Paradise Lost are a
metal band formed in
1988 in
Halifax,
England. While the band's earlier albums are classified as
death/doom metal, they later began to incorporate several different styles of rock into their recordings and are now mainly considered a
gothic metal band.
Along with countrymates Anathema and My Dying Bride, Paradise Lost are credited with creating the subgenre known as Death/Doom.[citation needed] Their first three full-length albums (although the latter two incorporated some melodic and gothic elements) are considered prime examples of this style.[weasel&_160;words] However, with the release of the seminal albums Icon (1993) and Draconian Times (1995), Paradise Lost also became known as pioneers of the Gothic metal subgenre.[1] In accordance with the change in musical approach, vocalist Nick Holmes changed his singing style. He used a death grunt on the band's first three albums, but on Icon refined his voice to have a cleaner tone. Later (circa 1997), the band began experimenting with electronic styles but after four albums reverted again to Gothic metal.
They have been more popular in mainland Europe than in their own country; particularly in Greece and Germany they are regarded as mainstream rock stars.[weasel&_160;words] Their line-up has remained remarkably stable for such 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, the band has only changed drummers, with original member Matthew Archer replaced in 1994 by ex-Marshall Law drummer Lee Morris In March 2004, Morris also left the band; 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 "[Singer] had a pink drumkit".[2]
Early on, Paradise Lost were inspired by Kreator, Celtic Frost, Candlemass, Death, Morbid Angel, and Repulsion.[3] Up to 1989, the band recorded demo cassettes, then signed with Peaceville Records for their first album (recorded at The Academy), Lost Paradise.[4] Their debut was well received by press and fans alike.[3] In November 1990, Paradise Lost went back to The Academy to work on the second album. 1991's Gothic (also on Peaceville) was the band's stylistic breakthrough,[5] eventually becoming an influential album within the extreme metal circles. The album was labeled a "classic" and was rated highly by both fans and critics.[6] The album expanded beyond the original Death/Doom format by being more melodic and featuring symphonic orchestra and female vocals by Sarah Marrion.[4][7] With this album the band pushed "gothic" into the metal scene and started a new genre - gothic metal. Paradise Lost was signed to the Music for Nations label, and in July 1992 released Shades Of God.[5] The album contained the song "As I Die," later released as a single/EP, now the hymn for Paradise Lost fans.[8]. 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 German charts at number 31[4], and is considered a gothic metal masterpiece. It solidified the band's position in the mainstream metal scene.[6] Draconian Times, one of the band's most successful albums[8] came in June 1995; a limited edition digipack offered a second disc, dubbed "Live Tracks, Demos & B-Sides," with five live recordings as well as demos and outtakes. To promote the album, Paradise Lost went on a huge tour through Europe, South America, Australia, and Japan.[7]
