"Another thing that needs fixing is the number of tracks; there's this "corporate" belief that an album should contain as much material as possible"

^Exactly. This sucks! a bloody metal LP should have 8-9 tracks, clocking in at around 40-45 minutes.

e.g. I checked the new Helloween LP and it sucked. BUT it sucked even more for being over 1 hour long... and even LONGER because of crappy bonus tracks; as if the first 13 tracks weren't shite enough.

Yeah I'm more than happy with around 40 mins for an album.

Album Rating: 4.5

Production here is perfect. Still dig the new one the most out of the 4 PL albums I've heard though. m/

I'd like the new one more if the production was more like this, but in any case still dont think it would challenge this or Icon. The energy and songwriting isnt quite there.

Album Rating: 4.0

"e.g. I checked the new Helloween LP and it sucked. BUT it sucked even more for being over 1 hour long... and even LONGER because of crappy bonus tracks; as if the first 13 tracks weren't shite enough."



Exactly! I read an Andi Deris interview and he stated a couple of times that because people spend a lot of money buying albums, they try and make them as long as possible. Which makes me wonder about two things: first, how can someone with so many years of experience make such an error and second, did anyone from their management actually listened to the damned finished product?

Album Rating: 4.5

The remastered CD used in the Legacy Edition, while very subtle, gives this an extra punch; among my favourite productions on a PL album. The 5.1 mix bonus DVD should also be a treat for those with proper systems.



"The energy and songwriting isn't quite there."

Respectfully disagree. Production's fine, as you can tell, despite all the old-school influences, that it's a modern record and if I remember correctly, Nick said in an interview that was their intention, anyway.

"I read an Andi Deris interview and he stated a couple of times that because people spend a lot of money buying albums, they try and make them as long as possible."

LOL. Idk mate - logic of an 8 year old; in all seriousness[bar the keepers era(especially part1)] I don't consider myself a Helloween fan, but still, there's a difference between your average cheesy euro-power and plain rubbish--elongated plain rubbish, to be exact. The opener prolly bears the worst lyrics ever written by a human being... I was literally rofling while the track(Heroes) was spinning!


Regarding the production on The Plague Within...

Although the new PL follows a 'loud' approach, it does so in an effective manner; partially because of proper mixing, partially because they were careful not to overindulge in compression (thus leaving space for dynamics), but mainly because there are not many "embellishments" other than those of the two guitars to burry the 'spine' of the sound--violins & subtle keys, etc were placed low in the mix (especially during the parts were vocals and riffs were present). When the arrangements are based on heavy keys, orchestras, and layers in general the 'loudness plus bad mixing' can make 'em sound like shit. e.g. the latest Blind Guardian...

^ lol essay

Album Rating: 5.0

it doesn't get much better than Enchantment

Album Rating: 5.0

WHEN YOU SEAL MY FATE, SORROW TURNS TO HATE

Album Rating: 4.5

IF I CAN SEE A LIGHT SHINING

Album Rating: 4.5

once solemn rocks so hard

omg it's been months since i last spun this. gonna change that asap

Album Rating: 4.5

Awesome as always.

'gonna change that asap' - yeah same. Excellent album.

Album Rating: 5.0

The perfect Paradise Lost album.

Album Rating: 4.0

I really like most of this album, but Icon is so much better. Although, 'Forever Failure' is one of my favorite PL songs. It's the 'True Belief' of this album.

Album Rating: 5.0

The songwriting here is just as good as Icon, but it also corrects the problems that Icon had: namely, the occasionally offkey lead guitar parts, the sloppy vocals and the general lack of tightness throughout the album. The strong songwriting and energy were enough to make that one a near-classic, but this one really is flawless.

Forever Failure IS my favourite Paradise Lost song. It's utterly perfect.

Album Rating: 4.0

I totally agree. They need to write more songs like 'Forever Failure' and 'True Belief'.

Album Rating: 4.5

ocean of noise talks some truth there