When Paradise Lost released the phenomenal ‘Draconian Times’ it seemed they could do no wrong. Hailed as ‘the British Metallica’ in many quarters for their ferociously streamlined assault they promptly went and diversified releasing the excellent yet now reviled ‘One second’ and ‘Host’. Typically certain elements of the metal media gave the albums excellent reviews and then spent the subsequent years berating the band for not being metal enough. The truth is that Paradise Lost are a band that have made consistently good albums and have never rested on their not inconsiderable laurels and here we find them at the top of their game with a pounding, dark, heavy metal album that looks set to bring them back to the top of the pile of imitators that they have spawned over the years.
Whatever fans and band alike may think of their electronic direction, Paradise Lost have been steadily heading in a heavier direction since ‘Believe in nothing’ and last album ‘In requiem’ was particularly good. The subsequent tour and anniversary celebrations seem to have sharpened the band still further and ‘Faith divides us, Death unites us’ is easily the strongest record they’ve recorded in many a year, simply oozing confidence and dramatic style. Opening with ‘As horizons end’ PL launch an instantly recognizable riff with shimmering lead floating over a rhythm section that has been honed to brutal perfection. The riffs are tight, the keyboards atmospheric but not overdone and Nick Holmes’ vocal is astonishingly forceful, recalling ‘Enchantment’ from ‘Draconian times’ and offering both power and melody. It’s an ambition opening offering changes of pace and mood over its five minutes. ‘I remain’ is a suitably grim and heavy follow up with a brutally regimented vocal that sits astride the deathly riffing and thunderous drums. All the familiar elements are here; vocal harmonies, soaring solos, drums that make the floor shake, but it’s all so much tighter than before, with a demonic sense of purpose that takes the breath away. ‘First light’ is stunning in its scope opening on the type of riff that only PL ever seem to have mastered, before opening out with a melodic vocal and colossal rhythm part.
‘Frailty’ utilises choral samples to create an air of gothic splendour which is complimented by the weighty guitar solo before the track plunges headlong into a double-bass-drum led frenzy that signals one of the heaviest tracks PL have ever recorded. Undoubtedly many of you will already have checked out the chilling video to the title track, and the song itself is a beautiful piece of dark art with a hook in the chorus that sits incessantly in the brain long after the song has finished. It is a standout track of the album and represents perfectly the band’s ability to combine memorable tunes, crushing metal and intelligent lyrics, seemingly at will. ‘The rise of denial’ returns to heavier pastures with a more stripped-down feel on the verse which only serves to emphasise (temporary drummer) Peter Damin’s monumental skills as well as a stunning harmonised guitar solo that is simply majestic. ‘Living with scars’ is a belting track, with a tightly riffed intro that recalls Pantera. It is a relentless statement of intent that is going to burn the mosh-pit to the ground in the live environment and causes the listener to draw breath at the level of brutality on display here.
‘Last regret’ is a mournful ballad (of sorts) that sits comfortably after the unvarnished aggression of ‘living with scars’ and offers the listener a chance to recover. Still boasting a heavy central riff, Nick opts for the more melodic singing style that was in evidence on the electronic albums rather than the gruff bark that permeates much of this album and his ability to carry a tune is shown in a great light when set against a single haunting piano in the second verse. ‘Universal dream’ hammers in like the proverbial ton of bricks before firing off in an almost thrash direction, with a fantastic performance from Nick who seems more than usually fired up on the album as a whole and here in particular. Final track ‘in truth’ arrives in a swathe of synth and twisted guitar solos before turning left-field and heading for Depeche Mode territory with Nick sounding more like Dave Gahan than he ever, intoning “I am a liar, I am a fake”. It’s a stunning closer, that offers an astonishing vocal coupled with brooding guitars and a doom riff that perfectly compliments the melody.
This is quintessential Paradise Lost. All the familiar elements are here, but rendered with a clarity (thanks to a spacious production job courtesy of Jens Bogren who has previously worked with Amon Amarth and Opeth) and sense of purpose that sets it out as an exceptional piece of work. Furthermore, by limiting themselves to ten tracks the band have avoided the pitfall of ‘filler’ tracks, with every song on display showcasing the full potential of the band. In ‘Faith divides us…’ Paradise Lost have created their finest work in many years, perhaps their definitive statement, and it seems certain that this is a band whose creative spark remains undiminished and who are well and truly deserving of the respect and reverence of their fans and of the metal community at large. This is a monumental album that should see Paradise Lost at the very top of a scene that they unwittingly spawned almost two decades ago. Remarkable.
Special edition notes
The album comes in three formats: Regular CD, 2 CD digi-pack and LP/7”/ CD. The 2 CD and LP packs both contain a bonus track (‘Cardinal zero’) and orchestral versions of ‘Faith divides us, death unites us’ and ‘last regret’ recorded with the City Of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra, recorded in 2008. The 2 CD set will be specially packaged in DVD-sized packaging while the vinyl will be housed in a limited edition gatefold sleeve and will contain an exclusive poster. While these were not available at the time of writing you can check out the video on this page for details of the orchestral sessions and you can bet that the special editions will be well-worth having as PL and Century media both have a reputation for producing excellent special editions that are truly created with the fans in mind.
‘Faith divides us, death unites us’ is out on Monday 28th September through Century Media.
