I reference Candlemass quite a bit, but I've only written about one of their more obscure releases - From the 13th Sun - which isn't even a typical album from them. Unlike many of the metal bands I've been listening to of late, Candlemass is a band I did manage to keep up with real time. In fact I own all their albums except their latest The Door to Doom. Ancient Dreams was released in the middle of their 80s heyday. With the striking Thomas Cole painting and Messiah Marcolin in his prime, Ancient Dreams most assuredly is one of their best albums... right? For me, it's one of my least favorites. And that includes some of their off-the-beaten path albums like the aforementioned From the 13th Sun and Chapter VI. And I say that coming off a recent +1 listen. That is to say, the album is still excellent but it seems like it should be so much more. It may be the production which isn't meaty enough for music such as this. Also it seems the band goes on auto pilot, buys a ticket, and watches Marcolin sing. Doom metal is at its best when it shifts unexpectedly, something Candlemass are masters at - but not so much on Ancient Dreams. Classic Candlemass album worth owning? Absolutely. But not their best effort.
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