"This is like some other reviewer rightly said, the most overlooked metal album of the 90s. If you are one of those people (like me) lamenting the death of metal like the days of old Metallica, Megadeth etc, just pick this album up and you will know what I am talking about. Draconian Times really came during a draconian time for heavy metal and it filled such a big gap. With incredible ENCHANTMENT, the epic album begins and goes only from strength to strength. Hallowed Land, an superb song with chugging guitars of Aaron Aedy will smash you and so does Last Time and Once Solemn. If you hear Once Solemn with your eyes closed, you could really mistake it for old Metallica, the heavy thrashing guitars, excellent vocals, heavy drums etc. Shadow Kings, Elusive Cure, Shades of Gods all live up to the great titles. But the standout track of this album has to be FOREVER FAILURE...this is one of the best songs PL has ever written. You have to buy to CD to believe what I am saying. Even if you dont have any PL albums, this is a great way to start. It marks the progression of the band, which started as a death metal outfit, to what it eventually became. PL is the most underrated and highly talented band in the world. Every single work of this genius band is incredible and every single self-respecting metal fan should possess them...."
The ultimate dark metal album
shadowking | north bondi, nsw Australia | 01/01/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Draconian Times by Paradise Lost is one of the most powerfull dark-rock / metal albums around. There are many bands today who attempt dark metal and with mostly embarassing results. This album is an exception. Nick Holmes drives every word straight to the heart in a Hetfield like roar but at times he uses a low gothic voice. Guitarists Aaron Aedie and Greg Mackintosh play very powerfull simple riffs that dominate the album and the general atmosphere is very moody. Everything here is solid from start to end. Unfortunaltely Paradise Lost are not well known outside of Europe and this album did not get the exposure it deserves. I highly recommend this CD to anyone into hard rock, metal and quality music in general."
Amazing
Guitar Legend | Michigan | 03/02/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I'm a fan of most genres of rock, ranging from soft rock to death metal. And I can say one thing, and that is that I've never heard another album out there like this one. Draconian Times is probably one of the best rock albums I've ever had the opportunity to buy. This cd proves that you don't have to be the fastest and craziest musician to write a great song. I've owned Draconian Times for quite a while now and I still have not become sick of hearing it. If you want an album that will blow you away with originality, buy this cd."
A victory!!!
Ori Erez | Kibbutz Naan, Israel | 09/13/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I think I will start off by saying that this album is terrific. It is very very dark and melancholic and sounds best when rain lashes out of your window.
The albums starts with the amazing "Enchantment" and the powerful choir at the background that just like the title- puts a spell on you that doesn't wear off for hours and hours. After the dark "Enchantment" comes the faster "Hallowed Land"- and the album is already at it's peak. By the way, if you are not familiar with "Paradise Lost" than "Hallowed Land" is the right song for you to download and get to know this supreme band. Track number four ("Forever Failure") is the most depresing in the album and it deals with suiciding and feeling of total failure, it is also one of the few Paradise Lost songs that actually say something- and that is the downside of the album. Although the lyrics gives a great dark mood it doesn't mean anything at all (except for very few cases). But, all in all, the wonderful music makes up for the lack of lyrics and gives you one of my favourite albums of all time-DRACONIA TIMES."
Shrouded in Darkness
Christopher Fryer | United States | 12/05/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Draconian Times came out in 1995 and sold quite well in Europe thanks to magazines like Kerrang calling them the next Metallica. But unfortunately in the States they did not even crack the top 100 (compared to #16 in the UK). Compared to earlier albums their sound was more stripped down. Words like "dark", "heavy", and "sparse" come to mind when I think of Draconian Times. I love the contrast in many of the songs between a heavy guitar riff followed by a melody on piano or clean quitar. Nick Holmes also goes from Hetfield-like powerful vocals to softspoken words. I think about half the album is excellent and the other half is not bad. My favorites are Enchantment, Hallowed Land, The Last Time, Forever Failure, Elusive Cure, and Jaded. Paradise Lost's sound would continue to evolve going in a more techno direction much to the annoyance of many fans. Of the five albums I own I still think this is their best."