Paradise Lost – Icon

Don’t buy this defective press that was made from distorted audio tapes (same as first UK Digipack) - A1-A3, B1, C1 has hissing and cracks in the begging until the end. My copy is Mint quality and was ultrasonicly cleaned twice, and this problem keeps on with me… Top audio was made on Russian “Death City Records” released in 1994, because it was sourced from non-Digipack version (jewel case version) of the CD.

1. Death City Records Reissue 1994
2. Music On Vinyl 2020 Reissue (Duplicates first press)
3. Peaceville 2011 Reissue (Poor quality of the sleeve but the audio is same as MOV).
4. First UK 1993 MFN

Paradise Lost's fourth release from 1993, "Icon" is a classic slab of gothic metal brilliance that is absolutely amazing in every aspect. The album marks a change in the band's sound as they go from their early death/doom sound which was present on their first three albums "Lost Paradise", "Gothic", and "Shades of God" in favor of a more gothic metal sound. It also marks a change in Nick Holmes' vocal style as he abandons his death metal grunts fully in favor of a more James Hetfield-esque singing style but in much darker tone. On all fronts - songwriting, production, atmosphere, vocals, and musicianship, "Icon" is just impeccable. It has all the good stuff: Powerful, heavy, crushing riffs, dark and beautiful melodies, dark lyrics, powerful vocals, a tight rhythm section, and an atmosphere that just engulfs you and the only way out is to simply listen to this album even more. Everything just all blends together seamlessly on here. Every song on this album just shines and moves ever so flawlessly throughout. The aforementioned vocals of Nick Holmes are in top form here, as the vocalist prowls through one track to the next with his powerful and gruff Hetfield-esque barks and clean singing with such ease. Elsewhere, Gregor Mackintosh's lead guitar on here is just flat out amazing, as he piles on an array of memorable leads, melodies, and solos, and he even makes great use of the wah-pedal throughout this whole album too. Meanwhile rhythm guitarist Aaron Aedy drives away through each track with walls of monstrous, crushing, heavy riffs that will pound your eardrums with full force, and of course the rhythm section consisting of bassist Steve Edmonson and drummer Matt Archer is simple yet it is so tight and solid as a rock.

Kicking off "Icon", we have "Embers Fire" which begins with a brooding cello intro that makes you feel like you're slowly descending into a dark and hollow crevice, and the song then suddenly erupts into a slow groove of downtrodden yet mighty and powerful guitar hooks along with Nick's empowered vocals, and this song is also highlighted by a wonderfully enthralling guitar solo from Gregor in which he utilizes several different tapping styles, and great usage of the wah-pedal as mentioned as well. The following cut "Remembrance" however picks up the pace ever so slightly with it's powering groove and mighty four-chord verses brooding beneath echoing clean guitar chords, and is also highlighted by another fantastic Gregor guitar solo as well. Next up, track three "Forging Sympathy" is another heavy riff driven rocker that is highlighted by yet another memorable batch of heavy, crunching, mesmerizing riffs throughout as well as some nice melodic soloing, plus more gruffy Hetfield-esque barking from Nick to boot, and moving forward, track four "Joys of the Emptiness" is a more slower, dark, and dreary doom-laden number (and another one of my favorites here) that is bolstered by a slow, thunderous, and oppressive, melodic signature riff, plus some dreary clean guitar bridges, and some hypnotic tapping leads, and slow, yet booming, thundering drum beats all lead by Nick's powerful, haunting vocals. The fifth song "Dying Freedom" which begins with a light hearted synth intro is anchored by more incredible melodies, and catchy, killer chugging hooks, and heavy upbeat drumming lead by more of Nick's powerful vocal deliveries, and another nice guitar solo is also included as well.

Continuing on, the sixth track "Widow" is another fantastic song that nicely drives along throughout with a well-paced, and pounding percussive march along with awesome driving riffs and melodies, and Nick's gruff, soaring vocals, plus a wicked wah-wah solo is also sprinkled on for good measure. Next, we have "Colossal Rains" which is another stunner of a highlight that is highlighted by some vocal samples that echo behind prior to the song's opening verse, plus more excellent guitar work throughout which includes a perfectly placed breakdown that includes a very haunting guitar melody. Moving forward, track eight "Weeping Words" is an undeniably moody number that is anchored by layers of more excellent heavy, chunky riffage and catchy melodies, and hefty, powerhouse drumming throughout, and the song is also highlighted by yet another fantastic and unique sounding solo, and heavy, yet clean, and fierce, barking vocals as well. Next up is "Poison" which is the heaviest song on the album and another favorite of mine that kicks right in with it's excellent, heavy riffing and drumming, and Nick's gruff, yet melodic singing, and finishes off with an awesomely blistering guitar solo that will knock the listener's socks off.

Moving onwards, the album's tenth track and my personal favorite "True Belief" is a very powerful, dark and melodic number that is bolstered by heavy, massive, chugging guitar-driven verses which cut right into atmospheric, powerful, and gruff yet melodic sung choruses which also includes some gloomy melodic riffing, and the song is also highlighted by a wonderful melodic solo right near the end that lifts itself right out of the song's chorus riff and rises straight to elegant heights. The following track "Shallow Seasons" is also another powerful and mesmerizing track that features yet more of Nick's fierce, and powerful vocals backed by more powerful, heavy riffing, and mesmerizing melodies, and awesome drum work, and there's also another excellent, soaring, melodic solo from Gregor thrown in near the end of the song. Afterwards, we have "Christendom" which is an excellent and haunting gothic-y tune that is highlighted by some tasteful, soothing female vocals, and some spoken vocals from Nick as well, along with glorious melodies, and thundering power chords, and a powerful chorus to boot. Then finally, we close things out with the near 2 minute closing instrumental cut "Deus Misereatur" which features a batch of lush, gorgeous, and dark piano and synthesizer melodies.

On a conclusive note, "Icon" is just an absolute masterpiece of gothic metal brilliance, and is also one of the best albums in the Paradise Lost discography, and it also serves as an amazing predecessor to the band's titanic 1995 masterpiece "Draconian Times". From the production, to the songwriting, musicianship, vocals, lyrics, and atmosphere, this album has definitely stood the test of time and continues to do so to this day. Anyway, if you're looking for a true 90's gothic/doom metal landmark classic, then you've definitely come to the right place here with Paradise Lost's "Icon". Believe me, this album is simply iconic in every sense of the word...Highly Recommended!!! \m/ \m/

This actually sounds pretty fantastic. It's a little clinical/sharp sounding (It's a DMM record after all), but it's very precise as well for that same reason.

DR11 -1.15 dB -13.75 dB 4:43 01-Embers fire
DR11 -0.32 dB -13.95 dB 3:26 02-Remembrance
DR11 -1.75 dB -13.64 dB 4:41 03-Forging Sympathy
DR12 -0.49 dB -13.98 dB 3:27 04-Joys Of Emptiness
DR12 -0.79 dB -14.09 dB 3:43 05-Dying Freedom
DR11 -1.86 dB -13.69 dB 3:03 06-Widow
DR11 -1.31 dB -13.68 dB 4:35 07-Colossal Rains
DR11 -1.21 dB -13.92 dB 3:49 08-Weeping Words
DR11 -1.77 dB -13.69 dB 2:59 09-Poison
DR11 -0.74 dB -14.59 dB 4:29 10-True Belief
DR12 -2.50 dB -14.82 dB 4:54 11-Shallow Seasons
DR11 -3.42 dB -15.85 dB 4:30 12-Christendom
DR10 -3.54 dB -17.59 dB 1:55 13-Deus Misereatur

Little less than 4 centimeters or one and a half inches

who knows exactly the size of the sticker on the front cover?