Paradise Lost – Draconian Times

If Paradise Lost has ever been anywhere near worldwide stardom, this was it.

Originally released in 1995, “Draconian Times” was the band’s fifth album, and it was an unlikely commercial success against the odds in a decade where grunge and alternative rock plagued the world music charts, putting the band’s name all over each and every relevant metal festival happening in the continent.

Since then, the album has remained a career staple for the band, even gaining the moniker of “The European Black Album” in reference to the similar commercial breakout that Metallica experienced when their homonymous album was released, propelling them into the world stardom.

“Draconian Times” was the first in a series of albums along Paradise Lost’s career that would represent a sort of “culmination” after a transformation process. Since their debut, the band had been slowly but surely leaving the purely death metal grounds, first tapping into the source of what later would become a whole subgenre with their second album (1991’s “Gothic”), and then discarding growling vocals in 1993’s “Icon”.

The album would then upgrade the melody and riff game, while Nick Holmes enhanced his vocal melodies, making the album overall more accessible to a wider audience without sacrificing any of the quality and artistic integrity that the band had been displaying up to that point. Not a small achievement by any means, one that confirmed that all the above changes followed a clear artistic path stemming from conviction, rather than calculated commercial targets.

Songs like the opener “Enchantment”, “Hallowed Land”, “Once Solemn”, “Yearn For Change”, “Shadowkings” and, of course, the single “The Last Time” were ammunition for a killer loaded gun of an album that took Paradise Lost to the next level in terms of popularity… before they started to mutate again into a totally different beast. But that’s another story and shall be told in another occasion.

If Paradise Lost has ever been anywhere near worldwide stardom, this was it.

Originally released in 1995, “Draconian Times” was the band’s fifth album, and it was an unlikely commercial success against the odds in a decade where grunge and alternative rock plagued the world music charts, putting the band’s name all over each and every relevant metal festival happening in the continent.

Since then, the album has remained a career staple for the band, even gaining the moniker of “The European Black Album” in reference to the similar commercial breakout that Metallica experienced when their homonymous album was released, propelling them into the world stardom.

“Draconian Times” was the first in a series of albums along Paradise Lost’s career that would represent a sort of “culmination” after a transformation process. Since their debut, the band had been slowly but surely leaving the purely death metal grounds, first tapping into the source of what later would become a whole subgenre with their second album (1991’s “Gothic”), and then discarding growling vocals in 1993’s “Icon”.

The album would then upgrade the melody and riff game, while Nick Holmes enhanced his vocal melodies, making the album overall more accessible to a wider audience without sacrificing any of the quality and artistic integrity that the band had been displaying up to that point. Not a small achievement by any means, one that confirmed that all the above changes followed a clear artistic path stemming from conviction, rather than calculated commercial targets.

Songs like the opener “Enchantment”, “Hallowed Land”, “Once Solemn”, “Yearn For Change”, “Shadowkings” and, of course, the single “The Last Time” were ammunition for a killer loaded gun of an album that took Paradise Lost to the next level in terms of popularity… before they started to mutate again into a totally different beast. But that’s another story and shall be told in another occasion.

beautiful pressing, sound is amazing and the gatefold is plendid

Shit release, there were plastic leftovers from the records inside the envelopes. It was sealed, but still one of the records had a scratch. Sounds awful.

This 16-bit reissue (almost certainly a remaster, likely 2011) sounds amazing. The clarity, dynamics, and mix are perfect. There's no ear daggers or boomy bass to contend with. Which means it's time to kill the speakers or my ears, whichever occurs first ;)

Great sound and quality print. Grab it will you can.

This release sounds amazing. Dead quit, flat vinyl. The mastering is great - great separation. I don’t understand people, who are complaining about this “cheap” reissue. It’s about the music, isn’t it? I am very happy to finally have this iconic album in my vinyl collection.

There is also a promo version of this, I own it. There is a red sticker with white font over the red, explaining in Japanese, that it is a promo, which covers the barcode on the back.

Cheap-ass release, made for money!!! I've got reissues that sound waaaaay better!!!

My favourite Paradise Lost album. I believe this is a enhanced versión of Icon, which I enjoy but I never seen it as a masterpiece