So far I keep wondering what'll come next - they created the whole subgenre with their classic "Gothic", then went for more metal-like models such as my favorite "Icon" and especially "Draconian Times", followed by the experimental post dark wave/punk wannabe sound of "One Second", after which in some way they tried to get back to their roots and the original Paradise Lost music. Anyway, "Faith Divides Us, Death Divides Us" sounds like the heaviest record they've released since the time of "Shades Of God" and I highly respect that! Having in mind that the mentioned album dates some 17 years back in time really does the trick for me. As if following the principles they relied on back then, the new record lacks keyboard presence, which was dominative to the year of 1992 and then they cut it off completely. But that's not the only criteria through which I dare compare the albums - "The Rise Of Denial" strongly reminds me of the technological approach they used in songs as "As I Die" and "Pity The Sadness", for example.

The comparison is mostly conditional, of course - in vocal terms the aggressive/melodic (divided on 50/50) lines of Nick's voice, the whole compositional structure of the record and the atmosphere often remind me of their latest works, which I also adore thus I don't have anything in mind. They were innovative when needed, and I respect they still keep such a high standard. Two years ago many fans depicted "In Requiem" as a blood relative to "Draconian Times" and "Icon" (?!?). Is it really worth the question "where will that lead to"? "Gothic" and "Lost Paradise"? I doubt the creative core in Paradise Lost sees things through that particular artistic prism.

Not lacking the epic touch (which back then was precicely in the guitar harmonies and riff progression approach), the new album of the gothic metal godfathers concentrates on songs such as "I Remain", "Living With Scars" and "Universal Dream" - tracks that are filled up with riffs ar maximum, while the post-apocalyptic "In Truth" brings in some cold chills for a change. It's clear the band tried to get some more fresh and more free, yet heavy sound, which they were influenced by even before starting the Paradise Lost dream; Jens Borgen really did a wonderful job - the sound really IS heavy, but in no means compressed as if for example in the American tradition. Also I keep being fascinated by all these hidden little details - "The Rise Of Denial" starts with some gregorian choirs, while in the chorus Nick sounds as if he's in his James Hetfield influenced mood again. Anyway, the voices in the beginning of the song are actually taken from an authentic recording of novices in a Sicilian monastery, originally dating 80 years ago. In "As Horizons End" there are even more choir elements, recorded in an English church and are even older. There are many examples like these, one just has to listen and do a little research, it seems - the album sure provoked me to do it, and that's one of the things I respect in music (of any kind) at most.

Finally, it's really hard to distinct highlights. At first I was stuck with the deep melody in "As Horizons End" and the contrast in "Faith Divides Us - Death Unites Us", but then the album unfolded itself really fast and won me over. The dramatic mood of "First Light" seems to be the little personal curse for me in this case, followed by "I Remain", "Living With Scars" and "The Rise Of Denial". When I first played "Sons Of Perdition", on the other hand, I thought I've changed the song with a Black Sabbath track, because the opening riff is some 100% Sabbath influenced. Since I admire both bands, that doesn't seem to be any problem.

10/10 from me and thousands of THANKS. I'm looking forward to seeing them live after a month or so, when they'll play the new songs too and I'll probably be out of space for a long time.