Paradise Lost

Paradise Lost are a British metal band from Halifax, formed in 1988 and active from 1988 to the present. They are regarded as pioneers of death-doom and as a major influence on the later gothic metal movement. Their sound spans death metal, death-doom metal, doom metal, gothic metal, gothic rock and metal.

Early years and development

The band forms around singer Nick Holmes, guitarists Greg Mackintosh and Aaron Aedy, and bassist Steve Edmondson. Holmes and Mackintosh serve as the main songwriters. Over time the drummer position changes several times, with Matthew Archer, Lee Morris, Jeff Singer, Adrian Erlandsson, Waltteri Väyrynen and Guido Zima all listed among members.

After forming, the group records three cassette demos: Paradise Lost, Frozen Illusion and Plains of Desolation. They sign to Peaceville Records in 1989.

Albums and stylistic change

The debut album Lost Paradise is recorded at Academy Music Studio in December 1989 and released in 1990. The second album, Gothic, follows in 1991 and introduces keyboards and female vocal accompaniments. It is widely associated with the creation of gothic metal.

After leaving Peaceville, the band signs to Music for Nations and releases Shades of God in 1992. That album adds softer passages and acoustic guitar, while reducing Nick Holmes’s death growls. As I Die is released as a single and EP. Icon follows in 1993 and moves further away from doom metal, with Holmes adopting a vocal style described as similar to James Hetfield.

Draconian Times in 1995 becomes their most commercially successful album at that point, reaching the Top 20 in several countries. After extensive touring, the band explores synth-pop and electronica on One Second in 1997, especially on the single Say Just Words. Host (1999) and Believe in Nothing (2001) continue that electronic direction, although Believe in Nothing is recorded under label pressure.

In 2002 the group signs to GUN Records and releases Symbol of Life, which brings back heavier elements. Paradise Lost follows in 2005, then In Requiem in 2007 on Century Media, returning to a heavier gothic metal style. Later releases include Faith Divides Us - Death Unites Us (2009), Tragic Idol (2012), Tragic Illusion 25 (2013), The Plague Within (2015), Medusa (2017) and Obsidian (2020).

Line-up changes and later work

Original drummer Matthew Archer leaves in 1994 and is replaced by Lee Morris. Morris leaves in 2004 and Jeff Singer joins. Singer leaves in 2008 and is replaced temporarily by Mark Heron, before Adrian Erlandsson joins later. Live performances and tours continue alongside the releases, with lineup changes as needed.

Influence and recognition

Paradise Lost are cited as an influence by My Dying Bride, Anathema, The Gathering, Amorphis, Cradle of Filth, Katatonia, Moonspell, Lacuna Coil, HIM and Nightwish, and some of these bands also cover their material. By 2005, the band has sold over two million albums worldwide.

The band cites influences including Black Sabbath, Dead Can Dance, Iron Maiden, Metallica, Tony Iommi, Jimi Hendrix, Sisters of Mercy, Siouxsie and the Banshees, and The Cure.

Labels

Across their career, Paradise Lost release material through Peaceville Records, Music for Nations, EMI Electrola GmbH, EMI, GUN Records, Century Media and Nuclear Blast.