Det_Nosnip
10-06-2004, 03:34 AM
http://www.paradiselost.co.uk/graphics/coverssymbol1.jpg
The latest effort by British quintet Paradise Lost is certainly a solid album. Although not my favorite album by them (that title would be bestowed upon "Draconian Times"), it is still quite good. I found that this one needs to grow on you a bit, but it gets to be rather addicting. It's biggest strength is probably its diversity; the band explores a number of different musical directions and ideas throughout the album. Some of their classic doom sound that they, along with other key influential bands like My Dying Bride and Katatonia, helped create still shows up, but there are also traces of many different musical movements found throughout the disc.
1. Isolate - the album's opening up-beat industrial rocker also happens to be one of the more cryptic songs lyrically.
For the curious, see if you can figure it out:
I'm sent for elimination.
To where I cannot know,
but I'm lost without a chance in hell
And I'm lost with doubts I can avoid this
Come feel the fire burn I'll slowly drift away
A victim of the future my mind and soul decayed
Isolate.
I'm sent for eradication
By whom I cannot know,
but I'm lost without a chance in hell
I'm the last one out I can't avoid this
Exposed to fire but I'll burn another way
A victim of the future I embrace the tourniquet
Isolate.
Lead us all to pastures green
To search and learn from ones I cannot be
Lead us all to harmony
To search and learn
The one I cannot be
2. Erased
Keeping with the industrial feel of the first song, this one takes a similar but still different approach to that theme. With the addition of guest female vocals accompanying Holmes on the choruses and a catchy vibe, it's a decent tune.
3. Two Worlds - This song kicks total ***, probably my favorite song on the album. There's something darkly alluring about it. The driving guitars are very effective in tandem with Nick Holmes' ever powerful vocals. Apparently, Devin Townsend (SYL) makes a guest appearance on this song, always good.
4. Pray Nightfall - Excellent track. One of the better percussion songs on the album. Some awesome cross running vocal lines, as well...I love the part with "Pray nightfall release me Then I could wander, wander to deep sleep...." Wonderful deep timbre vocals.
5. Primal - Another great tune, sounds huge when everything kicks in..I especially like Holmes' singing on the verses. Good stuff. :thumb:
6. Perfect Mask Another industrial-feeling tune. Not particularly bad, but not my favorite, either
7. Mystify This seems to be a kind of twisted love song...the main chorus line comes in, "Celebrate! Terrify me. Don't mystify your love," as a melodic contrast to the rest of the eerie song.
8. No Celebration Another interesting song lyrically. Slower paced, but still powerful
9. Self Obsessed This song sets off the theme right from the beginning, as Holmes starts off by proclaiming "I'm self obsessed!" IMO, one of the better songs on the album, this is a great up-beat rocker.
10. Symbol of Life Title track to the album. This is a weird song...very vocally based, with instruments and orchestration used more as ambience and support than as driving forces except for on the choruses. It's a good song...I don't really have any problems with anything on this album, to be honest, but it's a weird track nonetheless.
11. Channel for the pain
This one comes out of nowhere as a heavy ***, dark tune. Holmes almost reminds me of Mike Patton at times on this track, cool stuff.
12. (bonus track) Xavier
13. (bonus track) Small town boy
These last two are both covers...interesting songs, I hadn't recognized either beforehand.
The latest effort by British quintet Paradise Lost is certainly a solid album. Although not my favorite album by them (that title would be bestowed upon "Draconian Times"), it is still quite good. I found that this one needs to grow on you a bit, but it gets to be rather addicting. It's biggest strength is probably its diversity; the band explores a number of different musical directions and ideas throughout the album. Some of their classic doom sound that they, along with other key influential bands like My Dying Bride and Katatonia, helped create still shows up, but there are also traces of many different musical movements found throughout the disc.
1. Isolate - the album's opening up-beat industrial rocker also happens to be one of the more cryptic songs lyrically.
For the curious, see if you can figure it out:
I'm sent for elimination.
To where I cannot know,
but I'm lost without a chance in hell
And I'm lost with doubts I can avoid this
Come feel the fire burn I'll slowly drift away
A victim of the future my mind and soul decayed
Isolate.
I'm sent for eradication
By whom I cannot know,
but I'm lost without a chance in hell
I'm the last one out I can't avoid this
Exposed to fire but I'll burn another way
A victim of the future I embrace the tourniquet
Isolate.
Lead us all to pastures green
To search and learn from ones I cannot be
Lead us all to harmony
To search and learn
The one I cannot be
2. Erased
Keeping with the industrial feel of the first song, this one takes a similar but still different approach to that theme. With the addition of guest female vocals accompanying Holmes on the choruses and a catchy vibe, it's a decent tune.
3. Two Worlds - This song kicks total ***, probably my favorite song on the album. There's something darkly alluring about it. The driving guitars are very effective in tandem with Nick Holmes' ever powerful vocals. Apparently, Devin Townsend (SYL) makes a guest appearance on this song, always good.
4. Pray Nightfall - Excellent track. One of the better percussion songs on the album. Some awesome cross running vocal lines, as well...I love the part with "Pray nightfall release me Then I could wander, wander to deep sleep...." Wonderful deep timbre vocals.
5. Primal - Another great tune, sounds huge when everything kicks in..I especially like Holmes' singing on the verses. Good stuff. :thumb:
6. Perfect Mask Another industrial-feeling tune. Not particularly bad, but not my favorite, either
7. Mystify This seems to be a kind of twisted love song...the main chorus line comes in, "Celebrate! Terrify me. Don't mystify your love," as a melodic contrast to the rest of the eerie song.
8. No Celebration Another interesting song lyrically. Slower paced, but still powerful
9. Self Obsessed This song sets off the theme right from the beginning, as Holmes starts off by proclaiming "I'm self obsessed!" IMO, one of the better songs on the album, this is a great up-beat rocker.
10. Symbol of Life Title track to the album. This is a weird song...very vocally based, with instruments and orchestration used more as ambience and support than as driving forces except for on the choruses. It's a good song...I don't really have any problems with anything on this album, to be honest, but it's a weird track nonetheless.
11. Channel for the pain
This one comes out of nowhere as a heavy ***, dark tune. Holmes almost reminds me of Mike Patton at times on this track, cool stuff.
12. (bonus track) Xavier
13. (bonus track) Small town boy
These last two are both covers...interesting songs, I hadn't recognized either beforehand.