May 4th, 2012 - Black Dwarf Porter

Good evening!  Tonight I am pairing Candlemass' 2005 self-title album and Deschutes Brewery's Black Butte Porter.

"Candlemass" is the 8th studio album of Swedish doom metal outfit, Candlemass, a band with thick roots growing from the Black Sabbath tree.  "Candlemass" was released this very week 7 years ago.  "Candlemass" opens with the faster, heavy hitter, "Black Dwarf," which leads into the more doomy/Sabbath-inspired "Seven Silver Keys."  That same doomy/Sabbathesque sound continues into "Assassin of the Light" and on through much of the rest of the album in songs like "Copernicus," "Witches," and "The Day and the Night."  Band leader, writer, and bass player Leif Edling and drummer Jan Lindh present a mighty and pounding rhythm section while the huge range of Messiah Marcolin's vocals soar over the chunky guitars of Mats Mappe Bjorkman and Lars Johansson.  This multi-layered and complex doom album really is heavy hitting!

Here's the complete track list:

1. "Black Dwarf" – 5:43
2. "Seven Silver Keys" – 4:59
3. "Assassin of the Light" – 6:29
4. "Copernicus" – 7:17
5. "The Man Who Fell from the Sky" – 3:26
6. "Witches" – 6:22
7. "Born in a Tank" – 4:56
8. "Spellbreaker" – 7:02
9. "The Day and the Night" – 8:52

And what better pairing to the darkness and heaviness of "Candlemass" than a dark brew... specifically Deschutes Brewery's Black Butte Porter!  The Black Butte pours a deep black with a creamy, tan, 0.5 finger head with good lacing.  The nose is earthy and rich like high-end coffee beans.  The mouthfeel is very creamy... probably one of the creamiest porters this blogger has had.  Those chocolate malts really come out in the flavor in this multi-layered and complex porter.  Like "Candlemass," there is a sharp edge (hoppy) to it as well, but it finishes smooth, velvety, and chocolaty! 

Check out Deschutes Brewery and all their fine brews at www.deschutesbrewery.com and make sure you pick up a copy of "Candlemass" from my buddy Kevin at the Heavy Metal Shop: www.theheavymetalshop.com or www.facebook.com/TheHeavyMetalShop/info#!/TheHeavyMetalShop!