Paradise Lost – Draconian Times

Prepare to bow down to a true metal titan: Paradise Lost’s “Draconian Times,” back from the shadows in a killer 25th Anniversary Edition! We’re talking double slabs of glorious vinyl, remastered to sonic perfection and pressed on a slick Blue Translucent (Transparent Electric) wax that looks as brooding as the music sounds.

This bad boy comes housed in a gatefold sleeve, so you know it’s a proper collector’s piece. Originally unleashed upon the world and then reborn on December 4th, 2020, courtesy of Music For Nations and Sony Music, this is essential listening for anyone with even a ing interest in the darker side of metal.

Paradise Lost, hailing from the misty lands of England, carved a unique path through the metal landscape, and “Draconian Times,” originally released in ’95, is arguably their magnum opus. This album perfectly encapsulates their signature blend of crushing Doom Metal and melancholic Gothic Metal. It’s heavy as hell, with riffs that could sink battleships, but it’s also laced with an undeniable beauty and a profound sense of sorrow. Nick Holmes’ vocals are iconic – a deep, resonant delivery that perfectly conveys the lyrical themes of despair, loss, and the bleakness of the human condition.

The “Draconian Times” songs are more than just metal anthems; they’re carefully crafted sonic tapestries. Tracks like “The Last Time,” “Forever Failure” and “Shadowkings” are timeless classics, showcasing the band’s ability to write powerful, emotionally charged music that sticks with you long after the final note fades. Gregor Mackintosh’s lead guitar work is both melodic and haunting, soaring over the crushing rhythm section laid down by Aaron Aedy, Stephen Edmondson, and the thunderous Lee Morris. This lineup was at its peak, creating a synergy that made “Draconian Times” the masterpiece it is.

This 25th Anniversary Edition has been lovingly remastered at Fascination Street Studios, ensuring that every nuance of the original recording shines through with newfound clarity and power.

The production by Simon Efemey, originally engineered and mixed by Pete Coleman, was already top-notch, but this remaster takes it to another level.

The artwork and design by Stylorouge, along with Holly Warburton’s illustrations and photography, perfectly complement the album’s atmosphere.

If you missed out on this landmark album the first time, or if your original vinyl looks a bit battle-scarred, now’s your chance to own this definitive edition.

This Mint condition, double blue translucent vinyl of Paradise Lost’s “Draconian Times” isn’t just an album; it’s an experience. Prepare to be immersed in darkness, beauty, and timeless metal mastery.

Don’t let this one slip through your fingers!

https://www.pulserecords.pt/product/paradise-lost-draconian-times-25th-vinyl/

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 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 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!!!