mirror in particular bothers me a little. I personally find the album after this one to be the better album.

Written by Guest on 07.12.2013 at 18:28

I really like the album, and Messiah is a great overall vocalist, but he is too theatrical at times on this. Mirror Mirror in particular bothers me a little. I personally find the album after this one to be the better album.

Yep, I agree about Messiah but he's overdoing it here in my opinion. On Nightfall he did a way better job. Or it's just that the music there appeals to me more, just like the music on EDM appeals to me the most out of the albums I've heard so far. I haven't heard the 4th album (I'm chronologically checking out their discography... taking my time). Is it more similar to this one, Nightfall or EDM?

Written by Erik M. on 07.12.2013 at 18:44

Yep, I agree about Messiah but he's overdoing it here in my opinion. On Nightfall he did a way better job. Or it's just that the music there appeals to me more, just like the music on EDM appeals to me the most out of the albums I've heard so far. I haven't heard the 4th album (I'm chronologically checking out their discography... taking my time). Is it more similar to this one, Nightfall or EDM?

On the whole I'd say Tales of Creation is heavier and doomier in tone than this. I only heard it relatively recently with respect to when I first heard the 3 original albums and I kicked myself to leaving it so late as I thought it was of their mediocre middle-era albums, which it totally isn't. There's a slightly cheesy power metal-esque instrumental in Into the Unfathomed Tower but that's easily overlooked.

Give it a go yourself some time.

Written by Guest on 07.12.2013 at 18:47

On the whole I'd say Tales of Creation is heavier and doomier in tone than this. I only heard it relatively recently with respect to when I first heard the 3 original albums and I kicked myself to leaving it so late as I thought it was of their mediocre middle-era albums, which it totally isn't. There's a slightly cheesy power metal-esque instrumental in Into the Unfathomed Tower but that's easily overlooked.

Give it a go yourself some time.

From your description I'm guessing I'd like it more than Ancient Dreams. Thanks anyway, I'll check it out.

Not very happy about the production. Guitar sound is weak and flat compared Tales of Creation. Songs are decent Candlemass stuff though.

A bit as Erik says, weakest whit Messiah IMO, best song here was a cover song then 1th one, even epicenes of song titles are cool as well

Just received my signed vinyl of this album and gave it a full spin today. I must say it was worth every penny. Also not sure if it matters much but I think the original album cover had blue text for the album, "Ancient Dreams" instead of the white-colored letters here.