THE BEAST

"Blood & Chaos", the new video from cult U.K. metallers PARADISE LOST, can be seen below. The song is taken from the band's new album, "Medusa", which will be released on September 1 via Nuclear Blast.

With "Blood & Chaos", PARADISE LOST presents a dystopian short film about the struggle for survival in a post-apocalyptic world. Director Ash Pears from AshTV Music Video explains: "The track talks about elements of savagery and basic instinct. It felt right to set the video in a dark and dystopian post electrical-blackout world, where those who remain are essentially scavengers, and barely survivors. Things they once took for granted like batteries, matches and lighters are now the most sought after. This confusing new world has quickly turned upside down what's important to our character; and also makes him question what he would kill for. Our fantastic lead actor Nick Lester fully threw himself at this role — he really brought it to life alongside his collaborations with our other very talented actors Adele, Cris and Matt.

"The band and their team have been very supportive. I've shot with them before on a performance for 'Beneath Broken Earth', but this narrative-based video is an entirely different animal. They are the kind of band who know what they like but equally give great freedom in how to bring the track to life. It was Nick and Greg who offered advice on the idea of savagery and basic instinct, so I took those ideas and developed them into a story."

You can pre-order "Medusa" in several formats: standard jewelcase CD digibook including two bonus tracks; various colored 180-gram LP (black, clear, copper, gray+red bi-colored, gold and NB anniversary green); collector's box including the digibook, gatefold picture disc, the seven-inch single of "Blood & Chaos", a candle, poster, band photo card and poster flag; mailorder edition collector's box, including the digibook, gatefold picture disc, a seven-inch single featuring the tracks "Shrines" and "Symbolic Virtue", a candle, poster, band photo card, poster flag and exclusive cover artwork.

Pre-order the physical editions of the new album, including special merchandise, at this location.

"Medusa" track listing:

01. Fearless Sky (8:30)
02. Gods Of Ancient (5:50)
03. From The Gallows (3:42)
04. The Longest Winter (4:31)
05. Medusa (6:20)
06. No Passage For The Dead (4:16)
07. Blood & Chaos (3:51)
08. Until The Grave (5:41)

Bonus tracks:

09. Frozen Illusion (5:45)
10. Shrines (3:59)
11. Symbolic Virtue (4:38)

The artwork was created by Branca Studio and shows the infamous Gorgone Medusa from Greek mythology, carrying venomous snakes as hair and turning anyone into stone who would dare to look into her eyes.

PARADISE LOST guitarist Greg Mackintosh states about the artwork: "Whilst we were writing 'Medusa' and realizing what the new songs were becoming, we had to find an artist to reflect this direction. After searching around for a while, I found Branca Studios. They have a keen eye for design and their modern take on retro artwork really fit the bill. What they have come up with is a blending of colorful-yet-retro styling, whilst maintaining the classic PARADISE LOST feel."

About the choice to make her the figurehead of this new album, singer Nick Holmes adds: "I was intrigued about a greater meaning and thinking more along the lines of what Medusa represents metaphorically. 'Medusa' as a title works in many ways. From a nihilist perspective, when I read the description of 'Medusa' on the Wikipedia page: 'Attempts to avoid looking into Medusa's eyes represents avoiding the ostensibly depressing reality that the universe is meaningless.' The title was pretty much in the bag!"

PARADISE LOST has announced a very special release show that will take place in Stuttgart at the iconic LKA Longhorn. Only on this night of September 1, PARADISE LOST will perform its entire new album. A short time later, PARADISE LOST will embark for an extensive European journey and bring their label mates and U.S. doomsters PALLBEARER, as well as SINISTRO from Portugal.

Regarding the sound of "Medusa", Nick told Italy's Linea Rock: "I would say if you've ever heard every album by PARADISE LOST, it's closest to the 'Shades Of God' album, our third album. It's an album carrying on from that, but hopefully it's a lot more sophisticated and it's better produced and better played than that album." Gregor added: "Style-wise, it's more between 'Gothic' and 'Shades Of God' era, with modern touches to it as well." Via Blabbermouth