Although
I like to think myself a faithful fan of Paradise Lost since the
release of 1990’s “Lost Paradise”, even I couldn’t help being
a bit disappointed with the two last efforts from the former doom
metallers. Up until “Host”, each and every Paradise Lost album had
been a new high for yours truly, but said album, “Believe In Nothing”
and “Symbol Of Life” just didn’t cut it. Now,
high were my expectations for this new album as I’ve been reading in
the metal press that PL had again found the guitars and down-tuned the
Depeche Mode influences (not a bad word about Depeche Mode, but we
already have one of those, we don’t need more of them). And
indeed, there is some truth to the rumours. The chunky riffs have
found their way into Paradise Lost’s music again, and even though
synths and melody still are given suitable space in the soundscape,
the guitars are allowed to dominate in a way they haven’t done since
“One Second”. I’d say that with songs like “Sun Fading”,
“Laws Of Cause” and “Spirit” there are tiny but notable
reminiscences of “Icon”, "Draconian Times”, and even of
“Shades Of God” on the tune “Over The Madness”, a return I
hadn’t expected from the lads. In fact, barring the first two doomy
efforts, this album covers most of the sounds of the career of
Paradise Lost, and for that alone it should be treasured. Paradise
Lost always purported that “fook you, we do what we want”
attitude, and with this album you finally sense that they are also
entirely comfortable with what they do. “Paradise Lost” is a
varied mix of beats and sounds and brings together all the experiments
of the past decade or so, plus the decidedly modern riffing of e.g.
“Close Your Eyes”, allowing a following in both the metal camp and
the more mainstream (whatever that means these days?) radio listening
crowds. Recommended:
“Don’t Belong”, “Close Your Eyes”, “All You Leave Behind”,
“Spirit” and “Getting Over The Madness” |
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| Link: www.paradiselost.co.uk | ||||||
