Paradise Lost - Ascension

I like the album art, but... anyone else feel like there's too much wasted space? the main illustration takes up like only 30% of the screen

Written by The Melting Snow on 07.06.2025 at 06:18

I like the album art, but... anyone else feel like there's too much wasted space? the main illustration takes up like only 30% of the screen

Felt similarly about the last Deadly Carnage. What is this, an album art for ants?

Written by The Melting Snow on 07.06.2025 at 06:18

I like the album art, but... anyone else feel like there's too much wasted space? the main illustration takes up like only 30% of the screen

Just as a cross does. Yet a powerful message.

What a song...Serpent on the cross... Brillant.

I am in heaven ... At least something as good as Icon. Masterclass ! Diluvium - even better then Serpent...

I am very happy. I really love the band, they are one of my favorites. They are the reason I really fell in love with metal music. I liked their softer, more electronic stuff too, but I was especially happy that they eventually returned to harder music.
Ascension, however, surprised me. I thought and hoped it would be good, but who would have thought it would be this great.

It's a 61-minute modern classic. The sound is brutal, consistent, yet varied, sometimes very dark, sometimes almost rock-like and "relaxed".
I pre-ordered it a while ago and added a T-shirt and a sweater to my order. I don't think I'll ever make a purchase like this again in my life. I had high expectations for this album, but it exceeded all of them.

There isn't a single song that I don't like, that doesn't grab me in some way. It's not just one or two songs that I want to listen to over and over again, but the whole album.
It's amazing that they are still creating music after so many years of activity, and there really aren't words to describe what we can hear here.

"Ascension" sums up almost 40 years and 17 albums where Paradise Lost has tried everything from death, doom, and even gothic metal. They are a band that never ceases to surprise and is in top form. The production and sound of this recording is outstanding. To highlight some songs: "Serpent On The Cross" (draconian epic song) "Salvation," and "The Precipice" (rawness and desperation that reminds me of early My Dying Bride), "Lay A Wreath Upon The World" and "Savage Days" (impeccable gothic rock), "Diluvium"(incredible change of pace from doom to heavy) "Sirens" (which has me mesmerized, perhaps the best song, I can't stop listening to it, a song with a rhythm at the beginning very much in the "Metallica" style until Greg takes out his guitar and breaks the whole song with terrifying force), "Deceivers" (old school gothic metal). Nick's vocal work and Greg's guitar work are absolutely insane. Just when you think Paradise Lost can't top themselves, they do 10/10.

Oh wow. This is the first Paradise Lost album that clicked with me, ever.

I just took a hit in the face. Paradise Lost is a band I enjoy a lot. Their most famous one Draconian Times has always had one of the best tracklist out there. But this is really something else, from top top finish I was completely under the charm of their music. This is probably m'y favorite from them. Definitely a big contender for AOTY.

Wow superb

This album feels like a compilation of their best moments . AOTY !!

Has some moments, but its not their heavier album, more gothic in principle as doom. I prefer yesterdays other doom legends album better.

It's undeniably a good album, I just expected it to hit me more emotionally tbh, maybe in time it will grow on me though. There's some real stand-out moments that I keep finding myself wanting to come back to, but at the same time there are songs I just don't find all that appealing. I like how they've incorporated their heavier death doom roots with their later gothic material, and in a way this has been a successful approach, similar to that of Obsidian I'd say, although I'm preferring that album to this overall so far.

It's a good album, no doubt about that, but for me it's far from their earlier material, the classics Gothic, Icon, and Draconian Times in particular. As I said though, it could be a grower in time.

These guys like time to time drop nuclear bomb. This is something !

Pretty enjoyable gothic doom with some death metal here and there. after a few listens Seprent on the Cross is the only standout song to me so far... but let's see what a few more listens does.

I generally get The Plague Within and Obsidian vibes from this and those are my 2 favorite albums by Paradies Lost.

my teeny tiny complaint will be the guitar tone for the solos. I don't think Greg has experimented much with that over the years. It's the same... same is ok. but it just generally lacks the overdrive that would let you get immersed in the solos, as good as they are technically.

Enjoyed obsidian and medusa a lot more but this is solid enough.

Amazing album, didn't expect to be so good. Strong contender as AOTY

In 2025, for a veteran band to create an album like this late in their career is admirable. But... well, I'm not trying to be special, but I still want to say this album doesn't reach the heights of their peak work, "Icon" and "Draconian Times." There's not much new here, and I only really got excited on a few songs, like "Serpent On The Cross," "Salvation," "Silence Like The Grave," and "Diluvium." Otherwise, I think it still has too much generic filler. I have to say, though, that the guitar solos on this album are really good.

Like a good wine, Paradise Lost age perfectly.

Solid album. Sounds to me like Faith Divides Us with a bit of Plague Within growling to up the aggression a bit. Consistently catchy and lush. Accessible in a non-embarrassing way. Melodramatic without being cheesy. Would be a good gateway album for someone wanting to get into metal.

ETA - I do wish that Greg's solos were a bit higher in the mix, and a bit less compressed. You can barely hear that crazy vibrato of his that kicks you in the gut with its weeping.

In a head-to-head with November's Doom, Major Arcana comes out on top. There just isn't any competition. The pupil has become the master.

HOWEVER: Paradise Lost still rips. The first 1/4 of this record soars, with this long time death-doom-gothic-industrial band showcasing how (and why) they are masters of their craft. The introduction of their more NWoBHM oriented tracks are a welcome flavor, as well. Once these come into play, the record seems to meander a bit, under confident in its direction.

Still, a great record and one to hear from 2025.

Just entered the top 200!

Written by Roman Doez on 23.09.2025 at 11:17

Just entered the top 200!

That's great news, would love to have some newer albums stick around the top 200

Written by IceBelowTHearth on 23.09.2025 at 12:40

That's great news, would love to have some newer albums stick around the top 200

Absolute Elswhere and Kinship were both there for a good while last year. Unfortunately it seems ratings have dropped a little to edge them out.

Written by Vellichor on 23.09.2025 at 12:55

Written by IceBelowTHearth on 23.09.2025 at 12:40

That's great news, would love to have some newer albums stick around the top 200

Absolute Elswhere and Kinship were both there for a good while last year. Unfortunately it seems ratings have dropped a little to edge them out.

Yeah, that usually happens. Hopefully things will be different this time

Wow, what a record!

This release is absolutely incredible. This is already two golden works this decade. The entire album is crafted with class and mastery. It blew my mind.

Written by The Melting Snow on 07.06.2025 at 06:18

I like the album art, but... anyone else feel like there's too much wasted space? the main illustration takes up like only 30% of the screen

The music is so so good that the album size art didn’t even come my mind until you said it. This album is something else. A masterpiece in my opinion. It has been a while since I listened to something in this genre so mind blowing.

Edit: no masterpiece. A very good album though.

Man, you guys really love this album... I wish I could share your enthusiasm.

For me there are some standout moments but overall I was a bit dissapointed. Some riffs and melodies are done before and some songs lack hooks. The production is super enjoyable though, heavy but clean.

Never ever disapoint. excelent art here.