Paradise Lost
Obsidian

Months of forced writing absence on Debaser... too many...

I try to get back on track; I need certainties in this damned period.

And so the new album by Paradise Lost offers me its cerulean support.

Obsidian is a work that I immediately appreciated, from the first listens last May.

It doesn't disappoint expectations; they play it safe and put together a series of songs that represent the sum of a career that saw the dark light back in 1988.

They are still the same four: Nick on vocals, Greg and Aaron on guitars, and Steve on bass. They know each other perfectly, since when, as strapping young lads, they came together at the end of the eighties. Everyone has their precise role in writing the pieces; a few weeks of recording, and the job is done.

A couple of lead singles to announce the important return to the music scene; one of the most longed-for by yours truly in this crazy 2020.

We are not at the frightening levels of the previous Medusa (2017) and especially The Plague Within (2015); but Obsidian is still an excellent work.

A light keyboard intro... that's how the album opens.

Nick's voice is clean, gentle, soft. Then the first track detonates, explodes, and the Gothic-Doom slashes start, which are a recognized and indelible trademark of the Paradise Lost.

The voice becomes wild, feral, incredibly heavy growl. The instruments rumble as they should. This is "Darker Thoughts," which is a continuous alternation of clean and heavy sounds for almost six minutes.

The following "Fall From Grace" is the logical continuation; they give everything and the best in the first tracks as it should be. More Doom, more widespread, grating, tentacular, oppressive heaviness. Black and white, like the alternation of Nick's voice now clean, immediately after offensive and dramatic. Class to spare; primordial force put into action.

The dynamic and dark "Ghosts," which due to execution speed, brings them closer to the best Tiamat.

The spectral "The Devil Embraced" is my favorite song on the album. Gravity, spasmodic slowness; overwhelming, suffocating darkness. A masterpiece comparable to the best works of the nineties.

Enough... I won't write any more... there are still seven tracks... all worthy... all harmful but vital for me... ENDING DAYS...

Diabolos Rising 666.