British goth and doom metal icons Paradise Lost have unveiled a new music video for “Salvation,” one of the most haunting tracks from their latest studio album, Ascension. Directed by long-time collaborator Ash Pears, the video delivers a restrained yet cinematic visual interpretation that mirrors the song’s emotional weight.
“Salvation” delves into belief in a higher power and the search for forgiveness after a lifetime of transgressions, often triggered by mortality or profound personal crisis. The video, however, introduces a more contemplative and symbolic narrative, focusing on the bond between two individuals tasked with maintaining a lighthouse — a metaphor for guidance, endurance and inherited responsibility.
Vocalist Nick Holmes explains that this symbolism intentionally blurs the line between hope and ambiguity. The lighthouse may represent protection or peril, leaving viewers to question whether the force being preserved is ultimately benevolent or destructive. This tension underscores the philosophical depth that has long defined Paradise Lost’s artistic identity.
Ascension is the band’s first album in five years, following 2020’s Obsidian. Produced by guitarist Gregor Mackintosh, the record is steeped in sorrow and solemnity, driven by towering riffs and piercing leads. Tracks such as “Tyrants Serenade,” “Serpent on the Cross” and “Silence Like The Grave” guide listeners through a bleak yet compelling sonic journey, reaffirming Paradise Lost’s enduring relevance and creative authority within dark metal.
