Paradise Lost - _Draconian Times_
(Relativity, 1995)
by: Adrian Bromley (6 out of 10)
"It was the best of times. It was the worst of times..." and then there is _Draconian Times_. So begins the famous words that start off _A Tale Of Two Cities_ and how fitting are those words for a fair comparison of Paradise Lost's latest LP. I really wanted to like this album, especially with the chills and thrills that 1993's _Icon_ brought to me. Somewhat of a letdown if you ask me, with the band carrying on more of a Sisters Of Mercy-meets-Metallica sound, allowing the band to come across cleaner and with a definite direction for the music, but in the end allowing little if any variety in the twelve tracks found here. This band, hands down, has written some amazing 'epic' numbers that cast out doom and gloom but still shine with beauty and dwell in mystery, but with _Draconian Times_, we are left wondering where we are at most times. The listener never really grasps the emotions bestowed by tracks like 'Hallowed Land' or 'Shades Of God'. Despite the flaws of the LP, opener 'Enchantment', 'Forever Failure', and 'Yearn For Change' are definitely ones to take note of because unlike some of the other numbers, these are the songs that show maturity and growth. Sure this change for the band seems to have left me in a rut for now but in due time I guess I and the rest of Paradise Lost's fans will hopefully make out the blurred vision of _Draconian Times_ and it will become clearer. Masterpiece or disapointment? You be the judge but tell me this: is this where _Icon_ should have been continued from?
(article published 13/12/1995)
Facebook
Twitter ::
:
::
HTML :
CSS ::
All contents copyright 1995-2024 their individual creators. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
All opinions expressed in Chronicles of Chaos are opinions held at the time of writing by the individuals expressing them.
They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of anyone else, past or present.