"Solitude" is a song by the Swedish

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band Candlemass. It is the opening track on the band's debut studio album, ''

Epicus Doomicus Metallicus ''Epicus Doomicus Metallicus'' is the debut album of the Swedish doom metal band Candlemass. It was released June 10, 1986 on Black Dragon Records. On its release, the album had a significantly different sound than other European heavy metal ba ...

'', released in June 1986. It is one of the band's

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s, and has been a feature of all the band's live setlists since the release of the album.

Composition and lyrics

The song was written by bassist and primary songwriter

Leif Edling Leif Edling (born 6 August 1963) is a Swedish musician, best known as the bassist, main songwriter and one of the founding members of the epic doom metal band Candlemass. He is the only constant member of the band since its inception to the pr ...

in 1985 along with the rest of the debut album. The guitar solo in the song, along with those on the rest of the album, is performed by session musician Klas Bergwall. The lyrics are written from the perspective of someone who suffers from severe depression and longs for death.

Live and notable performances

The song is a live staple at Candlemass shows. In recent years, it has been used as the last song of the set. In 2007 and 2013 it was performed with former lead singer Johan Längqvist, and in 2011 it was performed along with the rest of ''Epicus Doomicus Metallicus'' at Roadburn Festival in the

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for the live album ''Epicus Doomicus Metallicus - Live at Roadburn 2011''. It has appeared on the live albums ''

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'', '' Doomed for Live'', ''No Sleep 'til Athens'' and ''Ashes to Ashes: Live''.

Personnel

*Johan Längqvist – vocals *Klas Bergwall – lead guitar *Mats Björkman – rhythm guitar *

– bass *Mats Ekström – drums

References

{{Authority control 1986 songs Songs about suicide Candlemass (band) songs