Band:	Paradise Lost
Album:	Symbol Of Life
Style:	Gothic metal
Release date:	October 21, 2002
Guest review by:	Passenger

01. Isolate
02. Erased
03. Two Worlds
04. Pray Nightfall
05. Primal
06. Perfect Mask
07. Mystify
08. No Celebration
09. Self-Obsessed
10. Symbol Of Life
11. Channel For The Pain
12. Xavier [Dead Can Dance cover] [bonus]
13. Small Town Boy [Bronski Beat cover] [bonus]

Even though not many will agree with this statement, "Symbol Of Life" is, to me, Paradise Lost's best album. I could go back in their career and pick albums with distinct characteristics that do, most definitely, stand on their own as solid and original works, but that don't quite effectively transmit to me the sad atmosphere their simple song writing can bring as well as "Symbol Of Life" does. I won't say this one represents everything Paradise Lost has done in their career, because it doesn't, but it sure is their most varied and multi layered album - whether you like this sound or not is a different subject. The truth is that, even though it is also their heaviest album since "Draconian Times" (songs like "Two Worlds," "Self-Obsessed," or "Channel For The Pain" prove it), it is still very much dependent of the electronic influences and generally much mellower rockish style of "One Second" and "Host."

The problems with bands that try to blend a more alternative dimension with the primitive style they were first playing is that there tends to be out-of-place experimentalism and also they put the Metal part a bit on the side. While I don't think the first has ever happened with Paradise Lost, they have been taking the second close to borderline; and I can understand why they caused some negative impressions with their more die hard fans: they made a sudden departure from the heavy and rawer times of the early 90's. For this I think those albums were never appreciated to their full potential. "Symbol Of Life" may not be enough to put all the older fans listening to Paradise Lost again, but it may be enough to at least make some rediscover those albums.

On a technical level the performances are not very elaborated, but Nick Holmes good moment has to be mentioned. He's the best vocalist in the scene for many people, and that's no surprise, if you listen to this closely, he makes songs like "Pray Nightfall" or "Mystify" even more magical. He can sound sad even when he sings harsher, which is really difficult. The rest of the band gives what is required for this kind of music; it's mostly about creating the right atmosphere and they succeed. On top of everything the production is flawless and crystal clear.

"Symbol Of Life" is a very consistent album and all songs have something to offer to the listener. It's not the comeback some fans are anxious for (and that may never come?), it doesn't have the gloomy vibe they used to create, it's not particularly slow, it is still full of electronic ambience, but I think everyone will agree, though, that while the previous three records didn't stand a chance against "Gothic," "Draconian Times" and so on, this one does, and that's something to be pleased with.