Paradise Lost

Metal band formed in 1988 in Halifax, UK.

Along with country-mates [a=Anathema] and [a=My Dying Bride], Paradise Lost are credited with creating the death/doom sub genre, although they have also been partially attributable for pioneering what is today known as gothic metal. Throughout their career the band have confounded fans and critics alike with their perpetual taste for reinvention and experimentation, a desire to work with producers from other musical genres, and an oft-stated refusal to repeat themselves for fear of stagnation.
[r=367482], [r=367141] and [r=786362] established the band as one of death/doom's leading forces but by 1993's [r=785934] they were gradually moving away these influences and instead opting for a more melancholy, slightly goth-influenced (though still metal) mainstream sound, they continued this trend on the extremely popular (albeit controversial) [r=786348] and [r=771025] then losing almost all metallic ties on albums such as [r=628050] and [r=511776]. 2002's [r=508392] saw the band begin to revert to its goth rock and heavy metal roots, subsequent releases have charted the band's exploration back into gothic and heavy metal territory.