I write all the music and Nick writes all the lyrics. All kinds of music inspires me, from bands like TROUBLE, PENTAGRAM, COIL etc. to films like "Jesus Christ Superstar", "Hellraiser" and "In the Name of the Rose".
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Writing songs for PARADISE LOST is a huge challenge. We don't just write riffs. We have to write whole musical progressions that can catch atmosphere and depict sadness.
- Gregor Mackintosh / Paradise Lost interview, Isten #5, 1990
PARADISE LOST released their debut album, Lost Paradise, on this day in 1990.
All of the lyrics deal mainly with feelings of anguish and depression, though they do have hidden meanings. "Our Saviour" is about how hypocritical religion is, and "Internal Tormen" is about the feelngs of an intelligent person trapped in the body of a cripple.
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I am sick of hearing gore lyrics. I don't think we'll broaden the lyrical scope. We have a very surreal way of looking at things. So maybe we'll start a trend for abstract writing styles, who knows?
- Gregor Mackintosh / Paradise Lost interview, Isten #5, 1990
Lost Paradise was the first PARADISE LOST album recorded at Academy Music Studio. Other bands that produced their first releases at Academy during the early nineties included MY DYING BRIDE, ANATHEMA, CRADLE OF FILTH and PRIMORDIAL.
I am quite pleased with the album's productions although I can understand people who prefer te demo. The album production was too safe and we hope to have a more radical production on our second album.
- Gregor Mackintosh / Paradise Lost interview, Isten #5, 1990
The cover artwork was created by British artist Duncan Fegredo, who also designed DARKTHRONE's Soulside Journey cover.
If we were to record the lp again, I reckon we would do it a hell of a lot better! For a start I aren't happy with the guitar sound at all! Still everything else is ok. The most difficult part is the drums perhaps, and the actual mixing! Takes ages.... Apart from that it's pretty easy.......
Nick Holmes / Paradise Lost interview, Slayer #8, 1991