HomeParadise LostDraconian Times
Draconian Times
Metal · 1995 · 13 tracks

Draconian Times

Paradise Lost's fifth album delivers a potent blend of gothic atmosphere and doom metal weight. Expect melancholic riffs, brooding vocals, and polished, dense production.

June 7, 1995 · 666 Records (9)

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Draconian Times is the sound of encroaching twilight, a masterful fusion of gothic grandeur and doom metal weight that defined a subgenre in the mid-90s. From the moment the album begins, listeners are enveloped in a dense, melancholic atmosphere, rich with driving riffs, intricate lead melodies, and Nick Holmes' signature baritone vocals. It's an album that feels both expansive and deeply personal, painting sonic landscapes of urban decay and internal struggle with a polished yet somber brush. The production is crisp, allowing each layer, from the dual guitars to the subtle keyboards and powerful choral arrangements, to contribute to its overwhelming sense of dramatic tension.

Tracklist · 13 Tracks
01
Enchantment
6:05
04
Forever Failure
4:18
05
Once Solemn
3:04
06
Shadowkings
4:42
07
Elusive Cure
3:21
08
Yearn for Change
4:20
09
Shades of God
3:55
10
Hands of Reason
3:58
11
I See Your Face
3:17
12
Jaded
3:27
13
Walk Away
3:25
14
Laid to Waste
3:15
15
Master of Misrule
3:07
Moments Worth Listening For
The chilling, unexpected inclusion of Charles Manson's spoken dialogue in 'Forever Failure', adding a layer of psychological unease.
The powerful, soaring choral arrangements that elevate tracks like 'Once Solemn' or 'Jaded' (assuming typical Paradise Lost structure) from heavy metal to a grand, almost cinematic scale.
Gregor Mackintosh's intricate, melancholic lead guitar melodies, particularly evident in the instrumental breaks of tracks like 'The Last Time', providing a counterpoint to the heavy rhythm section.
The driving, almost anthemic rhythm section on tracks like 'Hallowed Land', showcasing Lee Morris's precise drumming and Steve Edmonson's solid bass work.
Reviews

How does Draconian Times sound next to the rest of Paradise Lost's catalogue?

Late Night+2.4σ

Late Night saturates this record far more than the artist's norm.

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