Paradise Lost
Tragic Idol
2012
Veteran Yorkshire goth/doom metal band 'Paradise Lost' have returned to glory with their fifteenth studio album, 'Tragic Idol'. Previous albums ‘Faith Divides Us, Death Unites Us’, ‘In Requiem’ and ‘Paradise Lost’ have seen the band return to their original heavy/doom metal routes. Although none of these albums have managed to repair the damage that the synth-pop/electronica era did to the bands original fan base (although the albums of this era were a success), their recent albums have grown in quality and have reach a pinnacle on this latest release. Song writing duties, as always, are all credited to vocalist Nick Holmes and lead guitarist Gregor Mackintosh. Here follows our breakdown of ‘Tragic Idol’.
Solitary One – An ominous start to the album. Slow paced with a chilling part over the chorus section which will sends shivers up the spine, this is one gloomy song. An interesting song but perhaps an odd choice for an album opener.
Crucify – The band turn it up a gear and give head bangers something to rejoice over. This song marks a return to the classic Paradise Lost of old and finally draws a line under the synth-pop/electronica era of the late 90’s.
Fear of Impending Hell – A really catchy song that contains all the elements you would expect from veteran song writers. The vocals in the chorus will have the listener wanting to sing along with all their heart. The whole song builds up perfectly into each section and is never over the top.
Honesty in Death- The lead single from the album and at first a little underwhelming. However, after a few listens this song really pulls you in. The solo is perfectly timed and again is just right for the song. The lead guitar in the outro is super catchy over the crushing rhythm section.
Theories from Another World – The contrast in speeds throughout the song adds real depth to the song. Overall if there was a filler track on this album then this would be it. It doesn’t grab the listener even after a few listens and the songs around it outshine it completely.
In This We Dwell – Another head bangers delight especially during the chugging riff that plays throughout the song. Nick Holmes’ vocals come through the speakers with a real kick, you can almost feel the venom in his vocals pulsing through your veins. This is one song guaranteed to have the listener cranking up the volume.
To The Darkness – Strangely the beginning guitar section reminded me of the opening to UFO’s ‘Doctor Doctor’ but this soon fades and moves quickly into a powerful chord progression. The lead guitar seems to indicate a more traditional metal sound and the song feels more upbeat. The middle section then brings it crashing down into the more familiar doom metal realms. The contrast works well within the songs own theme.
Tragic Idol – An excellent song all round and worthy of being the title track for the album. This is Paradise Lost at their song writing pinnacle. Holmes’ vocal style is mixed up throughout and the music moves from fast pace playing to slow chugging through to soaring guitar leads which Greg Mackintosh pulls off effortlessly and it all fits perfectly together where many other bands would struggle.
Worth Fighting For – My personal favourite song from the album. For me the album had built up and by this point songs have a lot to live up to to maintain the standard. There is lots of contrast in this song giving the listener lots to absorb, from the opening rolling drum section to the bowel churning bass sections and then the creepy guitar leads and the exemplary vocals, there is something for every listener in this song. A true triumph for the band.
The Glorious End – A slow build up into an epic ending, you can tell we have reached the end of the album. The title and the feel of this song do make this an album closer. Everything you want in an album closer is all here and the listener is left wanting more. The lead guitar work is excellent but you can feel all the components coming together to add to the full texture of the song.
Ending Through Changes – [Bonus Track] – An outstanding track considering it’s a bonus track, at first you may wonder why this never made it onto the album. The problem with this song is that it is another perfect album closer but ‘The Glorious End’ does the job better.
As with all 'Paradise Lost' albums the album takes a few listens before you can fully appreciate everything in the songs. There are few songs that will grab the listener straight away but the majority will eat away and become firm favourites. Overall the band must be ecstatic with the release of this album. The band appear to have gone back to their routes, possibly influenced by their recent tour in which they played key album ‘Draconian Times’ in full, and returned with a heavier output. The band have moved away from the more experimental albums of their past and consolidated everything into releasing a true heavy metal album. There is also less of the ‘operatic’ female backing that was more present on earlier albums including their 2007 album ‘In Requiem’. Ever since ‘In Requiem’ the band have been growing in strength and it has accumulated to this point. ‘Tragic Idol’ really delivers and the quality of the songs stand out. Mackintosh’s lead guitar work is never over the top but the lead guitar sections often make the songs. Some songs on this album are amongst his finest work. Holmes’ vocals are powerful and meaningful and are amongst the bands best. Fans of old will be drawn back and whilst ‘Tragic Idol’ may be the best work the band have released in recent years, only time will tell if it match career highs such as ‘Draconian Times’.
Tragic Idol: 7/10
By RazorRich for mlm
2012
Veteran Yorkshire goth/doom metal band 'Paradise Lost' have returned to glory with their fifteenth studio album, 'Tragic Idol'. Previous albums ‘Faith Divides Us, Death Unites Us’, ‘In Requiem’ and ‘Paradise Lost’ have seen the band return to their original heavy/doom metal routes. Although none of these albums have managed to repair the damage that the synth-pop/electronica era did to the bands original fan base (although the albums of this era were a success), their recent albums have grown in quality and have reach a pinnacle on this latest release. Song writing duties, as always, are all credited to vocalist Nick Holmes and lead guitarist Gregor Mackintosh. Here follows our breakdown of ‘Tragic Idol’.
Solitary One – An ominous start to the album. Slow paced with a chilling part over the chorus section which will sends shivers up the spine, this is one gloomy song. An interesting song but perhaps an odd choice for an album opener.
Crucify – The band turn it up a gear and give head bangers something to rejoice over. This song marks a return to the classic Paradise Lost of old and finally draws a line under the synth-pop/electronica era of the late 90’s.
Fear of Impending Hell – A really catchy song that contains all the elements you would expect from veteran song writers. The vocals in the chorus will have the listener wanting to sing along with all their heart. The whole song builds up perfectly into each section and is never over the top.
Honesty in Death- The lead single from the album and at first a little underwhelming. However, after a few listens this song really pulls you in. The solo is perfectly timed and again is just right for the song. The lead guitar in the outro is super catchy over the crushing rhythm section.
Theories from Another World – The contrast in speeds throughout the song adds real depth to the song. Overall if there was a filler track on this album then this would be it. It doesn’t grab the listener even after a few listens and the songs around it outshine it completely.
In This We Dwell – Another head bangers delight especially during the chugging riff that plays throughout the song. Nick Holmes’ vocals come through the speakers with a real kick, you can almost feel the venom in his vocals pulsing through your veins. This is one song guaranteed to have the listener cranking up the volume.
To The Darkness – Strangely the beginning guitar section reminded me of the opening to UFO’s ‘Doctor Doctor’ but this soon fades and moves quickly into a powerful chord progression. The lead guitar seems to indicate a more traditional metal sound and the song feels more upbeat. The middle section then brings it crashing down into the more familiar doom metal realms. The contrast works well within the songs own theme.
Tragic Idol – An excellent song all round and worthy of being the title track for the album. This is Paradise Lost at their song writing pinnacle. Holmes’ vocal style is mixed up throughout and the music moves from fast pace playing to slow chugging through to soaring guitar leads which Greg Mackintosh pulls off effortlessly and it all fits perfectly together where many other bands would struggle.
Worth Fighting For – My personal favourite song from the album. For me the album had built up and by this point songs have a lot to live up to to maintain the standard. There is lots of contrast in this song giving the listener lots to absorb, from the opening rolling drum section to the bowel churning bass sections and then the creepy guitar leads and the exemplary vocals, there is something for every listener in this song. A true triumph for the band.
The Glorious End – A slow build up into an epic ending, you can tell we have reached the end of the album. The title and the feel of this song do make this an album closer. Everything you want in an album closer is all here and the listener is left wanting more. The lead guitar work is excellent but you can feel all the components coming together to add to the full texture of the song.
Ending Through Changes – [Bonus Track] – An outstanding track considering it’s a bonus track, at first you may wonder why this never made it onto the album. The problem with this song is that it is another perfect album closer but ‘The Glorious End’ does the job better.
As with all 'Paradise Lost' albums the album takes a few listens before you can fully appreciate everything in the songs. There are few songs that will grab the listener straight away but the majority will eat away and become firm favourites. Overall the band must be ecstatic with the release of this album. The band appear to have gone back to their routes, possibly influenced by their recent tour in which they played key album ‘Draconian Times’ in full, and returned with a heavier output. The band have moved away from the more experimental albums of their past and consolidated everything into releasing a true heavy metal album. There is also less of the ‘operatic’ female backing that was more present on earlier albums including their 2007 album ‘In Requiem’. Ever since ‘In Requiem’ the band have been growing in strength and it has accumulated to this point. ‘Tragic Idol’ really delivers and the quality of the songs stand out. Mackintosh’s lead guitar work is never over the top but the lead guitar sections often make the songs. Some songs on this album are amongst his finest work. Holmes’ vocals are powerful and meaningful and are amongst the bands best. Fans of old will be drawn back and whilst ‘Tragic Idol’ may be the best work the band have released in recent years, only time will tell if it match career highs such as ‘Draconian Times’.
Tragic Idol: 7/10
By RazorRich for mlm