The recent reissue of 1997’s One Second harked back to Paradise Lost’s “experimental” electro-goth era but, although the band has since returned to metal, they are no less experimental today. 2015’s The Plague Within featured the surprise reintroduction of doom/death metal and growled vocals to the band’s modern style and on their latest album Medusa the veteran band continues their increasingly extreme trajectory. This is Paradise Lost’s sludgiest, trudgiest album since 1992’s Shades Of God.
The album kicks off with Fearless Sky, Gods Of Ancient and From The Gallows. All crushing slabs of epic misery with crusty riffing, mournful harmonies and Nick Holmes’ increasingly impressive vocal snarl. Anyone expecting the UK band’s traditional melody and immediacy might find this opening trio uninviting but repeat listens prove rewarding and reveal the kind of compelling emotional depth that is the hallmark of great doom. The entire album follows in this imposingly bleak vein but, as it progresses, the band factor in Type O-style clean vocals and anthemic, gloomy hooks in songs like the stunning title track, The Longest Winter and Blood And Chaos. The skillful pacing and variation preventing the album from buckling under its own miserable weight.
Fans of the band’s earliest albums and tracks like Beneath Broken Earth from The Plague Within will find Medusa very satisfying indeed. Fans of One Second are advised to be patient. Whereas that album offered easy and immediate songcraft, it has proven a shade disposable over the years. By comparison, Medusa is a difficult album to get on with but it’s an uncompromising work of substance that will continue to repay dedicated listeners. It’s another wonderful offering in the stellar career of these fearless, ancient gods.
HEAVY METAL OVERLOAD 
HMO I’m enjoying reading about these artists that I’m not familiar with, in a genre I don’t frequent all that often – and seeing that I have similar reactions (like the easy can lead to disposable, difficult to rewarding) with completely different artists.
Mind you, most of my go-to artists aren’t ancient Gods, but still, interesting to see the parallels!
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I’m always a bit worried about anyone that I instantly love! Feels like they probably won’t last for long.
And ancient Gods… doesn’t Donovan count?
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Haha, it’s possible he qualifies!
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I second what that fella above me posted!
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Any albums that you really loved at first but then got sick of?
(Don’t say 80s KISS or I’ll stop talking to you as well)
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Hey …
Creatures of the night is in my all time Top 3 Kiss studio albums along with Rock N Roll Over and Alive(ha)
Lick It Up and Animalize as well esp LIU being the stronger of the two….
Now u put my thinking cap on about albums I loved but got sick of…
One of them would be at the time Mr Bigs…Lean into it….
I bought that right away in 91 by 92 To Be With You was so overplayed I haver not heard it since 92..hahaha
Another would be Extreme with More Than Words…
Avoided it until last year when they put the incredible Live album and played Pornograffatti front to back
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Interesting. Mr Big and Extreme… that’s two bands I just never really got into at all. I remember you recommending that Pornograffitti live album though.
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Extreme live is a great album..Nuno is on fire!
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I really like this. Really quite a bit, actually.
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You need to get some PL! Essential metal band. So many great albums. The previous one was great too and they’ve done totally classic albums in the past like Icon and Draconian Times.
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I’ve added them to my list. I am hopeful I’ll get to them by 2020.
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But by then you’ll be a doddery old fool!
(P. S. I saw the “whit is it” woman on Argyle St yesterday!)
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Good point, by then I’ll be exclusively listening to U2, Elbow and Coldplay. I’ll jot them in for 2018.
(Hahaha! Amazing! I trust she was going around sitting on people’s jackets!?)
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No, just glowering at everybody!
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So a bit like Dire Straits then?
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Exactly. Apart from all the goat jobbies.
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Woah! Someone’s been pretty generous. Need to give this a listen myself and review it too. Excited after reading this.
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It did take a few listens. First couple I thought were a bit meh but then it started to click. Paradise Lost are one of my fave bands anyway so I’m a bit biased! You’re a big fan too, right? I’m sure you’ll love it!
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Yes I am! The Plague Within is one of my fave PL albums. (Together with Draconian Times, Shades of God and Gothic). It’s playing here and so far, a lot of bangers in there to put a smile on my face.
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Awesome! Those are all great picks!
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You’ve mentioned this lot before… I quite liked the AIC vibe on that track you linked – I can actually understand what they’re saying!
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He’s quite decipherable. Even when he’s growling away.
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