Paradox were a Christian black metal band founded in London, England, in 1996 by guitarist and vocalist Michael, using the pseudonym "John Tarantula".
In 2002, Paradox disbanded, releasing their last two songs as part of a compilation album entitled Overcome or Burn Forever in Hell/Arachnid Terror Sampler, which featured tracks from fourteen other artists.
"[7] After this demo, the band line-up underwent a transition, with Michael "John Tarantula" re-forming Paradox with members Jasen "White Stick" on drums, Jeff "Death Warrior" on bass, Sam "Yellow Terror" on guitar, and Grey on vocals.
[3] The band started recording at a professional studio, but then announced in 2002 that they would dissolve with the release of their final two songs on Overcome or Burn Forever in Hell/Arachnid Terror Sampler.
[7][9][10] Michael has cited his influences as mostly material that he listened to before converting Christianity, listing Cathedral's Forest of Equilibrium, Mental Funeral by Autopsy, Unholy's The Second Ring of Power, Beherit's Drawing Down the Moon, Into Darkness by Winter, "most of" My Dying Bride, Havohej, Abruptum, and the vocals of Burzum.
[2][8] He stated that one of the goals of this newsletter was to spread information about bands with positive lyrics, and was one of the main reasons for the release of the Arachnid Terror Sampler.