Tragic Illusion 25
Paradise Lost · 2013
59 min · 14 tracks · doom metal
A haunting blend of gothic melodies and heavy doom-laden riffs creates a melancholic soundscape of introspective despair.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Loneliness Remains Start here — Opening with somber melodies, this track encapsulates the album's emotional depth and sets the tone for the reflective journey ahead.
-
→
Faith Divides Us – Death Unites Us (Lost in Prague orchestra mix) — This reimagined version showcases the band’s ability to integrate orchestral elements into their signature sound, enhancing its thematic weight.
-
→
The Last Fallen Saviour — With its melodic progression and poignant lyrics, this track stands out as a highlight of despair and redemption within the collection.
-
→
Godless — At only two minutes long, this track delivers a raw intensity that contrasts sharply with the album's more expansive pieces.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album effectively blends orchestral arrangements with classic metal elements, showcasing strong craftsmanship and distinctiveness.
What we noticed
- The album features reimagined versions of earlier tracks, incorporating orchestral elements that enhance the original compositions.
- Each track maintains a consistent tempo, with heavy riffs and melodic passages interspersed throughout.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady mid-tempo progression
- melancholic orchestral depth
- reflective listening in solitude
- emotional weight in every track
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of instant gratification
- prefer upbeat, fast-paced music
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Late Career Highlight — Marks a return to roots and showcases the band's continued relevance.
- Themes
- gothic despair· orchestral melancholy· loneliness in darkness
- Career context
- Released in 2013, Tragic Illusion 25 marked Paradise Lost's return to their roots after experimenting with more mainstream sounds in previous albums. This album serves as both a compilation of rarities and a celebration of the band's enduring legacy in the death-doom and gothic metal scenes, showcasing their evolution while revisiting earlier themes.
- Stylistic neighbors
- My Dying Bride· Anathema· Cathedral
Tracklist
- 1 Loneliness Remains Start here 4:56
- 2 Never Take Me Alive 4:42
- 3 Ending Through Changes 4:07
- 4 The Last Fallen Saviour 3:39
- 5 Last Regret (Lost in Prague orchestra mix) 4:19
- 6 Faith Divides Us – Death Unites Us (Lost in Prague orchestra mix) 4:16
- 7 Cardinal Zero 4:26
- 8 Back on Disaster 4:12
- 9 Sons of Perdition 4:11
- 10 Godless 2:15
- 11 Missing 4:27
- 12 Silent in Heart 3:21
- 13 Gothic 2013 5:13
- 14 Our Saviour 2013 5:28
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
The Angel and the Dark River
My Dying Bride
Shares similar themes of gothic despair with heavy, melancholic instrumentation.
Eternity
Anathema
Explores introspective melancholy with orchestral elements and a dark atmosphere.
Ghosts of Loss
Swallow the Sun
Combines haunting melodies and heavy riffs to evoke a sense of loneliness in darkness.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.