CD Review: Paradise Lost – “Faith Divides Us – Death Unites Us”

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CD Review

This review was originally written by Jose Bernardo for www.theweeklyriff.com between 2008 and 2010.

These were Jose’s first impressions of the songs and were not written after multiple spins.

Artist : Paradise Lost
Album : Faith Divides Us – Death Unites Us (2009 Century Media Records)
Tracks : 10

Artist website : http://www.paradiselost.co.uk/

OVERVIEW

This is Paradise Lost’s 12th studio album in a career spanning over two decades. They are commonly regarded as a gothic metal band. They are not symphonic in sound but have a very nice dynamics. It’s not all chug-chug-riff-riff nor is it operatic. The music is very heavy and at times overly gloomy in my opinion.

The instrumental performances are generally good. The vocals are not really my cup of tea, but they’re not bad. The average track length is 4 minutes and 35 seconds. The longest track is the opening track.

Overall, an interesting listen. Not my cup of tea, but not unbearable.

HIGHLIGHTS : 

I Remain, The Rise of Denial, Universal Dream

PLAY BY PLAY

Track 1 – As Horizons End
Interesting choice for an opening track. It’s kind of mellow and not uptempo. It’s definitely heavy, so it’s not lacking in that regards.

Track 2 –  I Remain
This one felt more like a track that should have opened the album. There is a better energy on this track. 

Track 3 – First Light
Cool track. 

Track 4 – Frailty
Heavy. Almost wall-of-sound-ish. Not very dynamic. Cool track though. 

Track 5 – Faith Divides Us – Death Unites Us
Very heavy. Interesting track. 

Track 6 – The Rise of Denial
Cool track. 

Track 7 – Living With Scars
Interesting track. Quite buzzy. I couldn’t really connect with this one.

Track 8 – Last Regret
This one’s the ballad on the album. (Or as close to a ballad as one will get in this genre.) A mellow melodic song that still remains heavy. 

Track 9 – Universal Dream
This is perhaps my favorite track on the whole album. I really dug this!

Track 10 – In Truth
I couldn’t really get into this track. Very boomy and mellow. 

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Posted in CD Reviews, The Weekly Riff (2008-2010) Reprinted.