Metal Reviews

Reflection
Paradise Lost

The tracks are :
1. Just Say Words (4:02)
2. Hallowed Land (5:02)
3. True Belief (4:30)
4. Pity The Sadness (5:02)
5. Eternal (3:45)
6. Forever Failure (remix) (4:13)
7. Gothic (4:41)
8. One Second (3:30)
9. Rotting Misery (in dub) (5:58)
10. The Last Time ( 3:25)
11. Mercy (4:22)
12. Widow (3:04)
13. Embers Fire (4:44)
14. As I Die (3:45)
15. Soul Courageous (live) (3:09)
16. Blood Of Another (live) (3:59)
17. As I Die (live) (3:56)

How many times have you picked up a compilation or best off as there so often called and thought why bother?

Yeah, thought so, me too, many a time.

But this is a bit different, for a start it's Paradise Lost, not only are these Yorkshire lads one of my favourite bands, but also without a doubt one of the UK's finest exports of the last ten years and secondly, after the much publicized move from Music For Nations to Emi (all sides parted best off friends which makes for a change these days).

Reflection is more of a celebration of their outstanding achievements in the world of metal and a promise of greater things to come.

All of the bands six albums are represented on Reflection and as there are 14 tracks that were chosen by the band, so you can guarantee that this compilation is well thought out and a fair reflection of the bands work to date from the doom heavy riffs of 'Rotting Misery' from the 'In Dub' EP right up to present day with the likes of 'Say Just Words' from 1997's 'One Second'.

In fact it's the inclusion of songs from their lessor known work that makes 'Reflection' a good buy for the newer fan who only knows Paradise Lost from 'Icon' onwards and indeed for those who have followed the band from square one, but who may have forgotten how good their earlier numbers where apart from the two songs already mentioned.

You also have 'Eternal' and 'Gothic' from 1991's 'Gothic' album, 'Pity The Sadness' and 'As I Die' from 'Shades Of God', while my favourite album 'Icon' (1993) has been well represented by all three all time classics 'True Belief', Embers Fire' and 'Widow'. The bittersweet harmonies of 'The Last Time' and the superb guitar riffs of 'Hallowed Land' remind us all what a mean and moody epic 'Draconian Times' was.

You also get 3 bonus tracks 'Soul Courageous', 'Blood Of Another' and 'As I Die' which were recorded live at The Shepherds Bush Empire, London on the 26th January 1998.

All in all this as a fine album and a must have for old and new fans alike even if it only makes you go to your collection and play all the albums in full.

Just one point, I would like to mention, included with the disc is an 8 page booklet which is inserted into the sleeve of the digipack and it is very difficult to get out without tearing the sleeve.

Released by Music For Nations, 333 Latimer Road, London. W10 6RA
Website : http://www.peaceville.com/

Paradise Lost : http://www.paradiselost.co.uk/

Host

Paradise Lost

Paradise Lost are:

Nick Holmes - Vocals
Greg Mackintosh - Guitar / Keyboards
Aaron Aedy - Guitars
Stephen Edmondson - Bass
Lee Morris - Drums

Tracklisting:

1. So Much Is Lost
2. Nothing Sacred
3. In All Honesty
4. Harbour
5. Ordinary Days
6. It's Too Late
7. Permanent Solution
8. Behind The Grey
9. Wreck
10. Made The Same
11. Deep
12. Year Of Summer
13. Host

Paradise Lost return with their 7th album and their first since their much publicized move to "EMI".

'Host' features 13 tracks of Dark/Synth rock, fusing influences as diverse as Black Sabbath, Depeche Mode and Abba and sees the group heading further in the direction introduced on 1997's "One Second" album.

'Host' is without doubt their most adventurous work to date managing to capture all that's good about the electronic age while with the help of their distinctive guitar and vocals maintain that distinctive Paradise Lost feel,all of the 13 tracks that make up 'Host', or put it another way Paradise Lost were once just a heavy metal band, now they're much much more.

Lyrically the band have moved on, yes, they still concentrate on the darker, unpleasant side of life, but instead of shouting "Why Is Life So Shit!", they've accepted it and moved on. The best example can be heard on 'Behind The Grey', 'It's Too Late' and 'So Much Is Lost'.

'Host' has an almost seamless quality to it, each track blending in perfectly with the next, I don't know who decided the running order, but they have done a damn fine job.

'Host' simply oozes with atmosphere and praise must be given to the gamble Paradise Lost took, when changing direction to release "One Second" and now this fine album.

Being a fan of the band for many years, it's only natural, I suppose that I preferred the darker, more gothic numbers such as 'Harbour' and 'Behind The Grey'. But with the overall quality of the songs on 'Host', being so good, this album is bound to open the band to a much wider audience and good luck to them.
Highly Recommended!

Paradise Lost Information/Worldwide Mail-order Service and Fan Cub:
The Painless, P.O.BOX 411, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD6 2LQ, UK
(Please enclose SAE or 2 IRC's)
Tel & Fax: +44 (0)1274 391728
E-mail: the.painless@paradiselost.co.uk
Official Paradise Lost Website: www.paradiselost.co.uk

Released in the UK by Chrysalis (7243 5 205567 2)