It's not like he insults people that likes what he doesn't like. At least I don't remember seeing it. Plus Ronnie Radke is suing him. Seems like Ronnie got a good bit of fans on his side as well as people that hate Fantano
we often have differences in opinion, but I've always found his reviews to be intelligent, articulate, and well-supported, so I respect him as a professional and I find his opinions worth listening to even if I don't share them.
I wasn't aware that too many of them did, although I suppose that makes sense. People are often quick to disagree vehemently with someone who doesn't like a thing they like. I've watched Fantano only casually over the years and
01. Darker Thoughts 02. Fall From Grace 03. Ghosts 04. The Devil Embraced 05. Forsaken 06. Serenity 07. Ending Days 08. Hope Dies Young 09. Ravenghast 10. Hear The Night [digipak bonus] 11. Defiler [digipak bonus]
I cannot be very objective with Paradise Lost. It's not just the fact that I grew up with their records, but also that they themselves grew up digging the same music that I did when I was younger.
I am going to throw this out there and this may seem shocking to some, but I find it very hard to look for an album that I really love from Paradise Lost. I've always had more admiration for their death-doom era in which they not only pioneered but also became the pioneers of gothic metal with their second album Gothic. Even with Draconian Times, I don't necessarily like every song off that album and have my share of criticisms about the album, which is odd. There's no doubt that album is one of the most influential gothic metal albums, but I expected something phenomenal. Then I listen to an album like Obsidian where I finally say to myself: "Finally, a Paradise Lost album that I love inside and out."
After disco era when band went to roots, band every album is diferent but true metal vibe, there are doom and gothic
I like here 3 mix of vocals clean, a bit hasrher and harsher small parts
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I stand whit Ukraine and Israel. They have right to defend own citizens.
Stormtroopers of Death - "Speak English or Die"
I better die, because I never will learn speek english, so I choose dieing
A heads-up to say that we're excited to announce a special album show where we will perform OBSIDIAN in its entirely - for one time only - at The Warehouse Leeds on Thu 17th Sep
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I stand whit Ukraine and Israel. They have right to defend own citizens.
Stormtroopers of Death - "Speak English or Die"
I better die, because I never will learn speek english, so I choose dieing
Not as strong as Medusa (although a bit more variety here), but it's still pretty incredible. Second half is sadly a bit lackluster in some tracks, but the first half is just pure yoy.
Fall from grace is the best track by miles, really amazing song holy shit
I was really impressed on the first listen, I think they nailed the atmosphere with the guitars and keys on this one. For me it's one of their strongest releases and my current AOTY
At first I liked much more than "Medusa", just as this is very linear "Obsidian" is much more original and uniform, when a record starts very well and ends very well it cannot be bad, there is even room for a song "Forsaken" which could well be in "Host" or "One Second" removing the guitars. As for Holmes except in this last track in "Ghosts", "Ending Days", Mackintosh's solo and the melancholy it conveys reminds me of "Forever Failure", a great song, and in "Hope Dies Young", gothic rock from the 80s, in all the others he combines gutturals with a clean voice (but they are not always the same), Holmes does an excellent job on "Obsidian", using voice types masterfully.
Topics to highlight for me, within the set that the level is high, are very top "Darker Thoughts", the best song composed to start an album from "Enchantment", "Fall From Grace", "The Evil Embraced", "Serenity", an approach to melodic death very Be'lakor style, "Ravenghast" and a pleasant surprise in the form of a bonus "Hear The Night", it could well be within the main themes, even in the "Gothic", they delight those of us who are fans of the most doom/death part of their discography.
Throughout the album, generally, Mackintosh's work is BRUTAL, very melodic songs and very catchy choruses.
"Obsidian" has the elegance of "Draconian Times", the darkness of "Gothic", the melancholy of "Icon" all together with the fresh air of "One Second", a journey through the entire history of Paradise Lost.
For me a great album, it seems incredible that with everything they have recorded in 30 years they continue to release material of this level ...
With most Paradise Lost albums its always hit or miss with me especially with the albums "The Plague Within" and Medusa," but I have to say this is up there with "Draconian Times" this album sounds amazing. It definitely has the "Draconian Times" vibes but with added death-doom elements. I feel like this is a proper Paradise Lost album now.
Gothic metal is towards the bottom of my list of preferred subgenres, but this is one of the most compelling examples of it I've heard in quite a while. Paradise Lost have been on a good run for a few albums, but this might be the best of the bunch. Admittedly I find the death/doom cuts a bit less compelling, which might be why I prefer this to say Medusa
To me more i listen more weird it is and I still like it, seems band tries put gotgic sound into death doom or death doom sound in gothic , its as it sounds to me, its hard to judge this album, sad but true, its good but hard to judge. I wish Nck would write more longer and complicated lyrics
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I stand whit Ukraine and Israel. They have right to defend own citizens.
Stormtroopers of Death - "Speak English or Die"
I better die, because I never will learn speek english, so I choose dieing
Meh, Expected something more different, especially after the interview with "eclecticism" and "80s goth" influnences. Good album but nothing more than that for me.
Meh, Expected something more different, especially after the interview with "eclecticism" and "80s goth" influnences. Good album but nothing more than that for me.
Certainly not more than good for me either (after two spins). But "good" is more than I expected here.
"Ghosts", "Forsaken" and "Hope Dies Young" bring back great memories of the stage "One Second", "Symbol of Life" and "In Requiem" give meaning to what PL looks for in "Obsidian"
"Ending Days" is one of the saddest and most beautiful songs created by PL in many years, the atmosphere and the great solo of Greg, undoubtedly reminds of the "Draconian Times"
Although they are not my favorite songs from "Obsidian", it is indisputable to praise their quality.
The bonus tracks are among the ones I have enjoyed the most
Holy sh*t this is a good album! I basically like all the tracks on this album.
Honestly, it's hard to pick a favourite song on this record. The three opening tracks are fantastic. "Serenity" is great as well. And I absolutely love "Hope Dies Young".
This is definitely going to be a contender for my AOTY.
You will not be disappointed. This album is quality stuff.
I felt the album lost a bit of quality towards the end, it starts out almost in 10/10 territory. Overall though, I wasn't disappointed. A great album indeed. I actually enjoyed this ten times more than Draconian Times.
I felt the album lost a bit of quality towards the end, it starts out almost in 10/10 territory. Overall though, I wasn't disappointed. A great album indeed. I actually enjoyed this ten times more than Draconian Times.
The first three tracks are the best 1,2,3 PL have ever had in an album.
Give some time to Draconian Times. Initially, I was also a bit disappointed when it came out, same with Gothic. Now they are both among my favourite albums by the band.
Give some time to Draconian Times. Initially, I was also a bit disappointed when it came out, same with Gothic. Now they are both among my favourite albums by the band.
I'll most likely give all PL albums a chance or two or even three, including Draconian Times. I've had experiences where I went from "meh" to "it's awesome" before. Most notably with Opeth. Opeth are in my top 5 favorite bands of all time, possibly top 3 and I actually didn't care for them initially. I'd say PL have earned many chances based on this album alone. The first three tracks from Obsidian are indeed absolute gold.
Still digging in... At the first listen the album didn't impress me that much, but the first 3 songs are damn good. Haven't listened much further than this yet...