Band:	Paradise Lost
Album:	Draconian Times
Style:	Doom metal, Gothic metal
Release date:	June 12, 1995
Guest review by:	Gorey

Disc I
01. Enchantment
02. Hallowed Land
03. The Last Time
04. Forever Failure
05. Once Solemn
06. Shadowkings
07. Elusive Cure
08. Yearn For Change
09. Shades Of God
10. Hands Of Reason
11. I See Your Face
12. Jaded
13. Walk Away [The Sisters Of Mercy cover] [bonus]
14. Laid to Waste [bonus]
15. Master of Misrule [bonus]
16. How Soon Is Now [2002 Re-release bonus]
17. Fear [2002 Re-release bonus]

Disc II Limited Edition Commemorative Tour Pack
01. Embers Fire [live]
02. Daylight Torn [live]
03. True Belief [live]
04. Pity The Sadness [live]
05. As I Die [live]
06. Weeping Words [demo]
07. The Last Time [demo]
08. Walk Away [The Sisters Of Mercy cover]
09. Laid To Waste
10. Master Of Misrule
11. Forever Failure [Video edit version]

Draconian Times (2011 Legacy Edition)
Disc I
01. Enchantment
02. Hallowed Land
03. The Last Time
04. Forever Failure
05. Once Solemn
06. Shadowkings
07. Elusive Cure
08. Yearn For Change
09. Shades Of God
10. Hands Of Reason
11. I See Your Face
12. Jaded
13. Enchantment [demo] [bonus]
14. Last Desire [demo] [bonus]
15. Forever Failure [bonus]
16. Shadowkings [bonus]
17. Once Solemn [bonus]
18. Hallowed Land [bonus]
19. The Last Time [bonus]

Disc II DVD
01. ''Draconian Times'' in 5.1 Mix
+ Forever Failure [video]
+ The Last Time [video]
+ Hallowed Land [video]
+ 16 pages booklet including liner notes from the band and exclusive new artwork [Regular jewel case version]
+ 36 pages booklet including liner notes from the band and exclusive new artwork [A5 digibook version]

For a few years, the "happy folks" of Paradise Lost were used to making excellent albums such as Shades Of God or Icon, but nothing could really prepare us to this nuclear bomb, Draconian Times. This album, released in 1995, is, more than a confirmation, a real coup d?etat in the metal world: every listening, every note is a perpetual rediscovery. Tracks like 'Hallowed Land', 'Elusive Cure' or 'Forever Failure' exhale such beauty that there are no exact words to describe the emotion they make us feel.

The first track 'Enchantment' is representative of the atmosphere of the whole album, with mourning vocals following an slow and languorous intro. Then we could think that this album is only the weeping reflection of five sad clowns with on originality. Fuck it! The pair Holmes/Mackintosh shows a great ability for lyrical creation with varied and well written songs. So we can pass from a catchy and speed track to a darker atmosphere with 'Shadowkings', that has an efficent and excellent intro. 'Elusive Cure' and 'I See Your Face' are two quite similar tracks that immerge us in a fascinating and tripping atmosphere never heard before. Nick Holmes proves him excellent, he tries obscure tunes that strengthen the dark and frightening side of these tracks.
Then come 'Hallowed Land' and the wonderful 'Yearn For Change' in which the guitars have the lion's share. Greg Mackintosh shows all his abilities on the staggering solo of 'Hallowed Land', and meanwhile he brings us to our knees with the heavy riff of 'Yearn For Change' that is maybe the highlight of the album. 'Shades of God' and 'Jaded', even if they are a bit more classic, have a certain aura. 'Hands of Reason' is in the slow and heavy mood of the whole album. It also must be noticed that the songs are perfectly linked to each other, like the cool passage from 'Hallowed land' to 'The Last Time'. This last song, the single of Draconian Times, is the perfect summary of the album, with a strong rhythm, and a solo absolutely not boring. Finally, 'Forever Failure' is the dark power-ballad with Nick Holmes giving all the tragic mood to this track, that is at the same time desperate and really really dark. The final solo is a work of art enhanced by a keyboard.

There is nothing more to say, only that lyrism has never been used with such ability, mixing poetry and gothic atmospheres. Actually, Draconian Times is a diamond, listen to it and fly high... But take care not to fall down into depression. I?ve met perfection, and down there it's called Draconian Times.