New album May 15. I was in the minority in not particularly liking the last album. Felt the side project elements were too prominent. Still, always good to have a new PL to look forward to.
Looking forward to this as always. Last one was ok, not amazing... but for sure they're gonna mix it up more again this time I'd say rather than pushing the doomier side again.
New single Fall From Grace
https://www.facebook.com/paradiselostofficial/videos/2831872523574208/
Good, not great.
Yeah its ok. Better than that god awful "Blood and Chaos" single off of the last album but not as good as the albums stronger tracks. In the press release they said the new single was the first written for the new album so it sounds the most like the last album, or something to that effect. Apparently the new album has more of an 80's goth rock vibe, they even go as far as to say one of the songs is a "guaranteed dancefloor-filler at any discerning goth nightclub", at least that means the single isn't a reflection of the sound of the album.
Holmes is a gas fucker. Much prefer the gothier stuff so hopefully that's pronounced on the album.
They've rarely picked good singles... this song is fine, nothing special...
New single released today. Heavily 80s tinged. Not as good as the previous track, which has grown on me quite a bit. At least it looks like there'll be a bit of variety on the album.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urugx_wSBy8
Preferred the 1st song. That one is a bit meh....
Last album was very weak I thought. Their album output has been patchy enough in the last few years. Will probably pick up the new one but not in a mad panic to do so either.
I like it. Bit more immediate than the last song. Sounds like it would have fit right in on the eponymous album from 2005.
Quote from: Wiseblood on April 24, 2020, 12:57:44 PM
Preferred the 1st song. That one is a bit meh....
Last album was very weak I thought. Their album output has been patchy enough in the last few years. Will probably pick up the new one but not in a mad panic to do so either.
Ya, I didn't like the last one either. And the albums prior to it, while nothing inherently bad about them I don't feel the urge to put em on all that often.
I used to love these lads but I find it impossible to get excited by anything they have put out in years. The last album that I put on and enjoyed was Believe In Nothing. That would probably go well in the controversial thread. My favourite of theirs is still Shades of God though, I love it start to finish. Or maybe Draconian Times that's up there as well. Some good stuff on Icon and One Second, too.
Love all their recent (& old) stuff, but granted Medusa was not their best.
Ghosts is, as they say, very goth. Its complete Sisters/Fields worship... I like it, but the drum performance seems overly busy to me on it but hey...
I also like the variety, something that Medusa lacked...
I have Draconian Times on here and I'm only as far as Shadowkings but fuck me the latter day output is chronically shit when the comparison is made. There is no way they are ever going to pull it out of the bag again and make an unreal album. The general consensus now seems to be "well it's not fully shit so thank whoever for that at least"
No.
Not good enough.
Quote from: astfgyl on April 30, 2020, 09:57:29 PM
I have Draconian Times on here and I'm only as far as Shadowkings but fuck me the latter day output is chronically shit when the comparison is made. There is no way they are ever going to pull it out of the bag again and make an unreal album. The general consensus now seems to be "well it's not fully shit so thank whoever for that at least"
No.
Not good enough.
As much as I don't want to agree with you and as much as my inner fifteen year old has been holding out hope for another jaw dropping, game changing album from Paradise Lost for the last twenty five years, I have to accept the facts.
Because their decline hasn't been as shockingly dramatic as say Sepultura or Metallica they get a pass but they've been phoning it in for decades now.
Everything from One Second onwards could be shorn down to a double album best of and it's all you'd need.
And you know what it would be a grand double at that, but that encompasses a lot of albums worth of stuff.
https://www.blabbermouth.net/cdreviews/obsidian-2/?fbclid=IwAR2CWMW4NME6Vd3zYcoclDhc4eX56bm2KvdyUW_X7r7YL-vSyT1kKwRB03U
Ive had it on a few times this past week and am enjoying it more than Medusa for sure. A few real standout tracks (as noted in the pretty accurate review to my mind). The opener especially is a surprise, but absolutely gorgeous.
Given this a few spins since it came out. I think it stands tall over Medusa. There's a bit of flab in the middle but its still well worth a listen. The goth influence is in a few tracks but I think they pull it off. Darker Thoughts and Ending Days were highlights for me!
There's definitely some flab in the middle (dont we all have that?!) - the first 5 songs and the last few are great. Maybe the flab will grow on me! :)
Spinning it quite regularly, very enjoyable album. I like the variation this time.
Lads, Medusa is shite so comparing this to that isn't selling it very hard. "It's better than Medusa" is basically saying "It's HIV, but sure at least it isn't full blown"
Some will no doubt disagree, but I think this band reached its creative peak in 1995 with Draconian Times. There have been decent songs since then, but none as great as the songs on Icon and Draconian times.
Quote from: Cailleach on May 21, 2020, 08:17:04 PM
Some will no doubt disagree, but I think this band reached its creative peak in 1995 with Draconian Times. There have been decent songs since then, but none as great as the songs on Icon and Draconian times.
No one will disagree
Thing is, those early albums were so damn good, part of people's DNA now of a certain age bracket, I guess personally I will always buy a new Paradise Lost album in the knowledge it will never fall below a certain standard even if that standard has long ago gotten incredibly formulaic.
As expected, the new one is decent, no more no less and way less interesting than the new My Dying Bride
I stuck it on a having a few beers last night - it didn't really grab me all that much to be honest but, to be fair, I was a bit spaced out after work.
I'm not familiar with Paradise Lost's complete back catalogue except "Icon", "Draconian Times" and "Medusa" (which I thought was a decent album).
Shades of God is not only my favourite PL but a top ten of all time for me ,very much of a time and place .
Quote from: Thorn on May 22, 2020, 05:25:52 PM
Shades of God is not only my favourite PL but a top ten of all time for me ,very much of a time and place .
Shades of God is fucking class. Every tune on it is brilliant. I nearly wore out the tape as a young fella. I think I slightly prefer it to Draconian Times while understanding that DT is a much more accomplished effort in a lot of ways
Quote from: Lost-Paradise on March 20, 2020, 04:07:57 PM
Yeah its ok. Better than that god awful "Blood and Chaos" single off of the last album but not as good as the albums stronger tracks. In the press release they said the new single was the first written for the new album so it sounds the most like the last album, or something to that effect. Apparently the new album has more of an 80's goth rock vibe, they even go as far as to say one of the songs is a "guaranteed dancefloor-filler at any discerning goth nightclub", at least that means the single isn't a reflection of the sound of the album.
it was great for the 80s to get a second run, but we kinda need something really fresh like their 90s electronica, something 'new'...the 90s were a difficult decade for metal but the forced experimentation was actually pretty healthy, looking back.
Interview with Nick on the RTE website at the moment
I actually wish they kept going down the electronica path. Symbol of life was the last album I really liked by them. The self titled has got good stuff too but when they decided to go back to the heavier stuff it's just not been that good.
I just find it very predictable and boring.
Quote from: Thorn on May 25, 2020, 12:10:55 AM
Interview with Nick on the RTE website at the moment
Yep - https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2020/0522/1139954-paradise-lost-back-in-black-and-shining-with-obsidian/
Quote from: blessed1 on May 25, 2020, 12:25:34 AM
I actually wish they kept going down the electronica path. Symbol of life was the last album I really liked by them. The self titled has got good stuff too but when they decided to go back to the heavier stuff it's just not been that good.
I just find it very predictable and boring.
That's pretty much how I feel about their return to heavy stuff as well. It seems a bit contrived.
Funny thing is, I have so much good will towards them built up over the years that I still want to like every album they put out but am invariably left flat by each new one
the artwork is good for the new album
Have only listened to it twice. Coupla very good tracks right of the bat. Hoping there's a few growers in there.
Quote from: Thorn on May 22, 2020, 05:25:52 PM
Shades of God is not only my favourite PL but a top ten of all time for me ,very much of a time and place .
I had "Pity the Sadness" on some excellent magazine sampler CD (someone on the old forum sussed out what they came from, can't remember what it was) that my brother in law threw my way when I was first getting into music, what an introduction to them that was.
I listened to 'Shades of God' today. Such a brilliant album. It's the one I got into as a nipper so it's the one I know best. I liked some of 'Icon' and 'Draconian Times' back in them old 90s as well but I felt they were less consistent. I really liked the vocals on 'Shades...', not fully death growls but not entirely clean either. Not a million miles away from Graveyard Dirt but more dynamic.
The vocals on Shades of God are outstanding. Really sounds like he is putting his bollix into it. Love when he draws out the oul big roar every now and again for when the tunes kick back in after softer or slower sections. I think Crying for Eternity might be my favourite on it. Another album with those sort of full bollix vocals is Entombed's Wolverine Blues, although the two lads sound very different.
Shades is perfect. Overlooked maybe in many respects. A transitional album in many ways, with awesome vocals. I completely wore it out.
New one is worth the effort. Stay the course.
I'll give it a go this evening when the cans start flowing and see how I get on. Have at least 3 albums I intend to listen to tonight but that's a great complaint. Hopefully there is some merit in it
Shades is heavy on filler IMO, could never take to it bar a few songs. Could say the same about Icon, looking back. My then girlfriend was fanatical about it and I'd die happy if I never heard it again, but it has some great tunes. Not a fan of either album's production, though. I can't put my finger on why that is, but they both sound 'off' to me (did Efemey do both?). Draconian Times sound immense though, whatever you think of the material. That and Gothic are the go-to PL albums for me.
I have no issue with anything from DT and I still think it's great all the way through but I'm slightly pained that you think Shades of God has any filler on it
I've always struggled to get all the way through it, I find most of it just... turgid. Some great moments alright, but I feel no need to ever listen to it again.
Quote from: Ducky on June 04, 2020, 06:14:07 PM
Quote from: Thorn on May 22, 2020, 05:25:52 PM
Shades of God is not only my favourite PL but a top ten of all time for me ,very much of a time and place .
I had "Pity the Sadness" on some excellent magazine sampler CD (someone on the old forum sussed out what they came from, can't remember what it was) that my brother in law threw my way when I was first getting into music, what an introduction to them that was.
RAW mag did a neat little cassette sampler for Shades of God alright, had it on recently, little snippets of commentary from the band. Definitely a cd though yeah?
And the award for the most utterly pointless release of the year goes to ................
"Icon, our fourth album was released in 1993 and for it's 30th anniversary, we're re-recording it and doing an extra special vinyl release.
That's all we can share for now, but watch this space for more information and a few special announcements very soon!"
I tried out Obsidian the other day in light of the announcement and I've really nothing to say about it, as mammy always says if I haven't anything good to say about an album it must be pointless. Haven't had Icon on in yonks either. Might try the redo on YouTube when it's out
I think Obsidian is their strongest album in a long time. It got lots of listens from me. Medusa was their low point.
A rerecording of Icon though seems utterly pointless.
First track from the rerecorded Icon is out, Widow:
https://youtu.be/hs2PuJTsMMI?si=0LlWeDRfI6yIFKlP
Sounds very flat to me, particularly the drums. Pointless.
Quote from: Carnage on October 06, 2023, 11:53:00 AMFirst track from the rerecorded Icon is out, Widow:
https://youtu.be/hs2PuJTsMMI?si=0LlWeDRfI6yIFKlP
Sounds very flat to me, particularly the drums. Pointless.
Going to put this on the monitors shortly out of curiosity. All I have seen this morning on it is "what's the point?" compared to those redone Sepultura albums lately everyone was loving.
I haven't checked those out yet but they could only be an improvement, the originals are dogshit. But in general I'd agree, rerecordings are pointless - the exception being Exodus and Let There Be Blood, the vocals on the original render it unlistenable for me.
Quote from: Carnage on October 06, 2023, 11:53:00 AMFirst track from the rerecorded Icon is out, Widow:
https://youtu.be/hs2PuJTsMMI?si=0LlWeDRfI6yIFKlP
Sounds very flat to me, particularly the drums. Pointless.
Quote from: Carnage on October 06, 2023, 11:53:00 AMFirst track from the rerecorded Icon is out, Widow:
https://youtu.be/hs2PuJTsMMI?si=0LlWeDRfI6yIFKlP
Sounds very flat to me, particularly the drums. Pointless.
I read earlier on today that apparently they don't own the rights to the music or artwork of the original. So for it's anniversary, they decided to re-record it. I've not listened to that track yet but curious to hear the album redone
Yeah, MFN still have the rights, or whoever bought them out at least. They had no interest in marking the anniversary so this is what we're left with.
Icon is an Iconic album for me and I can't believe they are trying to cash it in.
I can't even listen to this idea!
why? why do it? I am distraught! shocked, pretty much outraged!
No I won't listen to this.
I think it was a copyright issue. They wanted to reissue it for its 30th anniversary but MFN refused to, so they rerecorded it to get around the copyright.
I'm fine with this personally
I think Widow sounds decent. When I heard they were doing this re-recording, I thought it was going to be a little more "modern" sounding, but it's not really.
Although personally I would have been interested to hear a modern sounding take on the album... The original is always there to listen to, so no need to listen to a version that is trying to mimic it. It's essentially like doing a cover version of your own music..
Anyway, I'll still get my copy as I'm curious as to how it will all sound.
I think it sad that the band and MFN let it reach this point.
Its like Appetite for destruction on iTunes and Hysteria...... Def Leppard did a lot of re-recording.
It just pains me.
Icon is 2FM metal show, next day on the way to school Monday morning, side tracked because of Embers fire..... stunned.... amazed... rocked.... way late for school. What an album.
KISS did re-recordings KISS Klassics..... its epic....
Quote from: Don Gately on October 07, 2023, 09:10:46 AMI'm fine with this personally
Yep, sounds fine to me. I'll stick with my original copy, but I get why they did it.
Just listened to Widow there and the drums do sound a bit odd but I like it tbh. Sounds crisper than the original. Definitely will listen to the full thing
I'm actually starting to like the vocal a little more on this new version after a few listens.
Just listened to the re-recording of embers fire. I quite like it. I like the lower vocal sound he has now.
Listeming to that now, the vocals sound more or less the same to me. Same problem with this as with Widow, the drums sound... wrong. Like an electric or practice kit, the snare's terrible. Flat or something. Plus yer man is doing a Lars on it, needless and out of place fills everywhere, just distracts from the actual song.
Anyway, that's enough of that, I'l stick with the original.
Listened to Embers, get why they did it but completely pointless for anyone that grew up with the original.
Anyone that thinks this is an improvement or is under the illusion that it possesses any meaningful lasting listening value needs a head examination.
True Belief released today:
https://youtu.be/xtBfLJdikV4?si=NHHj3R7do0_Sbbl9
This definitely won't be bothered with, it all sounds so flat and lifeless compared to the original. I get that they wanted to mark the anniversary and all that, but a live version would have been a better idea IMO. It worked well enough for Draconian Times.
Utterly pointless. The version of Widow was OK but these last 2 are just not as good by a long way.
Quote from: Carnage on November 03, 2023, 05:00:15 PMListeming to that now, the vocals sound more or less the same to me. Same problem with this as with Widow, the drums sound... wrong. Like an electric or practice kit, the snare's terrible. Flat or something. Plus yer man is doing a Lars on it, needless and out of place fills everywhere, just distracts from the actual song.
Anyway, that's enough of that, I'l stick with the original.
The drummer was very good live to be fair to him. Haven't listened to anything other than the first one out from this yet so can't judge him on the redo
I had no expectations, I said (wrote) I wouldn't but I listened to Embers Fire. Man, wow, not good..... drumming just, nah, no way.
Stop lads!
This is terrible!
OK here's something that might have been missed
You can't get a new drummer that can actually play and then expect the cunt to play like Tuds
Edit: the drums do sound odd in the mix but the playing can't be Tuds
Astfgyl I get you, but I dunno, sounds out of time to me or something.
The quality just ain't there, the songs are strangled. Sounds like some hack mixing job. Its just a pity (the sadness :abbath: ).
The original is sonically brilliant this is not!
Disappointing.
Quote from: astfgyl on November 30, 2023, 12:35:36 AMOK here's something that might have been missed
You can't get a new drummer that can actually play and then expect the cunt to play like Tuds
Edit: the drums do sound odd in the mix but the playing can't be Tuds
I remember someone on the old forum commenting that Tuds Archers phone even rang out of time... he was undoubtedly the weak link back in the day. Despite loving Shades Of God, he's woeful on it.
Quote from: KingHostile on November 30, 2023, 03:02:15 PMAstfgyl I get you, but I dunno, sounds out of time to me or something.
The quality just ain't there, the songs are strangled. Sounds like some hack mixing job. Its just a pity (the sadness :abbath: ).
The original is sonically brilliant this is not!
Disappointing.
I only had it on the phone speakers and it sounded weirdly compressed on the drums or something. They're also really loud compared to everything else. I don't think the album needed redoing at all but seeing the reason for it I get why they did. I'll have to give it a go on speakers and see how bad it is
Quote from: Carnage on November 29, 2023, 06:31:14 PMTrue Belief released today:
https://youtu.be/xtBfLJdikV4?si=NHHj3R7do0_Sbbl9
This definitely won't be bothered with, it all sounds so flat and lifeless compared to the original. I get that they wanted to mark the anniversary and all that, but a live version would have been a better idea IMO. It worked well enough for Draconian Times.
The one thing positive thing I will say about True Belief is he fixed the out of key vocal in the first verse. That always bugged me in the original.
Apart from that, it's missing the vibe of the original unfortunately.
Just going to put this here, new Paradise Lost single. Didn't think it was good enough to deserve a new thread (actually think it pretty poor).
Yeah it's poor. The new Amorphis single is even worse!
They've been coasting for years. What makes this more disappointing is the pandemic bought them a bit of time, would've thought they'd at least have a stab at something interesting.
It really is a dreadful track, even the album title is uninspiring.
Another Host album would be welcome. That new PL song is dull.
At least Greg's not looking daft with the hair dye nowadays.
It's a total nothing of a song.
I like that intro, then it plods along.
This new album must be a rehash of Icon and Draconian Times.
How many times have they written that same song now ffs
Ya, pretty dull apart from the intro.
I was impressed with Obsidian when it came out. Maybe one or 2 songs on it could have been dropped. This new one feels very much by the numbers. Hopefully the rest of the album is better.
I don't dislike it, but I think if I had heard it 30yrs ago I probably would have thought it was the best thing ever
Obsidian is as poor as any of the other latter day records. No better no worse.
PL are as exciting as Katatonia these days.
Quote from: Pagan Saviour on June 07, 2025, 06:14:38 PMObsidian is as poor as any of the other latter day records. No better no worse.
PL are as exciting as Katatonia these days.
That's exactly it. Same oul shite on repeat with them
Jesus this is woeful, sounds like it was written for a euro metal crowd. Thought the intro had promise but when the heavy metal riff kicks in - good lord.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIzpfIEsLwU&list=RDBIzpfIEsLwU&start_radio=1
Must be taking the piss with this bit
https://youtu.be/BIzpfIEsLwU?list=RDBIzpfIEsLwU&t=166
Must be taking the piss with this bit
https://youtu.be/BIzpfIEsLwU?list=RDBIzpfIEsLwU&t=166
[/quote]
I thought it sounded like a bit of a nod to Shades Of God.
I think it sounds pretty good, to be honest. It's a bit predictable from them at this stage, but it's just PL doing PL. I really don't get the level of hate being thrown at the songs.
Same here, I'm liking it. The vid is just an irrelevancy.
Quotebut it's just PL doing PL
That's the problem. That sentence wouldn't apply to the first half of their career
Quote from: Pagan Saviour on July 13, 2025, 08:16:18 AMQuotebut it's just PL doing PL
That's the problem. That sentence wouldn't apply to the first half of their career
Pretty stupid thing to say, really!
Any band starting out and building a style/sound for themselves is obviously going to sound somewhat individual.
But stay in the game long enough, like PL, and almost every band settles into a signature sound.
I would be more interested in a new Host record.
I've tried a few times with Host. And the last Host album from a few years ago.
Does absolutely nothing for me.
QuotePretty stupid thing to say, really!
I disagree.
QuoteAny band starting out and building a style/sound for themselves is obviously going to sound somewhat individual.
But stay in the game long enough, like PL, and almost every band settles into a signature sound
That applies to most bands. Not PL though, starting out with the self titled, look at the journey to Host - there was no settling. Most bands do not have that amount of variance album to album. I don't expect that sort of drastic change from them now, but it is extra disappointing in PLs case to see them stagnate stylistically.
Ascension out today. Not going to pick it up but streaming it here, going to be a chore to make it to the end. Same old same old.
The only surprise is how cheesey some of it is. Keeps veering between bog standard PL and cringey metal.
Alan Averill appears on Salvation - which sounds a bit jarring. Whole thing just sounds phoned in, especially Nick's vocals.
On first listen there's a few decent enough songs. Nick's vocals are a bit phoned in tbf. Some nice clean singing in parts. Will see how it goes after a couple more listens.
I think this is decent , will give it a few more spins for sure
Quote from: Pagan Saviour on September 19, 2025, 11:22:49 AMAlan Averill appears on Salvation
Of course he does, with that title. If anyone has a song called Redemption, he's available for that too.
:laugh:
Quote from: Pentagrimes on September 25, 2025, 07:43:46 PMQuote from: Pagan Saviour on September 19, 2025, 11:22:49 AMAlan Averill appears on Salvation
Of course he does, with that title. If anyone has a song called Redemption, he's available for that too.
The Wailers will be on touch no doubt! :laugh:
Quote from: Pentagrimes on September 25, 2025, 07:43:46 PMQuote from: Pagan Saviour on September 19, 2025, 11:22:49 AMAlan Averill appears on Salvation
Of course he does, with that title. If anyone has a song called Redemption, he's available for that too.
Gallows Humour!
A few listens in and im really liking it anyway...but then ive always been a huge PL fan. Recent albums for me have a few standout tracks and then others that are so-so. This one sounds a bit more consistent to my ears. Some great Icon vibes on it.
QuoteSome great Icon vibes on it
:laugh:
Ordered the cd today. I keep getting distracted whenever I put it on Spotify but I'm hoping a CD on the work drive will remedy that. Thus far though, I can't help but feel auld Nick is doing an impression of Nick of old. I can just picture him having a laugh between takes.
New albums not bad,some decent tracks on it.
Die anyone know the Paradise Lost track that has a video with Mick Holmes waking though a wasteland/battle ground?
He was just starting to bring the growls back I think.
He had short but long hair like yerman from Nickelback.
Jesus was it Blood and Chaos? Easily their worst track
I don't think it was that one. The video was either black and white or had a sepia filter on it.
Maybe I'm thinking of a different band.
No,it was definitely PL alright but I can't remember the track.
Edit: Honesty in Death
Irish leg of the tour announced
Belfast 20/3/26
Dublin 21/3/26
Limerick 22/3/26
Ah good stuff. On a Saturday night and all.
Deadly.
Nice
Deadly! I'll try to do Limerick and Dublin.
Finally got to give this a few proper listens. It's not bad overall. Maybe a step below Obsidian, which I really liked, and definitely better than Medusa, which I thought was their worst release.