Interview with Johan Längquist – Candlemass, Epicus, The Castle and a lifetime of music
Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2026 9:57 am
A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to do an interview with Johan Längquist for my small webzine NIRUZINE.
We talked about his relationship with Epicus Doomicus Metallicus almost 40 years later, how he looks back on his younger voice and the spontaneity of those early days, and what it was like to eventually return to Candlemass as a full time member more than three decades later.
Johan also talks about his own songwriting and Johan Längquist The Castle, his favourite Candlemass albums from the years when he wasn't in the band, and some perhaps less obvious early influences, including punk rock, Ebba Grön and Sex Pistols. He also talks about Ronnie James Dio, Rob Halford, Geoff Tate and old Queensrÿche, performing live and his relationship with the Candlemass fans.
The interview was conducted a few weeks ago, before Johan's recent hospitalisation and the London Metalfest show he unfortunately had to miss. I really hope he is recovering well and that we will hear that epic voice back on stage very soon.
His final words in the interview seem especially fitting right now:
“Never, ever give up.”
Thanks again to Johan for taking the time to answer my questions.
Full interview at NIRUZINE:
https://www.nirucon.se/2026/09/20/inter ... andlemass/
We talked about his relationship with Epicus Doomicus Metallicus almost 40 years later, how he looks back on his younger voice and the spontaneity of those early days, and what it was like to eventually return to Candlemass as a full time member more than three decades later.
Johan also talks about his own songwriting and Johan Längquist The Castle, his favourite Candlemass albums from the years when he wasn't in the band, and some perhaps less obvious early influences, including punk rock, Ebba Grön and Sex Pistols. He also talks about Ronnie James Dio, Rob Halford, Geoff Tate and old Queensrÿche, performing live and his relationship with the Candlemass fans.
The interview was conducted a few weeks ago, before Johan's recent hospitalisation and the London Metalfest show he unfortunately had to miss. I really hope he is recovering well and that we will hear that epic voice back on stage very soon.
His final words in the interview seem especially fitting right now:
“Never, ever give up.”
Thanks again to Johan for taking the time to answer my questions.
Full interview at NIRUZINE:
https://www.nirucon.se/2026/09/20/inter ... andlemass/