Ah, damn. Vacations make you miss things. When good ol’ RMR was pounding the sand and playing with giant squids, Paradise Lost here snuck in a clip right from Ze Kingdom Ov Doom. Already the title, Serpent on the Cross, should have jolted us awake through esoteric osmosis or something. But it didn’t, and here we are, late already for Ascension, the record dropping tomorrow.
The RMR crew was kind of wondering where PL would take this after Obsidian left us in 2020. And if Serpent on the Cross is any indicator, the going just got better. The track itself is down-home Paradise Lost, featuring a mix of grouchy yet powerful Doom Death Metal and gothic vibes. All that surges forth at a reasonably fast pace, through the valleys of lament with focus and a frankly improved craftsmanship over their last record. Not the most complex song, but it won’t need to be.
But it is the cinematography that gave us pause. A clip telling a story – of the mothman bringing wisdom to the initiated from the mighty serpent, or something. A CGI-driven production, perfectly blending real moving pictures with computer-generated animations. Ancient blasphemy and mystique meets modern technological advance. A perfect balance of an expert Doom Metal act in action and a story well told.
Now, click this link before it is too late, and the end of the world commences. You might be missing something, y’know.
Label: Nuclear Blast | Web: Official Band Site
Release Date: 11 July 2025