Paradise Lost are a Heavy metal band formed in 1988 in Halifax, England.

Overview

Along with countrymates Anathema and My Dying Bride, Paradise Lost are credited for creating the subgenre known as Death/Doom. Their first three full-length albums (although the latter two incorporated some melodic and gothic elements) are considered as prime examples of this style. However, with the release of the seminal albums Icon(1993) and Draconian Times(1995), Paradise Lost became known as pioneers, and many people still consider them as true innovators of the Gothic metal subgenre. In accordance with the change in musical approach, vocalist Nick Holmes also changed his singing style. He used a death grunt on the band's first three albums; However, upon the release of Icon, he refined his voice to a cleaner tone. Later (circa 1997), the band began experimenting with electronic styles but after four albums reverted their style back to Gothic metal once again.

While less so in their home country, they have been extremely popular in mainland Europe for many years, particularly in Greece and Germany, where they are regarded as mainstream rock stars. Paradise Lost's line-up has remained remarkably consistent as a long-standing heavy metal band, consisting of singer Nick Holmes, guitarists Greg Mackintosh and Aaron Aedy, and bassist Steve Edmondson. Holmes and Mackintosh are the principal composers, with almost all of the band's songs credited to them. During the years, only the band's drumming position has changed, with original sticks man Matthew Archer leaving in 1994 to be replaced by ex-Marshall Law drummer Lee Morris although in March 2004, Morris also left the band. Drummer Jeff Singer took Morris' place and has played on all subsequent releases, though he was not listed as a permanent band member until the release of the single The Enemy in 2007. In a recent video interview, Mackintosh and Holmes revealed that Singer had already auditioned for the band when Archer left, but they chose Morris instead because "[Jeff] had a pink drumkit".

Early Years

Paradise Lost were early on inspired by Kreator, Celtic Frost, Candlemass, Death, Morbid Angel and Repulsion.

Up to 1989, the band recorded demo cassettes. Then they made a contract with Peaceville Records for producing their first album Lost Paradise. Their debut was well received by press and fans alike. In November 1990, Paradise Lost went back to Academy Studios, to work on the second album. 1991's Gothic (also on Peaceville Records) was the band's first success and one of the most influential albums within the scene. The album was labeled a "classic" and was rated highly by both fans and critics. The album expanded beyond the traditional Death/Doom format, being more melodic, featuring symphonic orchestra and female vocals by the singer Sarah Marrion. With this album the band pushed the term "gothic" into the metal scene and started a new wave of gothic metal. Paradise Lost was signed to the Music for Nations label, and returned in 1992 releasing the album Shades Of God in July.The album contained the song "As I Die", later released as a single/EP, which is also known as the hymn for Paradise Lost fans.. In summer 1993, the band commenced work on their fourth full-length record - Icon which was released on September in the same year.The album hit the national German charts at number 31. It's considered as a gothic metal masterpiece and solidified the band's position in the mainstream metal scene. Draconian Times, one of the band's most successful albums arrived in June 1995. A limited edition digipack offered a second disc dubbed 'Live Tracks, Demos & B-Sides', comprising five live recordings as well as demos and outtakes. In order to promote the album, Paradise Lost went on a huge tour through the continents of Europe, South America, Australia, and played in Japan as well.

Synth Era

Paradise Lost returned in 1997 with a completely new look and a different music style, astounding both the fans and critics. On the album One Second (1997), which was distributed by hip hop label Jive Records, the band began to experiment with Depeche Mode-esque synth pop and electronica. The album turned out to be one of the band's most important releases, cracking the national German and Swedish top ten charts and giving the band a boost in popularity everywhere it seemed except the UK. Although some of the older fans of the band were disappointed, Paradise Lost gained many new supporters. The band later contracted EMI Electrola in Germany to produce its next album - Host, released in 1999. On the album, Paradise Lost continued to further experiment with new sounds and totally losing their metal roots. On the next album, Believe in Nothing (2001), Paradise Lost continued the synth direction however adding Rock elements to the music. On May 2002, the band signed to G.U.N records. On the full-length that followed, Symbol of Life, the metallic roots of the band began to resurface.

Present Day

Paradise Lost released their 10th, eponymous album in 2005 on G.U.N. records. The electronic side of the music was still slightly present, although the band leaned much more towards the guitar-based sound. The album began the phase of returning to the gothic metal roots. The eleventh album, In Requiem was released in Spring 2007 on the label Century Media The album was generally well-accepted and highly rated by both critics and fans, pleased to see the band returning to their heavier, gothic metal sound similar to that of earlier albums like Draconian Times. The album also won "The Best Gothic Metal album" from "Metal Storm Awards 2007 The full-length was followed by a single, The Enemy.

On November 26th, 2007 Century Media released the documentary "Over The Madness" displaying the impact Paradise Lost has had on Gothic metal and giving an insight into the mindset and workings of Paradise Lost. Disc 2 includes further interviews, rehearsal footage plus backstage and memorabilia sections.

Having supported the Finnish Symphonic metal band Nightwish in North America, Paradise Lost will return to Europe in December, with support from Novembre, Godsplague and Swallow The Sun, later supporting Finnish Rockers HIM.

On August 13, 2008, drummer Jeff Singer announced on the Paradise Lost official website his departure from the band. His reasons were because he wanted to be with his family, he had an upcoming job, and that the then-upcoming South American tour would interfere with that. As a result, Paradise Lost had to cancel the South American tour dates that they had planned.

On August 28, 2008, the Paradise Lost official website announced that the cancelled South American tour has been reconfirmed and that they will tour it as Mark Heron from Oceansize will take care of the drums' duties after Jeff Singer's departure.

Members

Current members

• Nick Holmes - vocals
• Greg Mackintosh - Lead Guitar
• Aaron Aedy - Rhythm Guitar
• Steve Edmondson - Bass Guitar
• Mark Heron - drums (live performances)

Former members

• Matthew Archer – drums (1988-1994) (became of VJ for Euro-MTV)
• Lee Morris - drums (1994-2004) (ex-Marshall Law, ten)
• Jeff Singer - Drums (2004-2008) (ex-China Beach, ex-Kill II This, ex-Blaze (UK), City of God)

Discography

Studio albums

• Lost Paradise (1990)
• Gothic (1991)
• Shades of God (1992)
• Icon (1993)
• Draconian Times (1995)
• One Second (1997)
• Host (1999)
• Believe in Nothing (2001)
• Symbol of Life (2002)
• Paradise Lost (2005)
• In Requiem (2007)

References

External links

• Official site
• MySpace
• Interview with Aaron Aedy at Komodo Rock