Paradise Lost - Tragic Idol

Did a quick search and couldn't find another thread dedicated to this rather awesome album.

I'm curious to find out what others think of the latest Paradise Lost opus. They've been one of my favourite bands now for a long time, since they released their second album 'Gothic'.

Over the years the band have undergone a lot of changes in their style ranging from full on death metal to more mainstream gothic tinged heavy metal then onto the goth electronica period where they had more in common with bands like the mission and sisters of mercy. They then morphed into a very depeche mode sounding outfit before returning to the gothic tinged heavy metal sound.

Their last two albums have sounded like they could have been straight follow ups to shades of god, their third album. Shades of god being the last album which could be classified as death/doom metal.

For me it's all about the ability to write good music and I think this band has bundles of talent and I've enjoyed each phase the band has gone through, yes even the much loathed host period. I do prefer the heavier side of the band but can appreciate the good music and nick Holmes superb vocals on all their albums.

New opus 'Tragic idol' picks up right where previous album faith divides us, deah unites us left off. Like its predecessor it's a thunderously heavy album which is very doomy and gothic with a vocal style that strikes a balance between the clean vocals nick is so good at and the more aggressive rougher vocals that sound very much like shades of god/icon era. Not quite a death metal growl but close.

Theirs hardly any piano/keyboards and as a result the album feels more organic and not over produced.

If anyone left the band behind after draconian times I would encourage you to pick up the self titled album released a while back as this sounded very much like a follow up to draconian times and since then every album has gotten heavier and darker. The last two would definitely please fans of their early death/doom sound.

I only enjoyed Draconian Times.

But i will be giving this one a chance.

I still can't get past Lost Paradise and Gothic

I need to get it. Paradise Lost have been on a roll for the last few albums...

Shawn Of Fire wrote:

I need to get it. Paradise Lost have been on a roll for the last few albums...

They certainly have and this latest album is just so damned good. Hasn't been off my iPod since i got it last week. Already an album of the year contender for me. Been a strong year so far what with new accept, overkill, anathema and cannibal corpse albums all being great. Next up firewind.

2012 is shaping up nicely.

I actually think I like the new album better than the last.

Phoenix Reign Drummer wrote:

I actually think I like the new album better than the last.

I know I do.

It's on my radar for sure.

My first experience with Paradise Lost is the single "Tragic Idol" that I got on the Century Family Summer Sampler. I have known of them for quite a while but this song is blowing my mind! The vocals and the musicianship are phenomenal. After hearing this I checked out Draconian Times on Spotify, and I gotta say, Tragic Idol and Draconian Times went strait to the top of my purchase list.

Draconian Times is Phenominal. As for Tragic Idol, I almost got it but at $16.95 I figured I could find it cheaper online. Next paycheck I will be ordering it along with the new Lillian Axe and Firewind.

DallasBlack wrote:

Draconian Times is Phenominal. As for Tragic Idol, I almost got it but at $16.95 I figured I could find it cheaper online. Next paycheck I will be ordering it along with the new Lillian Axe and Firewind.

I wouldn't bother with the new firewind, boring. I was disappointed and feel that firewind are coasting at the moment. I wonder if it's either me and my tastes changing or that firewind, along with a lot of power metal bands, are just not releasing memorable albums and are simply treading water.

Wayne wrote:

DallasBlack wrote:

Draconian Times is Phenominal. As for Tragic Idol, I almost got it but at $16.95 I figured I could find it cheaper online. Next paycheck I will be ordering it along with the new Lillian Axe and Firewind.

I wouldn't bother with the new firewind, boring. I was disappointed and feel that firewind are coasting at the moment. I wonder if it's either me and my tastes changing or that firewind, along with a lot of power metal bands, are just not releasing memorable albums and are simply treading water.

Well, Exact says he likes it and our tastes match up in most cases.

I ordered my copy of Draconian Times and Tragic Idol. Unfortunately I have to wait a little longer as my prime membership expired. Oh well. The anticipation is going strong!

I went with the import version of Draconian Times as it had a couple of extra tracks and was the same price as the original release.