Paradise Lost: Ascension

After a career spanning more than three decades and over two million albums sold, Paradise Lost remain the undisputed kings of the dark side of metal. Formed in Halifax in 1988, the band quickly became known as pioneers of gothic metal with their early, groundbreaking albums such as 1991's aptly titled "Gothic", a blend of heaviness, dark melody and atmosphere. Never a group to remain creatively static, they have explored myriad avenues of dark music throughout their career, from sludgy doom-death roots to conquering the metal mainstream with the massive, lush sounds of 1995's "Draconian Times" to more experimental, electronic influences. They have influenced artists as diverse as Crade Of Filth, HIM, Gatecreeper and Chelsea Wolfe.