Host (Paradise Lost album) explained

Host
Type:studio
Artist:Paradise Lost
Cover:Host (album).jpg
Released:24 May 1999[1]
Recorded:September 1998 – February 1999
Genre:
Label:EMI
Producer:Steve Lyon
Prev Title:One Second
Prev Year:1997
Next Title:Believe in Nothing
Next Year:2001

Host is the seventh studio album by British gothic metal band Paradise Lost.

Background and content

Following One Second, Host saw the band moving further away from their previous metal sound to something more akin to a melancholic style of synth-pop incorporating downtempo, leftfield, and trance electronic styles. Songs were constructed primarily of programmed drums and synthesizer melodies, with simple, rock-style guitar added for choruses. Vocalist Nick Holmes resolved to simple melodies with his clean singing style, often doubled and harmonized; the resultant material resembled crossover acts like Psykosonik and electronic band Depeche Mode.

Release and promotion

The singles "So Much Is Lost" and "Permanent Solution" both have music videos released; in an interview, Holmes and Mackintosh explained that the videos were higher budget compared to other videos they made.[2]

Due to an injury, Gregor Mackintosh often played keyboards instead of guitar while touring the album with his guitar technician Milton "Milly" Evans playing his guitar parts.[3]

Reaction and legacy

While the album was critically well received, opinion about it continues to be split. Holmes commented on this album in 2007, stating:

Aedy said Host is the "darkest" Paradise Lost album, but noted the band was not happy with the production.[4] The album was remastered and re-released in 2018.[5]

The album eventually served as the inspiration of Holmes' and Mackintosh's side-project Host; in the press release about the formation, Mackintosh noted that "We always stood by Host as an album".[6]

Personnel

Paradise Lost

Additional personnel

Cellists and other string arrangements

Violists

Backing vocals

Production

Album design

Violinists

On tracks 1, 4, 10
On tracks 2, 6, 13

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Paradise Lost – Host on the band's official website. https://web.archive.org/web/20001013082024/http://www.paradiselost.co.uk/discography/host.html. dead. 13 October 2000. 14 July 2019.
  2. Web site: Nuclear Blast Records. 2018-03-08. PARADISE LOST - Host: Nick & Greg on the official Host music videos (OFFICIAL TRAILER). https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211213/X_4PzbxRkuQ . 2021-12-13 . live. YouTube.com.
  3. Web site: Paradise Lost - Bielefeld 2009. J. "Niggels". Uhlenbruch . www.reflectionsofdarkness.com. 26 November 2009 .
  4. Web site: Gothic Rock Official. 2017-10-07. Aaron Aedy Paradise Lost ➤ the One Second and Host days. YouTube.com.
  5. Web site: PARADISE LOST - "Host - Remastered" in March!. 19 January 2018. Nuclear Blast.
  6. Web site: Host Announce Debut Album Via Nuclear Blast. 22 October 2022. MetalSucks.