PARADISE LOST

PARADISE LOST
IN REQUIEM (2007)
320 KBPS

Although I am a fan of both the doom/death metal Paradise Lost of yore and the band's more recent, electro-synth-goth incarnation, it seems to me that albums after 2001's Believe In Nothing were progressively getting less and less inspired, with the songwriting sometimes receding into trivial cliché, and with the band having a hard time in general spawning what is their definitive trademark regardless of current musical style - songs that are both emotionally punishing and expertly written. Already on their self-titled tenth album the chaps from Halifax tried to re-energize their music by returning to a decidedly heavier sound; however, it is finally with In Requiem that they full-heartedly embrace their old style (circa Icon and Draconian Times) while losing none of the subtlety that they have been exploring since One Second.
Yes - it's true - Nick Holmes even sometimes growls on this album, such as on the mind-numbingly excellent opener that is "Never For The Damned". It is obvious that he has decided that he no longer has anything to prove as a versatile vocalist and its OK now to go back a little to his older style. "Ash And Debris", "The Enemy" and the title track all follow in a similar vein, with heavy rhythms, loud guitars and harsh vocals dominating the songwriting. "The Enemy" in particular stands out as an exceptionally catchy song and it is therefore not surprising that it has been selected to be released as a single. The return to a heavier style also largely saves us from the increasingly kitschy use of samples and keyboards that PL have been developing on their previous two albums. Luckily for those of us who like variety in our music, PL doesn't totally abandon their more subtle style here and there are some truly excellent, melancholic moments on this album too - "Unreachable", "Beneath Black Skies" and "Sedative God" stand out in this respect. "Prelude To Descent" is a full-fledged doom-metal dirge, while "Your Own Reality" is a return to the Depeche Mode-like sound of Host. All in all, one could definitely say that Paradise Lost chose the best elements of most of their past discography (except for the really extreme early stuff) and created an album that capably shows them all off.
Although Paradise Lost never really released anything that could even remotely be considered crap, In Requiem stands as one of their best works - and this is saying a lot. To be placed on the same pedestal as Icon, Draconian Times and One Second, the music on this record speaks for itself and it of interest to anyone considering themselves a fan of this band or of doom metal, gothic metal or any other melancholic type of metal.

1. Never For The Damned
2. Ash & Debris
3. The Enemy
4. Praise Lamented Shade
5. Requiem
6. Unreachable
7. Prelude To Descent
8. Fallen Children
9. Beneath Black Skies
10. Sedative God
11. Your Own Reality