Release
Date: November 5, 2013
Reviewed
by: Dash: Broken Neck Radio
Dash
here! My pleasure once again to bring
you the best in new metal releases!
Paradise
Lost is far from new to the metal scene.
From the epic darkness of their 1990 debut Lost Paradise, 1991’s polarizing
Gothic, 1995’s Draconian Times, 1997’s frenetic One Second, 2007’s return to metal
In Requiem, to last year’s landmark Tragic Idol—PARADISE LOST has continued to
evolve since their formation in 1988, and they’ve influenced many artists along
the way. To celebrate their contributions to the scene, this special
compilation was released to commemorate the band’s 25th anniversary of shredding.
All
of the tracks on the album have been previously released, with the exception of
“Loneliness Remains,” and newly recorded “Gothic
2013” and “Our Savior 2013.”
Paradise
Lost is certainly a most influential band.
Hailing from England, they are considered by some to be the pioneers of
“Doom” and “Goth” metal.
In
my years of metal headedness, I’ve never really listened to Paradise Lost, so I
was, needless to say, quite excited when I got the assignment. It’s great that this is a compilation album,
so I was able to experience the magic all at once.
How
would I describe Paradise Lost? I’d say
that they are quite eclectic. From the
opening riffs of the oh so dark and gloomy “Loneliness Remains”, this song is a
deep dirge, certainly with some gothic overtones, and reminded me of early
Type-O-Negative.
We
then go to a ballad-y “Never Take Me Alive”, a Spear of Destiny cover
song? Very interesting. They also cover “Missing” by Everything but the Girl. If you
remember that song, it’s a digital sounding pop-song. I always find it fascinating when metal bands
cover songs from other genres, but I wished that Paradise Lost had
deconstructed this song further and done something really heavy and dark with
it, instead, it’s just as electronic as the original, but with a few guitar
riffs thrown in.
“Last
Regret (Lost in Prague Orchestra mix)” is a magnum opus of a song—all raspy
vocals and epic violins.
Then
we get to the two new tracks which are “Gothic 2013” and “Our Savior
2013”. “Gothic 2013” has an amazing
melody, the vocals are outstanding, to me, and the female voice in the chorus
was a bit out of place. Overall the song
is creative and I quite enjoyed it.
The
best song of this well-deserved compilation and recognition of Paradise Lost 25
year career in metal is hands down “Our Savior 2013”. This is a straightforward, growling and
brutal metal song. Questioning the
existence of God and doing a great job of convincing us with the hellfire
guitar riffs and evil vocals.
Tragic
Illusion 25 (The Rarities) is quite a unique album that runs the gamut when it
comes to styles and genres. You go from
metal, to opera, to electronica, and everything in between. I can’t think of a better way to have charted
this most respected and influential band.
Dash
out and thank you very much as always for reading. \m/
