Gothic and doom metal pioneers Paradise Lost are set to release their 17th studio album, Ascension, on September 19 via Nuclear Blast Records. This upcoming record marks the band’s first new material in five years, following their critically acclaimed 2020 release, Obsidian. Guitarist Gregor Mackintosh produced the album, with mixing and mastering handled by Lawrence Mackrory. Ascension is poised to be a powerful statement, showcasing the band’s enduring relevance and their unique blend of gothic, death, and doom elements that have captivated fans for over 35 years.
The album’s cover art strikingly features George Frederic Watts’ painting, The Court of Death (1870-1902), a piece housed in London’s Tate Gallery. The painting’s thematic content—depicting Death as an enthroned angel, flanked by allegorical figures and showing the futility of worldly status against its power—perfectly encapsulates Ascension‘s somber and tormented soundscapes, where sorrowful lyrics meet ominous, foreboding riffs.
Vocalist Nick Holmes offered a concise description of the new record, stating: “Ascension is a cavalcade of molten misery, a vigorous sorrow filled stroll through a wicked world of glorious triumph and pitiful tragedy.”
To give fans a preview of their melancholic masterpiece, Paradise Lost has released the album’s first single and accompanying music video, “Silence Like The Grave.” The single is available for streaming now, and the album Ascension is currently available for pre-order.
The full tracklist for Ascension includes ten new songs:
- “Serpent On The Cross“
- “Tyrants Serenade“
- “Salvation“
- “Silence Like The Grave“
- “Lay A Wreath Upon The World“
- “Diluvium“
- “Savage Days“
- “Sirens“
- “Deceivers“
- “The Precipice“
In support of the new album, Paradise Lost has an extensive touring schedule planned. This summer, they will be performing across Europe, including several dates alongside King Diamond and appearances at various festivals. Following these engagements, the band will embark on the first leg of their “Ascension of Europe” tour this fall. Tickets for all upcoming shows are available through their official website.
Paradise Lost Upcoming Tour Dates:
- June 7: Berlin, DE – Columbiahalle (w/King Diamond)
- June 10: Wiesbaden, DE – Schlachthof (w/King Diamond)
- June 11: Tilburg, NL – O13 (w/King Diamond)
- June 13: Oberhausen, DE – Turbinenhalle (w/King Diamond)
- June 14: Ludwigsburg, DE – MHP Arena (w/King Diamond)
- June 16: Milan, IT – Alcatraz (w/King Diamond)
- June 17: Zurich, CH – Komplex 457 (w/King Diamond)
- June 18: Dessel, BE – Graspop Metal Meeting
- June 21: Lublin, PL – Lublin 2025
- June 28: Vana-Vigala, EE – Hard Rock Laager 2025
- June 30: Manchester, UK – Manchester Academy
- July 1: London, UK – Roundhouse
- July 4: Joensuu, FI – Ilovaari Festival 2025
- July 6: Sariyer, TR – Headbangers’ Weekend 2025
- July 10: Malakasa, GR – Rockwave Festival 2025
- July 17: Málaga, ES – Sun and Thunder Festival 2025
- July 31: Bergen, NO – Beyond The Gates 2025
- Aug 1: Czaplinek, PL – Pol’and’Rock Festival
- Aug 8: Jaroměř, CZ – Brutal Assault 2025
- Aug 15: Eindhoven, NL – Dynamo Metal Fest 2025
“Ascension of Europe” Tour – Part 1:
- Oct 9: Manchester, UK – New Century Hall
- Oct 10: Wolverhampton, UK – KK’s Steel Mill
- Oct 11: Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK – Newcastle University
- Oct 12: Glasgow, UK – Glasgow Garage
- Oct 14: Nottingham, UK – Rescue Rooms
- Oct 15: Bristol, UK – Electric
- Oct 16: Southampton, UK – The 1865
- Oct 17: London, UK – Islington Assembly Hall
- Oct 19: Oignies, FR – Tyrant Fest 2025
- Oct 20: Paris, FR – Élysée Montmartre
- Oct 21: Lyon, FR – La Rayonne
- Oct 23: Köln, DE – Live Music Hall
- Oct 24: Esch-Sur-Alzette, LU – Rockhal
- Oct 25: Dornbirn, AT – Conrad Sohm
- Oct 26: Padova, IT – Hall
- Oct 28: Munich, DE – Backstage Werk
- Oct 29: Prague, CZ – Palc Akropolis
- Oct 30: Zagreb, HR – Boogaloo Zagreb
- Oct 31: Vienna, AT – Simm City
- Nov 1: Budapest, HU – Dürer Kert
- Nov 3: Geneva, CH – PTR/L’Usine
- Nov 4: Nürnberg, DE – Z-Bau Biergarten
- Nov 5: Utrecht, NL – Pandora
- Nov 6: Antwerpen, BE – Trix Hall
- Dec 13: Bradford, UK – Bradford Live
