PARADISE LOST

Obsidian

NUCLEAR BLAST

The kings of misery break out the black eyeliner

OVER THE PAST 32 years, Paradise Lost have never confined themselves to one genre or mode of expression while keeping their own distinctively morose identity the entire time. Whether they’re playing death metal or synth pop, the Yorkshire legends have somehow always sounded unmistakably like themselves. After 2015’s The Plague Within and 2017’s Medusa signalled a return to their heavier, doomier roots, it’s no surprise that Obsidian is something of a reinvention, upping their sumptuously dark melodicism and emphasising the contrast between the band’s more subtle, introspective moments and their aforementioned heavier side.

and the elegant , with their glistening, sinister keys, bold yet moribund stomp and Nick Holmes’ mournful baritone croon, are bona fide goth bangers, convincingly – a prime deathly dirge complete with gruff death growls. Songs like opener offer the best of both worlds, contrasting sombre acoustic guitars and subtle orchestral elements with huge slabs of thick, distorted gloom. Guitarist Gregor Mackintosh is in his element here too, with his leads sounding fluid, melodic and spine-tinglingly expressive throughout.