Johan Langquist, the current singer for doom legends Candlemass, has released his first solo record under the band and album title of Johan Langquist - The Castle. The music blends elements of '70s hard rock, traditional metal and, of course, doom metal, all supporting Langquist's booming, throaty vocals. There are cuts that embrace the guitar and keyboard tradeoffs and the subtle Middle Eastern melodies of Rainbow ("Where are the Heroes") and others that the go for simmering trad/doom like Grand Magus ("Raw Energy," "Freedom") and while it may not be an album that hits you instantly, it is definitely a grower with layers that are revealed on subsequent listens. Johan Langquist - The Castle's hard rock/metal/doom should have a lot of appeal for fans of Rainbow and Grand Magus, along with Yngwie Malmsteen's early albums, Burning Point, etc.