HOST is a new music project from Paradise Lost vocalist Nick Holmes and guitarist, songwriter and producer Greg Mackintosh. This new music project takes all the way back to 1999, when Paradise Lost released “Host”, an album that provoked controversy among the band’s fans and even today, some dislike it, while others like it. It’s undoubtedly the most “idiosyncratic” album of Paradise Lost to date.
24 years later, Nick and Greg form HOST in order to experiment freely and convey their other musical ideas in several different ways. Thus, they can please the Paradise Lost fanbase, while also creating something diverse that will appeal to followers of other genres. HOST’s music blends synthpop, ambient, electro-pop, post-punk, and gothic rock. To be honest, I expected this album to be more synth-based and electronic, but it has a lot more guitars than I anticipated. The production is full and tight, and it was done by Greg himself.
Nick’s haunting voice, along with the atmospheric music, adds a nostalgic feeling to the album. It is true that it took me back 24 years to my teenage years, which is what makes it so special to the people of my generation. I guess it also has a lot to offer to the younger music devotees, but the older ones will get a strong dose of the “sweet nostalgia”. I won’t make any specific track references, cuz the album’s esoteric and moody atmosphere allows you to relish it from start to finish.
“IX” is a highly enjoyable and well-crafted album that showcases the incredible musical talents of both Nick Holmes and Greg Mackintosh. I particularly fancy the way they create atmospheric soundscapes that are both ethereal and melancholic. Personally, I’d like them to feature various retro synthwave elements in their next work, but we’ll have to wait and see what those 2 gents have in mind. Nonetheless, if you enjoyed “Host” back in the day, you should definitely check out “IX”, as it is regarded a natural continuation of that album.
