by Ed Rivadavia
On this, their modest debut, Paradise Lost helped define the rules of doom/death metal: grinding, de-tuned anthems of woe topped with death metal-style guttural vocals. Yet, even as they were laying down the blueprint, Paradise Lost was already reaching for realms unknown to their then-amateurish abilities and latent promise. This is evident in all but the most primitive tracks here, but only the occasionally memorable riff or discreet melody contained in tracks like &Paradise Lost,& &Rotting Misery,& &Deadly Inner Sense,& and &Breeding Fear& (which introduces a female vocalist) even hint at the band's potential. In retrospect, Lost Paradise serves as a welcome rediscovery for serious fans, but casual metalheads likely won't see anything worthwhile here.