I'm listening to Sentenced-Crimson right now and had the idea for this poll. Two of these bands had their start in death metal while the third was a pioneer in doom/death. Around the same time all three changed their sound and lost some fans and gained others. Amorphis went from a fairly melodic death metal band (the genre known as melodic death was not in force at the time) to a more progressive band with some death vocals which were later taken out completly and released Elegy. Sentenced went from a death metal band to a more melodic metal route but kept the death vocals for one more album with the release of Amok and later changed vocalists. Finally Paradise Lost who was a well respected death/doom band that also influenced the genre now know as gothic metal dropped the death vocals with clean vocals and started to become more gothic with Draconian Times. While many old fans (understandably) think these albums were the begginning of the end, some liked the new direction these bands went.

Which do you think was the best (or least worse) of these?

While these three are some of my favorite albums of the time and nearly impossible to choose between them, I will go with Sentenced on this. Actually, I almost wish they would have stuck to the Amok sound, although I do like what came later. Sentenced found a new sound as a result of Amok and stuck with it until the end of their career. Unfortunatly I lost track of hem but not because I didn't like Down but have now stated to go back and get what I had missed. After Elegy, my interest in Amorphis waned until recently when they re-embraced their death roots. After Draconian, I didn't like what I heard so I lost track of them.

Sentenced easily. I hate death vocals and the new singer had just enough melody in his voice to win me over. They got better with each album he was on IMO. When they disbanded, I thought that would be the end of their sound but fortunately he's now doing vocals for Poisonblack which has morphed into Sentenced II.

Draconian Times for me...love all 3 of those albums, though...

Elegy is one of my favorite albums ever.

Good thread. Too bad I don't really like this style, but this should make for some great discussion.
Of these I only own the Sentenced CD, and I haven't even properly listened to it yet....

Amok. not sure why i like it more. i guess because Draconian Times was so boring & Elegy was to prog sounding. Amok still had great death vocals all the way through, over top those great melodies.

Amok does have some great melodies...

Draconian Times for me. I remember hearing once solemn on a college radio for the first time and liked Paradise Lost ever since. I like Sentenced as well but wasnt crazy about the vocals on Amok. I dont care for Amorphis.

I'd have to go with Sentenced. Even though I love all 3 of those albums listed.

All three are good albums, but I like Sentenced - Amok the most.

I voted for Paradise Lost but that was the last album I liked by them until their latest one "In Requiem". For Amorphis, the Elegy album was the last I cared about them and Sentenced released a few good albums after Amok. But Paradise Lost got my vote.

I don't own "Elegy" or "Amok". So I voted for "Draconian Times". That album is great.