Paradise Lost – “Paradise Lost”
Just by the fact that this band in the past has made two albums that I enjoy very much–1991’s “Gothic” and 1995’s “Draconian Times”, both excellent in their own way, I’m bound to be interested. There are 14 songs (54 minutes). I would say that the music from about the time of “Draconian” to “One Second” is here. The up-tempo, up-beat, heavier, somber songs, like “Let Me Drown,” “Spirit,” “Accept the Pain,” “Forever After,” “All You Leave Behind,” “Grey,” and “Close Your Eyes,” have a pretty immediate appeal. I don’t know that you have to like metal to like them, because they are relatively heavy, but not harsh on the ears at all. The music is pretty straight forward and catchy, the sound is great, nice and clean, lively. The guitars have a simplistic charm to them and the vocals of Nick Holmes sound full, in the mid-tone range with some upper mid-tone parts. Sometimes I think that Holmes has the voice that James Hetfield wishes for. The overall feeling is melancholic, good and up-tempo without sounding overly sweet (power metal) or cheesy (goth). I think I won’t be the only one who appreciates the idea of not using sweet melodies to make a song memorable. This has dark groove running throughout it. The slower songs have lots of grey charm about them, like opener “Don’t Belong” or “Shine.” On the other hand, “Over the Madness” is a pretty doomy affair. Paradise Lost, as a musical entity, still has much to offer. They cannot please all their fans because the music over the years has changed a lot. The growling, like on the debut, and “Gothic,” stopped a long time now, but if you don’t treat music like some sort of orthodox religion with absolute rules, then you will find the group making worthwhile music. Still heavy and somber, memorable and not overly complex, the guys have lots of good ideas on this album.