Album Review: Paradise Lost – Ascension (Nuclear Blast)

Gothic metal legends, Paradise Lost are back with their brand-new, and seventeenth album, ‘Ascension’, out on September 19th, 2025.

With an over-three decade career, some of the most iconic metal albums ever released, and with a reputation for reinvention, it should come as no surprise that this new album from Paradise Lost is as attention-grabbing and head-turning as any that came before. An album that is varied, sees them lean into more ‘straight-forward’ metal territories, and deliver a cacophony of glorious gothic heaviness, dark doom, solemn melody, as only they can.

In a lot of places, it is indisputably Paradise Lost with its lingering guitar leads and grandiose vocals that perfectly balance harsh growls and persistent cleans. However, there’s also no denying that the album is potent in other ways. One being the fresh focus on riffs, of which there are many stunners, and another being the double bass drumming that adds rich textures to so much.

A track like Serpent on the Cross is the perfect opener to showcase all of this, and a bit more, curtesy of an elaborate guitar solo. However, it’s the following Tyrants Serenade that set my senses alight, even if it’s a simplified and familiar Paradise Lost, as it sees them delivering an absolute banger in the process. I love how big it sounds, and I love how strong Nick Holmes’ vocals are throughout.

It’s an early summation of the album too. Where creativity meets tradition and in the hands of experts, it is as exciting as it is satisfying, and trust me, it’s very freaking satisfying. You won’t find many people not thoroughly pleased with the thick gothic atmosphere of a track like Salvation, especially as it evolves in interesting fashion. Nor will you find anyone complaining about a track like the riffy Silence Like the Grave, especially if you like a bit of a Metallica-vibe. I s**t you not, and it’s not the only time that comparison comes up.

Only a band as confident and clever as Paradise Lost could go from that to something as melancholic as Lay A Wreath Upon the World. The soft melody, the quietly sung vocals, and then at around the halfway point, it powers up and takes us to a sombre close.

Variety that thrills and chills, where it can’t be understated just how consuming an album it is, especially as it goes on. Riffy doominess that transforms into vigorous heavy metal and back again via Diluvium. Haunting torment via Savage Days and heightened drama that is heavy focused but has layers of goth tones via Sirens. Then there is the drive of Deceivers, Paradise Lost leaning into their epic doom side, albeit with more life and energy thanks to varied guitar tones. Before The Precipice takes us dangerously close to the edge of the void, staring into the unending darkness below, feeling unsteady, and unsure of what might happen should we simply put one foot forward.

It is the kind of grand darkness that Paradise Lost excel in creating and it doesn’t get more beautiful than this, especially as the ending is so powerful. The perfect closer. Unless you picked up the special edition of the album where you can enjoy two more brooding efforts called This Stark Town and A Life Unknown.

Too much Paradise Lost? Not when they’re on this kind of form, and even if you don’t pick up the special edition, the ten-tracks of the album will leave most suitably miserable, Paradise Lost style.

Paradise Lost – Ascension Track Listing:

1. Serpent on the Cross
2. Tyrants Serenade
3. Salvation
4. Silence Like the Grave
5. Lay A Wreath Upon the World
6. Diluvium
7. Savage Days
8. Sirens
9. Deceivers
10. The Precipice
11. This Stark Town
12. A Life Unknown

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