ALBUM REVIEW: Icon 30 – Paradise Lost
The British rock and metal scene was in great health in 1993. Bands who embraced metal with rock and punk influences like THE WILDHEARTS and THE ALMIGHTY released albums like Earth Vs… and Powertrippin’ to great acclaim, while on the more extreme ends of things CARCASS added even more melody to their deathly music with Heartwork, while the likes of CATHEDRAL, PITCHSHIFTER, ANATHEMA and MY DYING BRIDE all released records that also proved very popular. One album though, stood proudly as a statement of intent not only for British heavy music, but also heavy music in general and that album was Icon by PARADISE LOST.
Icon was the band’s fourth album following their debut Lost Paradise (1990), the aptly titled Gothic (1991), and the breakthrough Shades Of God (1992), and it saw the band moving further away from the death-doom sound of their previous records while still retaining a heavy but much grander sound. The album was much praised all around and saw the band’s status grow with the videos for True Belief, Widow and Embers Fire played regularly on MTV. They ended 1993 on tour supporting SEPULTURA, who were themselves touring on the back of the similarly popular breakthrough of their own in the form of Chaos A.D..
Icon has gained classic status over the years with many PARADISE LOST fans citing it as their favourite, and it remains as popular now as it did when it was first released with its melding of modern metal and their brand of grand gothic doom working in perfect harmony over 13 extremely well-crafted songs. With the record reaching its 30th anniversary in 2023, the band have created a special release to pay tribute to such an iconic (no pun intended) album as they have re-recorded the entire album as Icon 30 not only to celebrate this momentous occasion and pay tribute to the album that elevated them to the next level, but to right the wrongs of the fact that they never actually owned the rights to the album or its artwork due to record label wranglings. The results are nothing but exemplary.
The album in its original form is a masterclass in metal, from the way the songs were crafted to the musicianship on show, and Icon 30 is on the same level. As soon as the stirring opening of the immortal Embers Fire kicks in again, it is an all encompassing listening experience, and it is also far from a straight copy. The vocals of Nick Holmes sound even heavier, particularly on songs like True Belief and Weeping Words, while Gregor Mackintosh and Aaron Aedy‘s guitar tones and playing still sound amazing (just listen to Widow and Dying Freedom for perfect examples) and add another layer to the tracks. The rhythm section of Stephen Edmonson and Guido Zima Montanarini (ably recreating original drummer Matt Archers parts while adding his own spin on things) powers the songs along and listening to the album feels obviously familiar but also new at the same time.
Ultimately, Icon 30 is a perfect way to celebrate both the legacy and history of the original album and PARADISE LOST in general on their own terms and for that they must be applauded. The songs here are simply as brilliant and powerful as they were back in 1993.
Rating: 9/10
Icon 30 is set for release on December 1st via self-release.
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