Both 'Host' and 'Symbol of Life' were splendid records but it was the self-titled 2005 record that PARADISE LOST praised mostly.

'Paradise Lost' was a promise and a guarantee – that band was through experimenting and back to good old gloom and doom. Their decision seemed fair enough – after all, 2009's 'Faith Divides Us - Death Unites Us' proved to be an instant classic.

In that sense, 'The Plague Within' is the most logical step for the band – and it is a step backwards, back to their bloody doom/death roots. We're quick to warn you – don't expect a 'Gothic' sound or approach, for after all, it's the year 2015 and these are different (and better) musicians. 'The Plague Within' is a modern, extreme, splendidly recorded album... that is way too pedestrian.

You can clearly make out everything that is wrong and right with the album by listening to the first three tracks. Opener 'No Hope in Sight' is a classic, heavy as hell and devlishly melodic PARADISE LOST track combining (largely disappointing) harsh vocals with Nick Holmes' traditional baritone.

It's followed however by 'Terminal' - an attempt at an oldschool stunner which fails to impress and basically goes nowhere. The third one - 'An Eternity of Lies' is a combination of all that makes PARADISE LOST just what they are – a calssical piano/violin intro, a good riff and Holmes' neat vocals but it's once again a mediocre track and an easily forgettable one.

The rest of the album follows a very similar pattern – smashing tracks (the slow and menacing 'Beneath Broken Earth' and the orchestral 'Return to the Sun'); some rather unnecessary ones ('Flesh from Bone', 'Cry Out') as well as goodf ones that simply miss an ingredient that would make them great ('Victim of the Past').

If you're ready to spend some money on the special edition you would not only get some yummy deisgn but also the track 'Fear of Silence' (which is so good it's
unclear why it didn't make it to the more formal tracklist) as well as taste of the upcoming DVD with the live version of 'Victim of the Past'. And you remember well where and when this recording took place, right?