ROCKFLESH’s album of the year. Paradise Lost have covered many many musical bases in their four-decade-long history. For a while in the late 90s, they went full-on electronic and released the underloved Host. Ignored over here it was a massive hit over the continent but frankly will never top any list of the best Paradise Lost albums (that’s “Draconian Times” if you’re asking).

Fast forwarding 24 years Paradise Lost have firmly returned to their metallic roots making monumentally heavy music that once again steadfastly adheres to the doom template of their earlier works. However, founding members Nick Holmes and Gregor MackIntosh have always stood by the much-maligned “Host”. Realising that they probably couldn’t revisit its electronic splendour under the moniker of Paradise Lost they decided to form a side project named after it specifically to reconnect with the music within it.

The first thing to say about the album is it is the best Depeche Mode album since Violator, even though it is not made by Depeche Mode. It is a wonderful recalibration of the new wave synth sound that flooded the market in the mid-80s. There is an irreverent joyfulness to the album. It is dark and foreboding is also simultaneously playful and self-aware.

The simple fact is it is chock full of incredible songs that stay in the memory. It has yo-yoed from the summit of the list ever since it was released back in February. New releases have on numerous occasions unseated its position only for me to realise that I love this album more than them. It’s just such a brilliant collection of well-made and well-polished dark pop songs. Just stunning stunning.