It is unclear why we never fully embraced Paradise Lost. We love Metal. We love Goth. We’re the hugest Type O Negative fans! Hell, we’ve also dug vocalist Nick Holmes’ outings with Bloodbath and guest spots with Rotting Christ! In another life we even had the opportunity to interview Holmes having still been only slightly familiar with the PL world (Old PopBlerd piece via PopDose here)! And that brings us today, having barely done our homework again, but loving the hell out of new record Ascension.
Thirty Five years into their career and readying their 17th full-length, Paradise Lost sound as vibrant and as vital as ever on their latest release. Well, as vibrant as a feeling as the legendary Doom mongers could muster at least. The minute “Serpent On The Cross” starts it’s like being transported to some Gothic world of Tim Burton or Sam Raimi’s making (Think Army Of Darkness) that’s iconic sounding from its’ inception and the epitome of the term “dirge”. “Tyrants Serenade” is a song that fans of Type O Negative should really enjoy with Gregor Mackintosh’s squealing guitars leading the charge as Steve Edmondson and Guido Zima Montanarini’s respective bass and drums lay out a thunderous thumping to match the chugging riffage completed by Aaron Aedy bringing to mind The Drab Four’s “Black No. 1” or “Love You to Death” especially at times.
“Salvation” is like an updated funeral march but darker while “Silence Like The Grave” enters the picture soaked in synths and guitar screams as Holmes’ gruff vocal bravado gives airs of classic Metallica before reaching into the lower depths and bringing about a more sinister style. “Lay A Wreath Upon The World” is glorious with otherworldly vocals swirling around the haunting atmosphere in this Gothic masterclass, “Diluvium” is a slow riff monster with the dual Aedy and Mackintosh shreds accenting Holmes’ barks, and “Savage Days” practically glistens at its’ onset and then transforms into a primal Goth anthem.
Deeper within, “Sirens” begins surrounded by soaring guitar lines and a slow, steady percussive onslaught and then charges into a nifty mid-tempo Hard Rawk ripper. Speaking of rippin’, “Deceivers” does just that next offering a nicely rounded soon-to-be new Paradise Lost live favorite that leads into the piano-laden somber slow burn of “The Precipice” to finish off Paradise Lost’s latest.
Ascension arrives on September 19th through Nuclear Blast. Pre-orders are live now and can be found by heading here or to the stream below. For more from Paradise Lost, hit the information superhighway and make stops here, here and here for the socials.