Paradise Lost: "Faith Divides Us... Death Unites Us" Review

Discussion
1

Pretty much a direct copy/paste from the 'Space…

Let me start this out by saying that while nothing can touch the holy trinity that is “Gothic,” “Shades of God,” and “Icon,” the masters of English doom metal knocked my socks off with their epynonymous release in '05, combining the best aspects of their doom/death aesthetic with the programming know-how of the Rhys Fulber and their flirtation with faggy Goth techno.

Ever since then, though, PL has slowly made a move back to their metal roots, a move that I’m all kinds of crazy about. Their last LP, “In Requiem,” featured their heaviest cut in years, the absolutely flooring “Requiem,” demonstrating that Nick Holmes still knows how to growl with the best of them.

This new album, though, came out of fucking nowhere, and I’m REALLY glad it did. Rhys is absent this time around, replaced with the guy behind Opeth, Amon Amarth, and Katatonia, and it SHOWS. This is nothing but ten cuts of beautiful, soul-crushing doom with a few hints of progressive metal and orchestral stylings woven in between.

Thus far, it still has this affliction that I call the “Paradise Lost Syndrome.” That is, that none of the tracks REALLY jump out at me at the mo, and probably won’t for another six listens. But I hardly see that as a bad thing. If anything, it just shows that Nick, Gregor, and co. know how to make a fucking ALBUM.

For now… 4/5. One of the best records of the year.

2

I only have their first album and it kicks massive amounts of ass. Love the guitar work. I’ve steered clear of the rest of them though since I heard they changed styles and went a different route. Interesting.

3

I’ve been looking for this over the last couple of weeks. I’ve heard great things about it. I just need to locate it.

I really didn’t mind some of their experimentation of the last 10 years, but then again, I also loved Draconian and the previous LPs.

Glad to hear this is worth looking into.

4

I can’t stand Nick Holmes’ lackluster attempts at growling on the recent albums. Lets not forget that he is one of the most influential people around when it comes to vocals like these, so hearing him really force himself and not achieve even half the power he used to have is really pathetic. I’d much prefer for him to stick to his more modern singing style since he has a pretty decent voice.

Also, “Host” is awesome. Obviously, it is completely different than say, “Shades Of God” (which happens to be my favorite album of theirs) but it is still great. Elegant, calm, depressive as fuck music goes a long way in my book.

5

I would agree 100%. Host doesn’t get the credit for being as brilliant as it is.

It seems to get discredited by their fan base and overlooked by outsiders who steer away from Paradise because of their roots.

I’d put it in the category of Filth Pig, being that it was a risk that paid off.

6

I only have their first album and it kicks massive amounts of ass. Love the guitar work. I’ve steered clear of the rest of them though since I heard they changed styles and went a different route. Interesting.

Nigga, get yourself a copy of “Gothic.” Soon.