The official lyric video for the song "The Longest Winter" from cult U.K. metallers PARADISE LOST, can be seen below. The track is the first single from the band's upcoming studio album, "Medusa", which will be released on September 1 via Nuclear Blast. PARADISE LOST singer Nick Holmes explains the background of the song: "I read a story about how wildlife was once beginning to flourish in the 30-mile exclusion zone after the Chernobyl disaster in 1986 — particularly the wolf population. It was nice to think that that no matter how much mankind tried to fuck the planet up directly or indirectly, life carries on in some shape or form. But humans are humans and I recently heard that there is already now 'timed' hunting trips organised into the exclusion zone." The pre-order for "Medusa" starts today and you can now purchase the full-length release 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, 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!" In other news, 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."
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