PARADISE LOST

First off, let me tell you, i've never had bigger expectations for any album release ever! This might be why it turned out to be a slight let down for me personally. Don't get me wrong, this is a very good trash/powermetal album, but i'm missing some of the "magic" from albums like DWOT, V, Twilight in Olympus and Odyssey.

The slow progressive build up with the brilliant melodies has in many ways been standarized to vers/chorus type songs. This album is harder and faster than anything they've done so far, with a more agressive guitar sound and riffing. Russel Allen really proves that he is one of the very best singers out there, and takes his vocals to a new level in tracks like 'The Walls Of Babylon'.

Some other really good tracks are definitely worth a note. 'Eve Of Seduction' is one of my personal favorites, with an original melodic line, natural composition, all beautifully interwoven with technical brilliance, like I've always known Symphony X. 'Sacrifice' also takes you back to albums like DWOT, and songs like 'candlelight fantasia'. 'Revelation' is the longest track on the album, running for 9:17 with multiple layers and the most progressive song on the album. The outro is the same slow guitarplay from DWOT, is this a part ll?

Eventhough the 'Paradise Lost' definitely has some really good tracks, for me, the album as a whole doesn't quite deliver. But like i've said before, i had REALLY big expectations!! As a standalone album though, this is a technical and musical masterpiece definitely worth a space in anybodys metal collection.