Review Summary: There is something beautiful in these minor tones; it’s just like looking at a lobster for the first time.
Paradise Lost has been around for quite a while now. Since their inception all the way back in 1988 they have been releasing a steady and more importantly above average display of music. From there debut
Lost Paradise which in retrospect flew succinctly under the radar; to their better known records in the shape of
Draconian Times,
Shades Of God and
Gothic (just to point out some of the bands earlier successes) the music itself was strong enough to launch Paradise Lost on to the global hard rock and metal scene. Enter
Tragic Idol in 2012 and it’s clear that for the most part Paradise Lost have lost (no pun intended) very little. Thankfully what’s gone is the use of pop – styled passages, electro influencing keyboards and instead focused on a sightlier dirtier traditional values sound, focusing more on stereotypical metal themes. From top to bottom (and for those who especially liked some of their earlier releases)
Tragic Idol is an enjoyable listen.
The album itself lives of typical gothic riff patterns, drawn out melodic vocal passages and to create a spike in interest melodic minor guitar leads. These leads are a high point for
Tragic Idol as they float around and under the main sections adding an extra layer that thickens and reinforces the gothic nature of the album. Unfortunately on repeated listens these extra little licks and melodic sections become a little derivative; say for example you order lobster thermidor at a restaurant – this is a quality dish (usually expensive) it’s going to be great the first time around, but order this dish six out of seven nights a week and you’ll be craving your rump steak or chicken schnitzel again. Now getting off the food,
Tragic Idol represents a veteran group who know fully well what they’re doing. The music is consistent from start to finish and roughly ties in the same vein as their previous records (although each has their minor and subtle differences). This is great news for the avid fan or even the casual listener; everybody knows what to expect.
Coming in a whole twenty-two years after the debut, Paradise Lost’s 2012 release makes for one of the most consistent listens in the doom metal scene. For fans of the genre who skipped Paradise Lost and went headlong into The Foreshadowing, Novembers Doom or even the more well-known Katatonia they should definitely give
Tragic Idol and the band’s more successful records a listen. For those completely new to the genre or band – well you are either going to appreciate the simplicity of the music tied in with thoughtful musicianship or find this completely un-polarizing. Whichever the case there should be something here that listeners will appreciate. One things for sure these doom metal veterans have still got it.
