Whatever experimentation these guys have been
throwing out there for the last 10 years or so is evidently... gone. The
legendary Paradise
Lost are back to form! That's not to say everything they performed between
“Draconian Times” and the self-titled were bad, but the material
was certainly not too reminiscent of their previous albums. Matter of fact,
this album may be their heaviest to date. "In Requiem" is an appropriate
follow-up to "Paradise Lost" and perhaps, an equally appropriate
follow-up to something like- "Icon"? The new album has 11 tracks
(13 to 14 depending on which digipak version) with a playing time of around
45 minutes. "Never for the Damned", the album’s first track,
is probably the perfect beginning for this album. It features lots of Draconian-era
piano, guitar melodies, some double kicks, and an altogether mid-pace that
older fans can appreciate. Let's not get caught up in "old" material
though, because there is a lot of stuff Paradise Lost have yet to present
and do so very well. More so in a way that doesn't flaw their trademark
sound. Basically, “In Requiem” is the freshest and most sophisticated
sounding Paradise Lost album since “Draconian Times.” So believe
what you will, but you can definitely believe in a fantastic album when
you hear one!
Rating: 93
Reviewed By: Thomas Mitchell |
