1) As Horizons End:
Starting with church-like choirs is razed clear that here there is the purest Düsterenis. Few seconds later the guitars put an explosively. One quickly becomes clear here it comes in a doomigere direction. Nick Holmes continues his Draconian Times / Icon-voice in a low register to shouten his usual cryptic, dark texts until it merges into the clean vocals in the chorus. A very good start, maybe not directly fast and exciting and certainly not to headbang inviting but he makes immediately clear in which notch suggests this album. In pure darkness, where there is no reason to laugh. The only drawback: Greg Mackintosh grabs only at the beginning of his legendary and characteristic guitar melodies. No matter what he does away again with a smart solo. (9/10)
2) I Remain:
Allen protestations of the band that the album is more complete works, as a collection of individual, standing by itself hits, yet here is one. And that despite a relatively high complexity. A Paradise Lost ratios rather brisk song in which especially Nick Holmes shines. He shows here really the full range of his vocal Könnes: deep icon Shouts, about his Hetfield-like voice, to soft clear vocals. The chorus is probably one of the biggest earwigs who ever wrote this band, and indeed one of the positive variety ("Tear me down and break me, I remain"). Goes straight into your ear. In the middle section of the song slightly decreases pace and is more ballad and introverted, only to then again explosively take pace and to provide scope for a brilliant solo Greg. A hit through and through and the best part: he dances not out of line and fits as before in the whole work concept of the album. (10/10)
3) First Light:
Slightly bulky, but overall well done. For the first time are also keyboards in front to a greater extent, but the guitars are still clearly in the foreground. In the verses Holmes fluctuates between his clean vocals and shouts. Although the chorus is not as catchy as it is less compelling as atmospheric, but after having reingehört itself, the song works quite well. (8.5 / 10)
4) Frailty:
I do not know why, but I've always thought that Paradise Lost would someday make a song with that title. This is one of the bulkiest songs on the whole album. And it still works (or precisely because) perfect. With his ballad beginning, he gets you going for the storm that follows. As the song picks up momentum, it is becoming one of the fastest songs, this band has ever done. And that only to shortly thereafter move into mid-tempo again. The song is built somewhat unusual, since it dispenses with a chorus in the traditional sense, but that's what makes it so exciting. Towards the end, Greg Mackintosh shows finally a few of his brilliant melodies. So we have Paradise Lost has never heard. Just lovely. (10/10)
5) Faith Divides Us, Death Unites Us:
The first single is a very nice song. Among other circumstances, he would even were a big hit, but unfortunately he can compete with its predecessors not quite. Although, lyrically quite exciting because it allows room for interpretation despite the relatively direct title. A successful song, just not quite at the level of the first four. (8.5 / 10)
6) The Rise Of Denial:
Probably the most direct lyrics on the album. And fits to the catchiest and most straightforward song on the album. Somehow reminds me Greg's melody a bit to the cult status enjoying "Sweetness", although much faster. Generally, this is probably the Icon / Draconian Times-most similar number. Similarly good the song goes into the ear. (9.5 / 10)
7) Living With Scars:
Wow, maybe the song is bulky. Especially the first few minutes. But you should not let it scare. Initially, during the first two stanzas leaves Greg Mackintosh even back a couple of ancient Death Metal influences flow into the song, with Nick are accustomed deeper Icon-voice its not quite catchy same tune over brings. But at least after the second verse of the song reveals its true strength. Nick Holmes increases for the remaining song into a more melodic vocals Hetfield, guitar Greg are moderately probably the best thing he has (perhaps also throughout his career?) Brought out in years, conjures up their sleeve. The aggression of the beginning gives way to a melancholy, which you simply can not escape. Who can scare at first listen here, which escapes a true masterpiece. (10/10)
8) Last Regret:
Probably the most melancholic song on the album erweisst at the beginning also a bit bulky, and that even though he is actually kept very simple. Such minimalist we have Paradise Lost also never heard. But therein lies the strength of the songs. Despite rather simple guitar work (one chord per bar and at very slow pace) and a very very simple melody from Nick Holmes manages to create a tragic epic feeling to the song. Holmes used almost exclusively his clear voice, which (intentionally) sounds very fragile and wounded. In the middle section finally assumes also that song short ride on, so Greg can round out the whole thing with great melodies. (9.5 / 10)
9) Universal Dream:
The strength of Paradise Lost was, among other things always in brilliant melodies. Unfortunately you can not install all this here. The song reminiscent of "Pity The Sadness", but reached nowhere near its luster. Not a bad song, not at all, but unfortunately the weak point of this album. (7/10)
10) In Truth:
Probably the most experimental song on the album. Mostly he recalls One Second / Host times, saying he scores not by complexity or fast rhythms, but Duch its atmosphere. Strictly speaking, the song sounds like the host album would sound if they had received at the time it right with guitars (especially "Permanent Solution"), but is darker than this. I know this song will split the opinions of the fans, but I like it. (8.5 / 10)
11) Cardinal Zero:
The song could be "Universal Dream Part II" hot in my opinion, is Allerding better than this. Especially because at the end again brilliant melodies eye grabs. But overall not a real highlight. (7.5 / 10)
12) Faith Divides Us, Death Unites Us (Orchestral):
Taken with the Prague Orchestra. Unfortunately, not a bad number, but does not quite reach the original. (8/10)
13) Last Regret (Orchestral):
The second orchestral version of a song from this album. The exact reverse as "Faith Divides Us ...". It tops the original still. Hard to believe, but true. The song was already in the original epic, but here everything is increased, it has to offer the original. The melancholy, the gloom, the drama, the bombast. A very successful project. With the orchestra (10/10)
