Paradise Lost "Draconian Times"

Draconian Times is the fifth studio album released by British metal act Paradise Lost. Two tracks from the album, "The Last Time" and "Forever Failure", were released as singles with music videos, and both charted.

This album was played in its entirety on the band's live album Draconian Times MMXI. This album was released with Shades of God & Icon in a boxed set called Original Album Classics. A song called "Another Desire", was written during this album's recording, but it was not released on this album nor the reissues. Instead, it was included in the "Forever Failure" single.

Nick Holmes said in an interview that he was "pretty down" when he wrote the lyrics. Due to the built-in sample projects of "Forever Failure" is a little bit lyrically out. The play is about drugs, in particular humans, in which about the consumption of hashish or alcohol determines life. The use the Manson samples came after Holmes had seen a report about Manson on TV. Gregor Mackintosh called Manson's statements "confused and sad".

"I See Your Face" is inspired by a story from the news, in which a mother was stabbed in front of their children.

The catastrophe of the Baltic ferry MS Estonia in 1994, has influenced Holmes. He often think "about imminent death situations," accordingly. Holmes describes himself as a hypochondriac and "Drama Queen". Also, the album title, loosely translated as "hard times" so that is related . "The question is just why these terrible things always happen just normal people who live a brave life, while guys like Manson depend relatively comfortable in any institution." - Gregor Mackintosh.

Similarly, the song "The Last Time" by sudden fear is groundless.

A piece of Draconian Times carries a song title named after the third album of the band, Shades of God. However, it was a newly written piece and in that context, Nick Holmes seen as an atheist. In Flirting with church symbols, also in the past, have him " the romantic side irritated it, but with everyday life here and now that has to do unfortunately little."


Not since this album, Paradise Lost had allegations made to be commercial and on "the big dough" to be made, although mostly the qualities of the album are quite recognized.

Videos were made for "The Last Time" and "Forever Failure,” however the latter is a largely different edit of the song than the one on the album. 

The monologue samples on "Forever Failure" is Charles Manson, from The Man Who Killed the 60s documentary. 

Tracks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9. 10 and 12 by Holmes & Mackintosh.
Track 8 by Holmes, Mackintosh , Edmondson & Morris
Track 11 by Holmes, Mackintosh & Aedy.

Design and layout by Styleorouge.
Arranged by (choral) Guildford Dead Boys Choir.

Recording information:

Recorded from January to March, 1995 at Great Linford Manor and Ridge Farm Studios in England, United Kingdom.

Mastered at Townhouse Studios in London, England, United Kingdom.