I find some EPs totally essential, and some more or less useless. Those that are made to fulfill record label contracts often belong to the latter category. English doom/death/gothic metal pioneers Paradise Lost had moved under Music for Nations' wings for their third full-length album 'Shades of God' (1992). The band had had "one album every year" pace and so the next album 'Icon' was released in 1993. However, the productions were getting bigger, and 1994 did not see a new PL album. It was time for an EP (the band's first), then...

'Seals the Sense' features four songs, of which two are taken straight from 'Icon'. Yes, they are album versions, not edits or remixes, but the same. They did not come out as singles prior to the album release, but got music videos; however, not featured here as stamp-sized multimedia, thankfully. The band's live set was recorded in Germany for later video release ('Harmony Breaks'), and 'Your Hand in Mine' is taken from there in aural form. It has good production and vibe all-round.

So, we were left with one new song, 'Sweetness'. It is a goodie, for sure, and was a true reason for the fans to get this EP. The main melody is very bittersweet, the song is almost upbeat, actually, and pretty fast for the band, too. It's a step to a new territory for PL, a step forward from 'As I Die'. It did predicted 'Draconian Times', really. Clearly a song from between 'Icon' and 'Draconian Times', but probably recorded during 'Icon' sessions. The song appeared, in its studio form, on a couple 'Icon' reissues later, so it is a bit like rare.

Anyway, the only positive thing about this kind of an EP is that one new song, and the score indicates it. But at least 'Sweetness' exists in some form!

Rating: 4½ (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
08/11/2025 19:28