What's up, Metal maniacs? I'm here once again to give you an insight on this US, Nashville quartet: PARADISE LOST signed via Divebomb Records, and their re-issue of their self-titled release.

...not to be confused with the Gothic Doom band from the UK - also called PARADISE LOST.

I've never had this much trouble trying to find a band's biography out on as this one; this is what happens when you have the same name as a hugely popular band that are the British PARADISE LOST from Halifax, UK. If you're here for them...turn back.

With that confusion out of the way; I'm still bedazzled as to why this PARADISE LOST chose this band name after their original name, AUDIENCE; it's a much better and original name and would avoid any unnecessary frustration as I had when trying to find out this band's biography details. It's as more confusing when both bands have similar album titles in their discographies...I believe this is the UK's quintet's fault, as they started out in 1988, and the US quartet released this re-issue in 1985...

And with that rant out of the way...I can finally enjoy what's labeled: Hard Rock/Prog...but also according to an individual cite...Hardcore, Heavy Metal, Power Metal & Thrash Metal...after listening to this album...I'd just go with Hard Rock and Heavy Metal; there are no Thrash Metal intrigues so, I don't know why they included that as an option. While the Prog influences are there; I mostly just sense a band delivering classic Hard Rock that actually sounds really good. We have Disc 1, which includes the entire self-titled album, "Paradise Lost", remixed and re-mastered... Which have been out of print for over 25 years! ...but I wouldn't hold my breath, as this release is also a Limited Edition. Segments from the "John Mills Sessions" from 1987, and a Live recording from the "Nashville Extravaganza" (1988) from what I've been listening to...I'm enjoying the crap out of this 33 track deluxe edition, straight out of the band's archives.

Disc 2 features more additional session-based releases in PARADISE LOST's "lost" catalogue. Including: "Perelandra Studios Sessions" (1990); Live exerts from "Exit In" (1987) "Sound Shop Sessions" (1988) and "Sound Vortex Sessions" (1986-1987). The album includes a 28-paged booklet with new in-depth interviews, lyrics and archival photos/press collections.

Either I'm getting into the Progressive side of Rock and Metal...or I'm just really digging "Paradise Lost" for what it is. Throughout the album, I jam to a brilliant slab of solid steel that can only make me groove to no end. This is feel good music at its best; Dave Privett on vocals, unleashes a vocal performance that just defines Heavy Rock to perfection, Dale Howard has unprecedented and just pretty much glorious riff patterns that define rhythm, skill and technique which can equally be said for the powerhouse from Mark Seely on keyboards, drums and addition vocals, not to forget David Howard on drums, who does a stellar performance of the "How To" of Hard Rock.

It's crazy to think that someone with an open mind, such as myself, comes to appreciate other genres where I would normally not approach; I'm a Metal Thrasher at the most, of course...but I enjoy almost everything the music industry can dish out, depending. PARADISE LOST (US) pumps out some fantastic harmonic melodies that just have a distinct enjoyment value to them. "Paradise Lost", as an album, is a true classic that aims to make the individual feel good. The additional exerts in this Deluxe release sound just as good, as well; production wise, the band made sure to make this release sound anew and crystal clear, as the original had originally portended. If you love your YES, JOURNEY, THE POLICE, and U2... (while I've yet to listen to these bands properly, I still highly enjoyed the living crap out of "Paradise Lost") ...PARADISE LOST (AUDIENCE) should be right up your alley, as these are optional influences from the band themselves...that doesn't mean "Paradise Lost" will sound almost exactly the same.

Bottom line..."Paradise Lost" sounded like it definitely needed a re-issue release and has opened my mind to enjoy PARADISE LOST a lot more in my future; I support this band 100% for giving me the opportunity to embark on a new journey for myself to get into this genre a lot more when I already should have! ...I best get to work!<