Author: Rok Klemše
Artist: Paradise Lost
Label: Century Media
Release: 2007
Much has been said about Paradise Lost’s many sound changes, their endless experimenting out of fear of stagnation, and their “betrayal” of their metal fans. Very few bands have a history this colorful. Paradise Lost, who borrowed their name from John Milton’s epic poem, are considered forefathers of doom/death metal alongside their fellow countrymen Anathema and My Dying Bride, and even one of the very first gothic metal bands. With their first three records (Lost Paradise-1990, Gothic-1991 and Shades of God-1992), Paradise Lost rocketed to the very top of the genre. On the fourth record, Icon (1993), vocalist Nick Holmes dropped the guttural death metal vocals and switched to clean singing, which at times even sounded like James Hetfield. With One Second (1997), though, the guys turned their backs on the fans of the band’s metal releases, wading into the waters of Depeche Mode-style pop electronics with their experimenting. One Second isn’t a bad record, but it’s true that this isn’t the real Paradise Lost, though it did win them a wider circle of fans. What followed was a decade of fumbling around in the dark, and now, finally, the band’s true requiem is here. With In Requiem, Paradise Lost are heading back down the old paths, but keeping the sound of their own that they’ve developed over a long career.
In Requiem drops the pop structures of the previous record and is decidedly more metal. With the new record, Paradise Lost return to the days of Icon and Draconian Times, while keeping the subtlety of their later albums. In Requiem is a modern gothic metal classic that doesn’t bring anything earth-shattering and new, but redefines and refreshes the band’s sound. The record is the band’s heaviest release since the excellent Icon. Nick Holmes occasionally even uses a rougher, almost growl-like voice, but don’t expect the brutal vocals of the early releases. On their 11th record, the band comes close to Draconian Times in atmosphere, and the punchy, energetic Paradise are finally back! Every typical element of the band that we’ve missed so much is here again: melancholy, great solo guitars, at times even Bay Area thrash riffs, and double bass drums! A record packed with melodies, crushing riffs and a sorrowful, melancholic atmosphere will pin you to your chair!
The first half of the record is, simply put, unbelievable. The brilliant opener Never For the Damned immediately announces that the good old Paradise Lost are back. Never for the Damned kicks off with a big bang and dark riffs that could easily have fit on Icon. Holmes’s vocals are aggressive and powerful. Next up is Ash & Debris, which starts with keyboards in the style of Embers Fire and slowly grows into an excellent chorus. With The Enemy, it’s instantly obvious why it was picked as the single, thanks to its incredibly catchy vocal line. Praise Lamented Shade is without a doubt one of the best tracks on the record, a real doom metal anthem, but not so desperately weepy that you’d want to slit your wrists to it. The mighty, heavy and punchy Requiem shows off the skills of new drummer Jeff Singer and the excellent “licks” of guitarist Mackintosh. Luckily, the return to a heavier sound leaves no room for excessive use of cheesy samples and keyboards. The second half of the record doesn’t quite match the quality of the first, but these are still good tracks, especially the melancholic Prelude to Descent, which picks up the record’s pace a bit with mighty power chords. Thanks to its fantastic chorus, Fallen Children will probably be the record’s next single, and on Beneath Black Skies we can once again welcome Holmes’s doom baritone, which only proves what a versatile vocalist he is.
In Requiem may not really be the band’s best record, but it’s a modern Paradise Lost masterpiece. A return to the days of Icon or Shades of God probably isn’t in the cards, but In Requiem draws strong influences from the band’s beginnings. In Requiem is quite a few notches above the previous releases, and with its mightier, punchier sound and darker atmosphere, it will surely win over many of the band’s old fans. It won me over.
Lineup
Nick Holmes – vocals
Gregor Mackintosh – lead guitar, keyboards
Aaron Aedy – rhythm guitar
Stephen Edmondson – bass guitar
Jeff Singer – drums
Production
Rhys Fulber
Track List
1. Never For the Damned 05:02
2. Ash & Debris 04:16
3. The Enemy 03:39
4. Praise Lamented Shade 04:02
5. Requiem 04:25
6. Unreachable 03:38
7. Prelude to Descent 04:11
8. Fallen Children 03:38
9. Beneath Black Skies 04:12
10. Sedative God 03:59
11. Your Own Reality 04:02
