Formed in 1988 in Halifax, England, Paradise Lost gained recognition with their 1991 breakthrough album Gothic, characterized by dark production and orchestral elements. Their 1992 release Shades of God is often regarded as their pinnacle work, followed by the goth rock-oriented One Second in 1997. The band's musical evolution saw them incorporating trance and downtempo elements in 1999's Host before returning to a more metallic sound with 2002's Symbol of Life, featuring collaborations with Devin Townsend and others. Over the years, the band underwent lineup changes, with new drummer Adrian Erlandsson joining in 2012, and their 2015 and 2017 albums The Plague Within and Medusa revisiting their doom/death metal roots.

Paradise Lost's journey continued with releases through labels like Peaceville Records, Music for Nations, EMI Germany, and Gun Records. Various drummers came and went, including Lee Morris and Jeff Singer, before Adrian Erlandsson's arrival in 2012. Their extensive discography includes 1995's Draconian Times, 2007's In Requiem, and 2010's Faith Divides Us Death Unites Us, showcasing their versatility and enduring influence in the doom metal genre. The band's 15th studio album, Medusa, released in 2017 under Nuclear Blast, exemplifies their enduring commitment to their dark and heavy sound.