PARADISE LOST

A very solid 4 stars. THRESHOLD, KAMELOT and SYMPHONY X all released new albums in 2007 and this one is definitely my favourite of the three. This record is perhaps their heaviest album yet, even Russel Allen's vocals sound rougher than usual. Only time will tell where I place this one in their discography as far as favourites go. I still place "V-The New Mythology Suite" at the top of the heap. "Paradise Lost" is based loosely on the poem by John Milton.

"Oculus Ex Inferni" is typical SYMPHONY X with the choirs and orchestration. Drums are also evident in this 2 1/2 minute instrumental. "Set The World On Fire" maybe should have been called "Here come the riffs !". Because that's what we get to start with as punishing drums pound it out and guitars rip it up. Vocals a minute in. An instrumental workout 4 minutes in. It becomes sinister-sounding a minute later. Suitable of course as this is about satan being cast out of heaven to earth. Hence the title "Set The World On Fire". The next track "Domination" opens with some fantastic bass as drums and a full sound come in quickly. It gets heavier. Allen spits out the venom after a minute. A ripping guitar solo 3 1/2 minutes in. A great heavy sound 5 minutes in. The title of this track is fitting as the music is so dominating, like getting hit with a two by four for 6 1/2 minutes. "Serpent's Kiss" is one of my top three songs on this album. It opens with the metal flying everywhere. Romeo must have had a blast doing this album. This track is very much guitar led, driven and overwhelmed ! Killer tune man.

"Paradise Lost" opens with piano as synths and reserved vocals come in. It gets fuller sounding. Nice guitar solo 2 1/2 minutes and after 4 minutes. I really like the chorus. "Eve Of Seduction" is extremely fast paced, although the tempo does shift throughout. The guitar is excellent 3 1/2 minutes in. Not one of my favourites for some reason. "The Walls Of Babylon" is though, and one of my top three tracks. Some atmosphere to open before all hell breaks loose before a minute. Great sound before 2 minutes. Vocals 3 1/2 minutes in. Perhaps Russell's best vocal performance on the album. "Seven" like "Eve Of Seduction" is more in the Power-Metal realm, very fast paced with a stampede of drums. It slows down after 4 1/2 minutes but gets heavier. The guitar solo after 5 minutes is killer ! The thunder is back. "The Sacrifice" is ok but more of a power ballad. "Revelation" is another top three for me. Heavy with guitar to open with some galloping rhythms. Great sound a minute in as things get intense. Vocals follow. It settles 2 1/2 minutes in. Synths are prominant 4 minutes in. Piano after 5 minutes. The guitar starts to dominate a minute later. It calms down again (I love this part). Kicks back in 7 minutes.

An excellent return for this band with lots crushing passages to rock out to. This is probably closer to Prog-Metal than Power-Metal.