PARADISE LOST: In Requiem

Choice Of The Month June 2007
Cover	Release	Style
	2007-05-21	gothic doom metal
	Label
	www.centurymedia.com
	Website
	www.paradiselost.co.uk
	Contact
	-
	Playing Time	Cat. N°
	45:38	CM 77637-2
	Review by / Translated by	Rating
	Vera	9/10
nederlands	Review
Every Paradise Lost fan who got to know the band as part of the Holy Doom Trinity of Yorkshire (Paradise Lost, My Dying Bride, Anathema) in the mid nineties, but later on got disappointed more than once when these guys came up with Depeche Mode as lightened model, should listen with an open view to ‘In Requiem’. The latest albums ‘Believe In Nothing’ and ‘Paradise Lost’ already marked a return to a heavier approach, but the band itself announces a new chapter with ‘In Requiem’. Nick Holmes says: “We wanted to make a heavier, darker album, without losing the feeling for melody that has become part of our music over the last ten years.” Rougher and less sophisticated, that’s how we like Paradise Lost best and that’s how they surpass themselves on ‘In Requiem’. The band succeeded in merging everything they tried out during their nineteen years of existence and render it in a marvellous blend through eleven new compositions on their eleventh studio album. This is no pep talk, this is true. You will notice it immediately during the atmospheric intro followed by mid-paced doom riffs and peerless guitar soloing in ‘Never For The Damned’. Solid rocking guitars and raucous vocals determinate the sound in ‘Ash & Debris’. The single ‘The Enemy’ – who was launched at the world in April as first taster – impresses by its echoing low-tuned guitars and magnificent solo. This album has a much more doom atmosphere, listen to the pent-up pressure that keeps you going in ‘Praise Lamented Shade’ for instance. Or the dripping piano notes, refreshing as first morning dew in springtime, that are woven through the melody-lines in the captivating ‘Requiem’. As catchy as ‘One Second’, yet more vehemently. As I said, more doom, once again in ‘Prelude To Descent’, which has as keen as mustard accelerations halfway. Gregor Macintosh could swallow the bait again on this album! Paradise Lost summarizes all its former experiences. The canalized respect for Sisters Of Mercy as well, in the sung with dark gothic voice ‘Beneath Black Skies’. The compelling ‘Sedative God’ at last, is just a herald of the melancholy-drenched ‘Your Own Reality’ that will have every Paradise Lost fan sinking back in their relaxed seats of solace after this meritorious revenge. Everything we have been missing for so long is re-incarnated and that’s why this album deserves to be chosen as album of the month!
Musicians
Nick Holmes: vocals Gregor Mackintosh: lead guitar Aaron Aedy: rhythm guitar Steve Edmondson: bass Jeff Singer: drums
Tracklist
Never For The Damned (5:02) Ash & Debris (4:16) The Enemy (3:39) Praise Lamented Shade (4:02) Requiem (4:25) Unreachable (3:38) Prelude To Descent (4:11) Fallen Children (3:38) Beneath Black Skies (4:12) Sedative God (3:59) Your Own Reality (4:02)
Discography


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