Title: Faith Divides Us – Death Unites Us
Artist: Paradise Lost
Genre: Gothic Metal
Release Date: 25th September 2009
Label: Century Media Records
For over 20 years, the Gothic Metal pioneers PARADISE LOST are around now and not at every point of their long-lasting career fans would agree with or accept what they were putting out musically e.g. with ’Host’ to name just the most prominent one. But already with ‘Over The Strain’ on ‘Paradise Lost’ began what would result in a much more guitar-laden follow-up with ‘In Requiem’ and will find its temporary pinnacle with the upcoming new album ‘Faith Divides Us – Death Unites Us’.
It all starts with ‘As Horizons End’ that kicks it off with a few ethereal choirs before the band takes off with crunchy rhythms, Aaron Aedy’s rolling riffs and Greg Mackintosh’s unmistakable lead chords. Nick is “screaming” like back in the old days and I can imagine not a little amount of fans will go into raptures over it. These vocals are brilliant, powerful, simply the best for a long time, even though I really dig his singing voice. The follow-up ‘I Remain’ doesn’t even waste time with a sort of introduction and deep riffs with dynamic drums directly cut deep into the flesh. Sometimes it seems to me Nick is short before grunting. Anyway, I just love it. The dynamic verse section then leads over to a rather traditional melodic middle part that is even topped by what’s coming after the first chorus, seeing the arrangement jumping headfirst into hopelessness made tangible through Nick’s strident, softened delivery.
’Frailty’ is a protean, little monster starting off with beautifully sad melodies in a balladry outfit and a fantastic solo. Then, it’s gaining extreme momentum and a ride on galloping double-bass attacks begins until there’s another break and the rhythm changes once again, and again and again. It’s a little masterpiece and a cohesive one at that, because regardless of its various tempo changes it’s never sounding like different parts just pieced together to form a song. The album’s title track is an all epic piece of music having the deep melodies we love the band for, a Nick Holmes who with his clean voice creates goose bump showers within the verses and even goes one better with the desperation-filled chorus. When you hear the first notes of the pessimistic piano opening of ‘Last Regret’ you can almost hear someone saying “There’s no hope anymore”.
I mean, I m hearing this. For me it always feels as if these are literally the last words of someone who has decided to just leave this world for good, because he doesn’t see the light that is associated with hope anymore. Well, as hard as it may seem we have to jump to the conclusion now, otherwise I would go on and on and could release this as novel one day. Well, they promised us the album would get heavier and darker, and did they keep their promise? Definitely, but they didn’t leave it at that. ‘Faith Divides Us – Death Unites Us’ contains their strongest material to date. It’s raw, intense and epic. It’s everything the fans hoped for!
Tracklist
01. As Horizons End - 5:26
02. I Remain - 4:09
03. First Light - 5:00
04. Frailty - 4:25
05. Faith Divides Us – Death Unites Us - 4:21
06. The Rise of Denial - 4:47
07. Living with Scars - 4:23
08. Last Regret - 4:24
09. Universal Dream - 4:17
10. In Truth - 4:54
Line-up
Nick Holmes - Vocals
Greg Mackintosh - Lead Guitar
Aaron Aedy - Rhythm Guitar
Steve Edmondson - Bass Guitar
Adrian Erlandsson - Drums
Website
http://www.paradiselost.co.uk/ / http://www.myspace.com/paradiselostuk
Cover Picture
Rating
Music: 9
Sound: 9
Extras: -
Total: 9 / 10
{jos_sb_discuss:19}
Comments powered by CComment