Faith Divides Us-Death Unites Us [Import]

Paradise Lost | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 29, 2009)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Import
• Label: 101 DISTRIBUTION
• ASIN: B002L1FFK6
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #280,774 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. As Horizons Ends

2. I Remain

3. First Light

4. Frailty

5. Faith Divides Us Death Unites Us

6. The Rise Of Denial

7. Living With Scars

8. Last Regret

9. Universal Dream

10. In Truth

See all 11 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Faith Divides Us Death Unites Us

2. Last Regret

Editorial Reviews

2009 album from the British Gothic Metal band. After celebrating their 20th Anniversary, Paradise Lost, who not only founded the Gothic Metal genre in 1991, but also diligently defined and daringly transcended it. Faith Divides Us - Death Unites Us easily and proudly continues this successful tradition and clearly points out that Paradise Lost are one of the few outstanding acts working hard and earning their legendary status by the power of the song. Recorded with famed producer Jens Bogren at Fascination Street Studios, Sweden has resulted in a natural, warm and organic production. The band has also enlisted Swedish drum legend Adrian Erlandsson (Cradle Of Filth, At the Gates) to its ranks. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 2 Stars??? WTF?!, October 11, 2009

By 

Eddie Rattlehead "dethster4life" (Salisbury, MD USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Faith Divides Us: Death Unites Us (Audio CD)

More like a perfect TEN!

I never forget my first contact with the godly "Icon". I was still living in Poland (a little country between Germany and Russia, if geography is not your passion) and I bought it at the record store, thus effectively depleting my monthly allowance. At the time, my ears were mostly dominated by the likes of Megadeth and Metallica, so "Icon", undoubtedly influenced by the latter (influence Metallica will repay by sounding like PL on the "House that Jack Built" from <Load>), was right up my alley. I was so in awe of dark masterpieces like "True Belief", "Joy of Emptiness" and "Embers Fire", I sought out their back catalog and found the slightly disappointing, but still solid "Shades of God".
Now, even before I heard "Icon", a friend of mine introduced me to "Gothic" on tape. I remember that I loved the music but hated the vocals. I thought "Icon" remedied that problem while upping the quality of songwriting.
Two years later, while already in the U.S., Paradise Lost enchanted (no wonder, the first song is called "Enchanted") me with another masterpiece "Draconian Times".I had to have it sent from Poland because the American stores didn't even bother ordering it anywhere. All the songwriting of "Icon" was there, the vocals improved, but the record was definitely less intense or complex in terms of metallic fiber. Still, the mood and climate of it was unmistakably PL. Although today I think it's a brilliant album and the next logical step for PL, at the time I thought it was a step back from "Icon".
Finally, another 2 years after they came up with "One Second". There was no doubt now - PL from their '93 masterpiece was dead and gone. Having said that, I like Paradise Lost's experimentation, even "Host". I know many people hated this one, calling them "poor man's Depeche Mode". However, "Host" was better than some DM's work like "Ultra" and "Exciter". Those albums are good and I own them but "Host" seemed to have been better DM than DM. At least until Depeche Mode came back with "Playing the Angel".
For the unwary ones- hello, PL was flirting with DM style since "Draconian Times". The 10th track, "Hands of Reason" may be metal, but it is already encased in DM-like climate and dynamic, especially the main chorus reminds me of "Rush" from "Songs of Faith and Devotion". Besides, Greg McIntosh, PL's guitarist, in '95 interview confessed to being in awe of that DM's album. Of course the influence will become more pronounced on "One Second" Just so you know, DM is my favorite non-metal band and it influenced many metal bands, i.e. In Flames, Dark Tranquillity (Projector). So, like I said, I liked that side of PL. However, I secretly also wanted them to return to their metal roots after "Host".
Alas, the next step for PL, "Believe in Nothing" is, in my opinion one of the weakest albums PL has ever released, next to the self-titled. It was neither DM nor metal, just something in-between and it seemed as though the guys were quickly running out of muses to employ in the creation of their music.
Then, "Symbol of Life", a strong album, signaled a more aggressive approach. DM is still present, notably on the excellent "Pray Nightfall" with very impressive vocals of Nick. What's more, this was the first album since "One Second" that could easily be put in the metal basket. It is very well written and shows a lot of progress, and hope for even more metal next time around. Still, miles away from "Icon".
The next release, the self-titled, seemed like a half-hearted effort. On one hand, this was the first album to feature guitar work at least worthy of competing with "Icon" or "DT" (Close your Eyes). On the other, the songwriting was probably some of the worst PL ever featured on the album. Yes, it was even worse than "BIN".
Then came the mighty "In Requiem". The boys were (almost) back in town. This was at "DT" level, but not quite "Icon" yet. Greg remembered he had a guitar and Nick how to write good songs. And "Requiem" or "Ash and Debris" were not only well-written, melodic but AGGRESSIVELY metal, something not heard since "Icon". I remember PL guys promising that it was only the beginning.
"Faith Divides Us - Death Unites Us" (ain't that the truth?) completes the journey back to 1993...then it goes back all the way to the Doom/Death of "Lost Paradise", their FIRST album! The riffs, climate, songwriting + the melodies make me want to agree with the guy who gave it 9.5 (E.Pugliese). This just may be their best work ever (or at least "Icon"'s equal).
Ignore the ones who say PL regressed. They took all the elements of their "nu" era and encased it in effing DOOM of their first four albums. This album makes "Draconian Times" sound like Evanescence in comparison. It is HEAVY, folks. If you are looking for PL from "One Second" thru the self-titled, you will score this new album like David Parker in his utterly unfair, 2 star review. But if you want the very soul, the beauty and the genius of Paradise Lost where they actually sound like Paradise Lost, get this.
There's even some OPETH influence (The Rise of Denial, 2:33-3:36 mark) here and SPEED. When was the last time PL actually wrote a fast song?
Along with the new Megadeth "Endgame", "Faith Dived Us - Death Unites Us" is an album that's a band's quintessence. Like Megadeth, Paradise Lost had once wondered off the mighty road, almost slipping into a sesspool, signaled their return to greatness with a few albums (most notably Megadeth's "United Abomninations" shared "In Requiem's" objective) and are finally both back.
And whereas Megadeth's new album, while leaving "Countdown to Extinction" in dust (along with everything else they did until "Endgame") doesn't quite reach the perfection of "Rust in Peace" or "Peace Sells but Who's Buying", despite heavily borrowing from both,with "FDUDUU" Paradise Lost takes the cake by creating their absolute magnum opus.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Evolve, October 12, 2009

By 

Gherardini "Gherardini" (Heraclitusville) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Faith Divides Us - Death Unites Us (MP3 Download)

I wouldn't have believed it possible for a band that's been together for over 20 years to have improved on their sound. But, incredibly, they have. With Faith Divides Us Death Unites Us, Nick has expanded his vocal range, like a James Hetfield evolved into someone wiser, and the instrumentation has been placed just where it needs to be to compliment it. I'm absolutely enjoying it.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brillant Work, October 10, 2009

By 

E. Pugliese - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Faith Divides Us: Death Unites Us (Audio CD)

Not only is this their best album since Draconian Times( the last album I loved from them), this could be their best album. My God- I'm so blown away from this record, it has taken over my cd player with full force.

This album has it all. Its heavier and harder than Draconian Times, more consistent than Icon and has the moody, doomy sound of Shades of God, but technical and mature in style. The songs are so well-crafted, with hooks, turns, exciting changes and Greg's guitar work is beautiful and dark- straight out of the early to mid 90's. Nick's vocals are all here, to the almost harsh ones, to the hard and rough kind, to the deep gothic to calm and tuneful. After all these years I didn't think they could write a song like Frailty, with so much fresh energy and respect to their metal roots.
Faith Divides Us - Death Unites Us is a powerful and fleshed out record, and has become my new Number 1 album for the year. Fans up to Draconian Times- don't let this pass you by, this record is the real deal. Heavy stuff for sure.

9.5/10 It has the potential to be a 10, I just want to give it some time.