As one of the most constantly evolving acts on the metal landscape, it’s easy to forget that Paradise Lost began their career as one of the underpinning bands of the Northern English Doom scene. While their counterparts have in many cases remained true to the sound, or deviated into more modern incarnations, not even Nick Holmes’ distinctive vocal chords lend a nod to the fact that Paradise Lost 2005 are the same band responsible for 1990’s seminal release ‘Lost Paradise’. After flirtations with electronica and various commercialisms, Paradise Lost have settled into playing a hybrid of gothic tinged, sample laden heavy rock with 2002’s ‘Symbol of Life’ showing that they may well have finally found their feet.
Thankfully, the band clearly haven’t forgotten their misery filled roots as the British audience have so far been denied the chance to purchase this self titled release. Released in Germany through GUN/BMG, the official explanation is that Paradise Lost are yet to ink a deal for the record in their homeland. Whether this is the truth or simply a bitter middle finger to the British fanbase is something for the listener to decide.
“The heaviest record we’ve ever done” seemed to be the most frequent description of this record emitted by Holmes’ in the run up to its release. A slightly bizarre statement considering the easy going, highly polished nature of the tracks presented. While there’s certainly no manic ‘Shades of God’ riffery here, Greg Mackintosh’s soaring leads ride high throughout the album. Much to the delight of any older fans, the solo’s are back!
With tracks such as ‘Redshift’ coming close to Linkin Park, sans hip hop influences, it’s tempting to consider that the band may have chosen to tread the dangerous line of keeping older fans happy while attempting to break new markets. As is evident on ‘Accept the Pain, ‘Paradise Lost’ has been created by taking the blueprint of ‘Symbol of Life’, mixing in a lashing of ‘Draconian Times’ guitar work, then adding a pinch of ‘One Second’ electro-rock. A bubbling cauldron which, in theory, should have produced the finest Paradise Lost album to date.
It’s hard to be enthusiastic about this record on the first couple of listens. The tracklisting appears somewhat unremarkable, and while the mix of sounds works and should have produced some of the best songs of Paradise Lost’s career, unfortunately the album lacks any of the catchy hooks evident on previous releases. ‘Paradise Lost’ is an album which washes over the listener in a pleasing, laid back fashion although ultimately it’s hard to hum along to any of the tracks afterwards. Only the single ‘Forever After’ presents any sing-along qualities.
‘Paradise Lost’ isn’t quite deserving of a bad review, there are no genuinely poor tracks here, however so little stands out that this album falls into the ‘bland yet listenable’ category. Older fans will appreciate many of the elements incorporated into the sound however this certainly isn’t the record many fans were hoping for.
Overall Score: 5 /10
