This is the second demo by London-based black/sludge band Paradox. The first demo was released on tape and was limited to 100 copies. It had a horrible sound and the songs were really crude musically. This CDR is limited to 200 copies but the same problems plague this release. First, the sound is just terrible. I am almost positive the drummer is playing trash cans. The guitars are extremely muddy sounding which can be good or bad depending on your tastes. As for the vocals, they are screamed and growled but because of the recording, they sometimes sound warped like the microphone may have been held too close to the mouth. Compared to the first demo, this release is an improvement, especially musically. Paradox combine extreme muddy sludge and dirgish black metal which ends up sounding very extreme, mournful and punkish. This release appeals to me in two ways-on the one hand it is very extreme, fast and crazy and I like it for that, and on the other hand it annoys the heck out of me because it sounds so bad and musically they aren't that great. I sometimes wonder why a band would release something so amateurish. One thing I do appreciate is the honesty in the lyrics about the struggles we go through and they have a lot of good stuff to say about the pitfall of drug abuse and suicide and how Christ is the answer to the world's problems. It's great to see that a band cares when so many supposedly Christian bands are just doing it for fun or popularity. I'm hoping that Paradox will improve musically before they put out their next demo because I see potential.
4/10
Other coverage for this album
HM Magazine #89Reviewed by Doug Van PeltMy friends in the 80s power melodic metal band will kill these guys if they don't change their name (all in Christian love, of course... I'm kidding, alright?!). Actually, this band is quite original, mixing growling death-like vocals with slow doomy metal. The words by the artist express the music here quite adequately: "20 minutes of holy black sludge similar to the Outcasts demo...the songs…Dead Zine 2000Reviewed by Hey YouI don't know what it is about sludge, but I love it. I know D_Lister was ranting about the production, and I definitely understand his plea, but if you have ever heard any popular sludge bands (almost an oxymoron huh?) then you will know that sludge isn't supposed to have great recording. This release has really bad recording, but it's great. I can see how some people will think it's just plain…Dead Zine 2000Reviewed by D_ListerThe back of this CD says that Paradox "Plays exclusively Holy Black Sludge" and well I'm guessing they say this because of the low production of this release. They come from London and have huge hearts for spreading the gospel through the vehicle of music with lyrics that are staggering. I love their message. However their vehicle of choice if it were a car would be a beat up mid-80's Ford Escort…Similar sounding releases
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