REVIEW: PARADISE LOST - BELIEVE IN NOTHING

 

PARADISE LOST - BELIEVE IN NOTHING (EMI, 2001):

Track List: 1- I am Nothing, 2- Mouth, 3- Fader, 4- Look At Me Now, 5- Illumination, 6- Something Real, 7- Divided, 8- Sell It to the World, 9- Never Again, 10- Control, 11- No Reason, 12- World Pretending

I must admit that Paradise Lost is one of my favorite bands (if not my favorite) and I always have a big expectation on what movement they are doing next (they are always a surprise changing record after record). I must admit that even if I liked "Host" it was my least favorite recording from the band. I thought that one of then elements that made Paradise Lost so special as it was the combination of melodies with heavy guitars was gone. But I was completely wrong and here they are again. Crushing you since the beginning of "I am Nothing" here Aaron Aedy and Gregor Mackintosh have found again their sound (check for example "Sell It to the World"). Sounding like a mix of "One Second" and "Host", "Believe In Nothing" is one of the best recordings of the year. One thing that I always admired from Paradise Lost is how Nick Holmes vocals get better on each recording, and here is no exception, he is singing on top of the possibilities with his amazingly personal voice. While the songs are not like the ones in albums like "Shades of God", "Icon" or "Draconian Times", they are the perfect blend of heaviness and gothic flavors. Favorite tracks: All the album.