๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ - ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ข๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐จ๐ย ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ & ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐โฆ
28 years ago this month, as they were โYearning For Changeโ, the lords of Gothic Doom Metal set loose the โShadowkingsโ
On June 12, 1995, Paradise Lost released their fifth full-length studio album โDraconian Timesโ via Music For Nations/Relativity Records.
Background:
In December 1994, Paradise Lostโs original drummer, Matthew Archer quit and was replaced by drummer Lee Morris. Less than a month later, the band entered the studio in January 1995 to record their fifth and most successful album, โDraconian Timesโ, which was released in June 1995. Gregor Mackintosh said about โDraconian Timesโ; "that it's the album by which everything else we do gets judged. Rightly so, as it's the backbone of our career and sound." The album charted in the Top 20 album chart in a number of countries including the UK and Germany.
Two tracks from the album, "The Last Time" and "Forever Failure", were released as singles with music videos, and both charted.
Noteworthy:
The album was played in its entirety on the band's live record โDraconian Times MMXIโ. It was also released with โShades of Godโ and โIconโ in a boxed set called Original Album Classics.
A song called "Another Desire" was written during the recording of Draconian Times, but not released on the album or the reissues. Instead, it was included in the "Forever Failure" single.
Overview:
The album... Forboding, Esoteric, Haunting and, like the title of the opening track says, full of Enchantment.
From the first moment you hear the strokes of those piano keys in the beginning of the aforementioned song, Enchantment, you understand all to well that this is not your usual Paradise Lost album or anything typical to that era of Metal. Nick Holmes uses more clean vocals, that quite pleasantly offsets his usual gruff voice of the latter days. It is a match made in โMetal Heavenโ, so to speak.
Now for the songs. Itโs almost poetic, how the verses, pre-chorus and choruses of the song blend. Iโve already mentioned the opening track, Enchantment. But, the album spurred two singles, โThe Last Timeโ & โForever Failureโ. The first being a more straightforward Rock song that is almost anthemic. The second being one of Doom and Sorrow that makes you feel that the person is longing for acceptance. What makes this track even more intriguing is the use of Charles Mansonโs voice throughout.
Every track on this album is bloody brilliant. I could go on forever in detail about every song. โShades Of Godโ, which was the title of the album prior to โDraconian Timesโ, is a Doom Classic, with guitar leads that will send shivers down your spine. Or, at least give you goosebumps. โYearn For Changeโ & โI See Your Faceโ are deep and full of emotion. โHallowed Landโ, with itโs wonderful off-beat drum patterns courtesy of newcomer, Lee Morris, is most excellent (if you listen to only one track, make it this one).
Of course, producer extraordinaire, Simon Efemey had a hand in creating what I believe is one of the best quality albums ever recorded. The tone here is superb. And, I do not believe anyone, despite many attempts, has ever captured the sound that Paradise Lost was able to capture on this album. Not even PL themselves. The tone of the guitars. The sophisticated production of Nicks vocals. The drums of Lee Morris. It is all pure magic.
Last, but not least is the iconic artwork of Holly Warburton. The multi-faceted images she produced for this cover have long-since been imitated by many artists in the the last 20 plus years. But, never has anyone captured the essence of this style like she has.
Normally, I would give you some key tracks to look for but, in the case of this album, every track is key. โ E.N. Wells
Critical Reception:
Daevid Jehnzen of AllMusic rewarded the album a score of 4.5 out of 5, calling it a mix "between stark, oppressive Goth Rock and crunching Heavy Metal" and praising Paradise Lost's ability to "create and sustain a mood".
Ulf Kubanke of Laut.de calls the album "a perfect mix between beauty and morbidity" and also points out that the album sounds "as if Hetfield took a bite out of the album โFirst and Last and Always".
Links to Artists, Albums, and Music Videos:
Click this link to listen to โDraconian Timesโ via Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/draconian-times-25th-anniversary-edition/1532489202
Click this link to watch the official music video for โThe Last Timeโ: https://youtu.be/iZDyvuLN7fk
Click this link to watch the official music video for โForever Failureโ: https://youtu.be/gVgIW_pBcdI
Click this link to follow Paradise Lost on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paradiselostofficial/
Note: The reviews shared here are for historical reference. The views and opinions expressed within are not always supported (in full or in part) by Into the Wells. โ E.N. Wells
(Pictured in this blog is the original CD release of โDraconian Timesโ, โThe Last Time - CD singleโ, โForever Failure - digipak CD singleโ, and the โLegacy Edition Digibookโ, remastered and rereleased in 2011 by Music For Nations, plus the 25th anniversary promo tee. Donโt forget to check out โDraconian Times MMXIโ in which Paradise Lost performed the whole album in itโs entirety live.)
Note: The reviews shared here are for historical reference. The views and opinions expressed within are not always supported (in full or in part) by Into the Wells. โ E.N. Wells
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