"Their second and by far their best album, "Gothic" combines the brutal doom/death approach of their debut with beautiful melodies and the occasional orchestra and female vocals. Probably the first to do so and certainly the best, this album created an entire genre. (Although present day "gothic metal" has nothing to do with this dark masterpiece). Beautiful guitar melodies and awesome grunting by Mr. Nick Holmes, the best grunt ever in my opinion. An album with no weak moments and many classics like "Shattered", "Rapture", "Eternal", "The Painless" and off course the title track. Present day Paradise Lost sucks pretty bad I admit, but on this album they were certainly for real! Poser Marilyn Manson goths of today, please stay away from this album 'cause it was not created for you and you couldn't handle it! For true metalheads though this is the ultimate doom/death album."
Influential and awsome
Xander Xavier Xymox | Frederick Co :( | 05/27/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Wow I cant believe this masterpiece has only two reviews. I bought this cd a long time ago because I was a major fan of Cradle of Filth, and Dani said in an interview that this was one of his favorite cds. I didnt take to this cd immediatly, but years later this is just awsome. I find the guitars on this cd just immaculate. Another reviewer complained of the drumming. It isnt the strongpoint of this cd, but it hardly ruins it. The sound has a doom, gothic sound but mixed with metallica. At least thats my opinion.
Gothic 10 Excellent guitar throughout this one. Towards the end you have some nice keyboards. This is primarily a guitar song. This is also one of the few songs on the cd that has female vocals. They are not overbearing like some bands are. They are just right.
Dead Emotion 9 A bit heavier than the last one. Lots of good growls. The guitars are a mix of choppy riffs and spiraling solos.
Shattered 8 It might be a little repetitive at points but dont mistake repetitive for boring. It sounds so good you wont care.
Rapture 9 Not really much I can say to describe this except that it is really good. A bit darker than the first three.
Eternal 10 This is the classic paradice lost song to me. Too good for words. Definantly my favorite.
Falling Forever 7.5-8 I wouldnt really say that any songs on here are weak, but if I had to pick a weak song this would probably be one of them. Still hardly a bad song.
Angel Tears 6 I really dont know why they put this on the cd. Its just a couple minutes of guitar. The guitar is good but they should have just made it into a song.
Silent 7.5 This one has really good guitars, but it kind of just goes on too long.
Painless 9 After a few letdowns if that what you want to call them. This song gets back on track with one of the best songs on the cd.
Desolate 8 Very dark instrumental. Brooding doom. Sounds like a horror film.
Rotting Misery [Doom Dub] [*][Dub] 10 My second favorite after eternal. The riffs are just bad a$$, and there is a lot of good keys too. Brooding and dark.
Breeding Fear [Demolition Dub] [*][Dub] 8.5 This sounds very death metal oriented which is out of character for the rest of the cd. Very good.
So if you are into gothic or doom metal like My Dying Bride, Tristania, or Cradle of filth. Or if you are just a metal head you definantly need this one in your collection.
"
PERFECTION!!!!!!UNMATCHED!!!
INFESTER | Not Germany circa 1930's! | 10/12/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This was made in 91'!
PARADISE LOST follow up ''LOST PARADISE'' with an almost better album!!
This is my fave LEAD record ever..the solo's on this are the most beautiful thing I have ever heard! NOTHING COME's close and never will!! ALL HAIL MACKINTOSH!!
10 song's ..each one is amazing!!! ''THE PAINLESS'' though is something that is above average..most DEPRESSING THING I HAVE EVER HEARD!!
I must have listened to this about a million time's by now!!
ONE OF MY FAVE ALBUM's EVER!!!!!!! KILL YOUR SELF..LIFE IS PAIN!!
JUST SUCH BEAUTY THAT IT IS A SHAME NOTHING CAN EVER MATCH IT!!!! ONE OF THE BEST EVER!!!
''REACH THE SKY NOT FALLING DOWN
SUN LIGHT SHINE's IN HEAVEN
STRAY FROM THIS TRANQUIL PLACE
GUARDED BY ALL FEAR's!!!''-THE PAINLESS"
Masterpiece
j00t2000 | 03/21/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"They may not have been the British doom pioneers, but Paradise Lost always knew what it was all about. This, their second album, had everything - melancholic, emotional sounds that, unlike many other Doom metal bands, actually have memorable tunes. The songs are also of a reasonable length, unlike My Dying Bride's 10+ minute epics. If you ever want just a single Doom metal album in your entire collection, get this - it's the only album I have ever given 10/10 for, and will probably remain so for a very long time... perhaps, it is the only perfect album to exist."