It?s a well-known fact that when Paradise Lost are heavy, life is just better. As the most commercially successful of the original Peaceville Three — the other two being My Dying Bride and Anathema — who came up in the UK and boldly changed the landscape of the metal underground with releases like 1991?s Gothic and 1992?s Shades of God, Paradise Lost have amassed a loyal following setting them apart from almost any other band. They?re gothic, but they?re death metal, they?re melodic, but their heaviness is unquestionable. For a while there they were even a disco band. On their new release, Faith Divides Us – Death Unites Us (Century Media), it?s abundantly clear they?re over that one.

If there are any resonant trademarks that have existed throughout the many phases and faces of Paradise Lost, they are result of the consistency of the players, who apart from new drummer Adrian Erlandsson (ex-At the Gates, The Haunted, Cradle of Filth, etc.) are the same today as they were in 1988. Happy to say the riffing of Gregor Mackintosh and Aaron Aedy brings serious metallic weight to tracks like opener ?As Horizons End? and the start-stop cadence of ?The Rise of Denial.? Erlandsson also turns in a remarkable performance on the latter, tapping his ride cymbal to lend the song an accent that blends well with Stephen Edmondson?s subtle bass work.

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