Customer Reviews

Host

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I don't think any Paradise Lost fan was expecting this one. Their previous album, "One Second", traded in their guitar-driven sound for one more steeped in electronic gloom-- with mixed results. There was a backlash among fans and the most popular songs were those few that still incorporated plenty of riffs. So it comes as a complete surprise that "Host" cuts the guitars out almost completely, severing the ties with their earlier style. The results are astounding-- Paradise Lost can write dark music in any form, and they can do it well.
The band tapped Steve Lyon as producer, an excellent choice. Lyon's work with dark wave Depeche Mode offshoot Recoil and the Cure demonstrated an uncanny ability to create moods using massive "walls" of sound. The result is an aural drowning experience for the listener, but one that is immersive without being overbearing. Keyboards and other machines are used to generate foggy and desolate sounds, mixing beautifully with the music. Strings add an organic element to the songs, keeping them from collapsing under the weight of electronic waves. Guitars occasionally show up, but only with supporting roles in the more angry songs on the album.
Singer/lyricist Nick Holmes improved here over his first attempt at "clear" singing in "One Second". On that album his unsteady new style is at times a detriment to the songs. Here he holds his own, turning in impressive performances on such songs as "So Much is Lost" and "Ordinary Days". On the downside, drummer Lee Morris has a diminished role, playing second fiddle to a couple of programmed drum machines, and rythmn guitarist Aaron Aedy is almost completely out of the picture. It's a shame, but it certainly doesn't hurt the album. Lead guitarist/songwriter Greg Mackintosh does an excellent job writing dark music using a different technical formula. "So Much is Lost" and "Behind the Grey" grab the listener immediately with their intense despair. Others take awhile to make an impression. On my first listen through, I didn't catch on to "Wreck", but now I think it's one of the better songs on the album-- its plodding gloom has much more to it than may first grab the attention and is one of the more emotionally touching songs on "Host". Mackintosh also offers some excellent uptempo numbers in "Ordinary Days" and "Year of Summer". These in particular stand out as examples of PL music that is not only well done without the old guitar reliance, but can sustain a fast pace without sacrificing the moody despair of the music.
There are a couple of low moments-- "In All Honesty" doesn't rise above its ironically preachy and annoying character, and the title track "Host" is a sodden bore, but these are buoyed by the rest of the album, making "Host" stand as a triumph for Paradise Lost.

Many people blame Paradise Lost for "selling out". To me, this record is anything but selling out. Selling out would be repeating "Draconian Times" every time they put out a record. Instead "Host" makes PL take a great risk: they explore the direction they took in "one second": in come samplers, atmospheric keyboards and piano and out go overdistorted and gloomy guitar riffs. "Host" goes one step further: guitar riffs are nearly obliterated, and song structure goes beyond the typical metal modular-riff stuff. Bass lines, guitar effects, percussion (drums and beats), piano and even a string section blend in perfectly with Nick's improving vocals, and make songs more balanced than if they were just a plastered collection of riffs. Having said that, "behind the grey" still has a catchy guitar hook. If you liked "One Second", then buy this record. If you're a PL all-time fan only buy this record if you liked the direction they took in "one second". If you like PL but you find "one second" too "soft" or "risky" or "weird" or "alternative" then go out and buy a record by slayer or cradle of filth or any other band that provides the same record over and over again.

Other people on this site underrated this CD. This is my favourite CD, although I definitely enjoy other Paradise Lost CDs. Certainly this CD may disappoint those who favor Paradise Lost's early style, but a band must evolve. Many bands get "worse" as they change. I am convinced that Paradise Lost consistently produces excellent goth metal. I love Host as I love all other Paradise Lost CDs and I think that anyone who does not own it or does not appreciate it is cheating themself.

The latest work of this english band. Its fantastic, the sound has slightly changed since the One Second-Album. Its still slow and gothic, moody-dark, but if you listen to it, earphones really loud and close your eyes - just listen and enjoy. I stumbled upon Paradise Lost when their album Draconian Times came out, while browsing CDs in a store. I listened to D.T. was taken from the first sound. Absolutely great. I have all of their albums, and since the beginning they changed style, refined and did really good work. I will buy the next album as well, without hesitating.

this is excellent music but i don't understand why having one of the greatest rhythm guitar player (aaron) and the greatest lead guitar player (gregor) they put a work based mostly on keyboards and samplers.if they had added more guitar riffs, this could deserved 5 stars.

While not the heaviest thing these guys have ever done, "Host" is very good, and, if given time, will grow on you. Highlights include- "So Much is Lost", "Permanent Solution", "Behind the Grey", and " Nothing Sacred". Now, I can see why some people might not like this cd, but I think that the quality by far outshines many of the more popular releases being shoved down our throats.

This was the first Paradise Lost album I heard and it is a truly fantastic album. I have subsequently bought other album's of theirs - both historic and more recent and still think this is their best work. Sure to the old fans it may be a shock to hear the change of direction, but taking the album at face value it is an awesome piece of work.

The latest release from this much underrated British group finds them trading any remnants of a guitar edge for a very techno sound.However...nothing is lost;on the contrary,the atmosphere,gothic and intense, gains from the electronic treatment.

Well, I really didn't expect much when I put on "Host", knowing that the glory days of Paradise Lost are gone and they changed their sound. But... I was suprised! This is actually better than "Draconian Times" ( I didn't get to hear "One Second" so far)! Nothing can top albums like "Shades of God" or "Icon", but this is definitely a Paradise Lost and not a Depeche Mode album ( not that I heard any of them, but this CD sounds like Paradise Lost in 1999 did, and I really doubt that Depeche Mode ever wrote Songs like "In all Honesty"!) But it isn't all good... "Permanent Solution" just sucks ( one of the most annyoing refrains ever heard ), and "Wreck" is a major bore. The whole Album is too long, believe it or not, but I don't reckognize some songs when I hear them randomly on partys or on the radio! Also, the new Songs don't work in Concert, they leave you standing and staring in disbelief! So, if you are interested in the best moments of Paradise Lost, check out "Icon", "Shades of God" and maybe "Draconian Times". For a long time fan as I am, "Host" is o.k. too, but it sure isn't what people mean when they say "I like Paradise Lost".

I really don't give a damn about their sell-out. There are bands that have tried to appeal to bigger audiences without losing their touch. Sure, nothing surpasses "Gothic" and "Shades Of God" but everyone deserves to earn some money from what he's doing. That's not my problem.

My problem is that Paradise Lost's "Host" is just plain bad. It will sound very original if you have lived in a closet for 15 years and just emerged out of it. If you don't belong to this category then just don't buy this piece of s**t.

If I wanted to hear Depeche Mode, I'd put on their original masterpieces...

This cd is extreamly insulting not only to Lost's fans (not that they care) but to any REAL music lover.

Avoid at all costs.