Paradise Lost
Metro Theatre
Sydney, Australia
December 15, 2017
“It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light.” -Aristotle
A band with such longevity as Paradise Lost while consistently maintaining relevance for a scene they become originators for, as well as a line-up that has remained consistent and stable with only changing drummers over the course of time resulting in a collective, consistent and coherent approach to quality songwriting that displays a breadth and depth that few of their peers do, is seldom to be found.
Since they first incarnated in Halifax, West Yorkshire, Paradise Lost blossomed in Cimmerian shade and a niche they have created for themselves, i.e. fusing Gothic elements with a foundation of Doom Metal, and have proven to be an influential band for a myriad of bands rooted in often completely different genres.
Twenty-five years after releasing their debut album, Paradise Lost emerged again in Australia for only five shows to perform songs from their trailblazing catalogue as well as focussing on material from their confounding new album The Plague Within.
The set was diverse paying homage to their roots in the old school death / doom sound of their early releases via the evolution of incorporating quieter passages, keyboards and the softening of Nick Holmes’ death grunt to what resembled a James Hetfield-esque barking to quieter passages laced with Electronica and synthesizers and highlighting the band’s return to their gothic metal sound they are most known and held in esteem for.
It was great to hear the newer, slower, brooding and relentlessly heavy cuts from their doom-laden recent album, ‘The Plague within’ with Nick Holmes growling more than he has in years – which cements Paradise Lost’s legacy and is testament to the fact that things are cyclical as it marks a return to their heavier, darker and gloomier side.
The performance confirmed the notion that Paradise Lost is after all these years one of the few solid, classic bands that are worth coming back to.
With a focused tour de force with a well curated setlist devoid of showy ornaments, the architects of gothic metal demonstrated in an impressive manner that they are all about the delivery and deliver they did in spades.
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Photos by KAVV
