Paradise Lost

Metal band formed in 1988 in Halifax, UK. Along with country-mates Anathema and 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. Lost Paradise, Gothic and Shades of God established the band as one of death/doom's leading forces but by 1993's Icon 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) Draconian Times and One Second then losing almost all metallic ties on albums such as Host and Believe In Nothing. 2002's Symbol of Life 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.