"Obsidian", the new album from British gothic metal pioneers PARADISE LOST, will be released on May 15 via Nuclear Blast. The group's sixteenth studio album, which was recorded with producer Jaime Gomez Arellano, eschews its immediate predecessors' gruesome, myopic approach in favor of a richer and more dynamic deluge of black shades. From the deceptive elegance and dual atmospheres of opener "Darker Thoughts" through to the crushing, baroque doom of war-torn closer "Ravenghast", "Obsidian" reveals a band in masterful control of a broad array of vital ideas. Most noticeably, the record boasts several songs that draw heavily from the much-loved, Kohl-encrusted days of '80s gothic rock: in particular, newly minted PARADISE LOST anthem "Ghosts" is a guaranteed dancefloor filler at any discerning goth nightclub.

Singer Nick Holmes comments: "One of the most eclectic albums we have done in some time, we have miserable songs, sad songs, slow songs and faster songs. Did I mention miserable?"

The 25th-anniversary reissue of PARADISE LOST's fifth studio album, "Draconian Times", will be released on December 4 via Music For Nations. It will be lovingly pressed onto heavyweight audiophile approved vinyl, housed in a gatefold artwork sleeve, and presented on select and limited vinyl variants. The special 25th anniversary edition also sees the vaults opened to provide a deluxe CD version that comes with a definitive disc of bonus, rare and unreleased material from the "Draconian Times" era. Furnished with new liner notes, delving deep dive into the album's lyrical themes and exclusive memories from PARADISE LOST, this is a must for fans and completists alike.

Says PARADISE LOST: "We can finally reveal what we've been up to. A 25th-anniversary reissue of 'Draconian Times'! Featuring the content you, our fans, have submitted; exclusive artwork, unheard tracks, memories from all of the band members and more.

"Pre-order your copy here. The 2LP red vinyl is exclusive to the band's official store and all pre-orders of this variant via Omerch will be entered into a lucky dip draw to win a handwritten lyric sheet from vocalist Nick Holmes. Good luck!"

Draconian Times ressort en édition 25 ans, il aura été bien réédité ce disque!

Disc 1

01. Enchantment
02. Hallowed Land
03. The Last Time
04. Forever Failure
05. Once Solemn
06. Shadowkings
07. Elusive Cure
08. Yearn For Change
09. Shades Of God
10. Hands Of Reason
11. I See Your Face
12. Jaded

Disc 2

01. Shadowkings (BBC live session)
02. Sweetness (BBC live session)
03. Once Solemn (BBC live session)
04. Yearn For Change (BBC live session)
05. The Last Time (demo)
06. Forever Failure (demo)
07. Shadow Kings (demo)
08. I See Your Face (demo)
09. Hallowed Land (demo)
10. Hand Of Reason (demo)
11. Last Desire (demo)
12. Masters Of Misrule (demo)
13. Walk Away (SISTERS OF MERCY cover)

Le groupe a commenté ce nouvel album : « En raison de l’interdiction des concerts, nous avons, comme beaucoup d’autres groupes, dû nous adapter et faire quelque chose que nous n’aurions jamais pensé devoir faire. Non, pas empiler des étagères à Aldi comme Metallica, mais jouer un spectacle dans une usine désaffectée du Yorkshire sans personne d’autre.
Nous avons décidé de ne pas essayer de prétendre qu’il y avait un public dans la salle avec nous, optant à la place pour une version plutôt moribonde d’un spectacle de salon en direct. Sans jamais être satisfaits de quoi que ce soit, le résultat fut moins misérable que prévu. »

La vidéo a été réalisée par AshTV Music Video et le son a été masterisé par Orgone Studios.
L’artwork est une oeuvre de Ogino Design.