Paradise Lost
Paradise Lost

THE REVIEW

Once, I read the description of Paradise Lost in an old metal encyclopedia. The text said: "One of the heaviest bands on earth, their cold and leaden death metal makes bands like Candlemass appear essentially harmless". At the time, PL was a young band and the term "death/doom" hadn't yet been replaced by the still rarely used "gothic metal", of which this band would probably become the major exponent (mind you: I'm talking about pure gothic, not the stuff circulating today with orchestras, sopranos, and fantasy atmospheres). But let's talk about the album. For a long time, there had been rumors of a hypothetical return to the origins, and Nick Holmes and company helped to "spread the rumors".

Of course, it was only partially true; in fact, the work I have in front of me has little to do with death/doom, and perhaps, not even with metal.
Don't be fooled by the superficial cover of death-doom-heavy metal-with-leaden-and-depressing-atmospheres-that-push-to-suicide, this is a rock album. Decadent Gothic Rock would be the right definition, but I don't think it exists, so I refrain from using it.
Its peculiarity lies in the fact that, though not very different from those circulating on Mtv, the songs are extremely catchy. In fact, there are minimal experiments and electronic elements, with ample use of powerful rock guitars, sustained by keyboards that "create atmosphere".

Holmes is particularly inspired and, having completely abandoned the growl, offers us a nice warm voice, sometimes even slightly husky, capable of interpreting the songs at their best. The same goes for Mackintosh, who creates simple but never banal solos. The drumming is also noteworthy, as Jeff Singer constructs rhythms that are never boring, neither due to staticity nor excessive technique.
No song stands out aggressively over the others, but the best moments can be found in Don't Belong, Grey, the single Forever After, Close your eyes, and the heaviest of the lot All you leave behind.

In conclusion, this album might not change your life, but you could consider it a kind of "break" among many metal listens. At least that's what I thought.