Justin Nuoffer
Paradise Lost
Milwaukee Metal Fest – 5/16/25
©Justin Nuoffer/NuofferMedia.com
One of the surprise announcements for the Milwaukee Metal Fest this year was Paradise Lost. The gothic doom metalers bring their brand of music to the famed historic halls of The Rave on a very action-packed Friday night. The hallway into the room was overflowing with fans trying to get in and get a spot to watch from. The VIP balcony was packed full. Since 1988, Paradise Lost has slashed and burned its way around the world, delivering its brutal sound. With their eighteenth full-length album coming out this year, they had plenty of material to choose from.
The band took the stage to tremendous applause and blasted their way into “Enchantment” from their most popular release, Draconian Times. As if a bomb had gone off, the fans that had fought and clawed their way into the room broke open a pit. Bodies were flying everywhere. From the moment Nick Holmes started in with his death growls and guttural vocals, you knew they were meant for the Milwaukee Metal Fest lineup. Paradise Lost was impressive. They perform with pinpoint accuracy and incredible technical skills.
Gregor Mackintosh and Aaron Aedy shred through the material with ease. Mackintosh is the primary composer and is considered the godfather of the genre. His stare out to the crowd is as intense as his focus on the songs he is playing. Paradise Lost tore through their setlist and opened the eyes of those who had never seen them before. With songs like “Pity the Sadness,” “Eternal,” “One Second,” and “As I Die” in the mix, they hit the chords with longtime fans. They finished with “Say Just Words” in a truncated set to fit the time constraints. However, it was all they needed to flex the pure power they create. The goth metal giants were unrelenting in their performance.
These British metallers delivered on exactly what they have spent the last 37 years doing. The dimly lit and sweaty Rave room enjoyed every moment Paradise Lost was on that stage. From the cheers and screams of the fans along the barricade to the circle pit in the middle of the room, they had Milwaukee Metal Fest in the palm of their hands. Without a doubt, their upcoming release, Ascension, will be another in a long line of amazing releases.
Check out our Paradise Lost concert photos below:
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