PARADISE LOST

As a huge SX fan, I've waited for this album counting almost every day to it's release. I was hoping, that they will come back to their classical style from The Divine Wings of Tragedy, Twilight in Olympus and V because modern style from The Odyssey is not my favourite (specially as to Allen's harsh vocals), although it was very good album. The first song from this album that I've heard was The Serpents Kiss and I thought... ok it's not great but it's interesting, little bit different and catchy. My appetite has grown. The beginning of the album was also electrising but my album first heard filling was that It's disappointing. And after many times of hearing it I didn't change my mind.

Firs of all the vocals are still harsh and it's really hard to understand why Russell ruins his great voice knowing that he can still normally sing (title track for example).

Second thing is production and I don't have sound quality in mind cause it's great. What I mean is that for most of the album I almost can't hear keyboards and bass. It is dominated by Romeo's guitar. On their last albums this part of production was more equalised and better resolved that is of course in my opinion.

Third thing - the same problem as with Dream Theater witch is: more power and less progressive. It's sad because it seams that both groups leaks of creativity. Maybe this is a little more easy to understand with DT cause they are releasing their albums systematically, but SX had five years and thought it's enough time to release a masterpiece by such talented musicians. Well it seems that I was wrong.

Ending: well the Paradise Lost is simply good power metal album with a little prog and symphonic coating and I was expecting different proportions here.

2,7 Stars