Host - Paradise Lost

...were no doubt keen for Host to bring a return to the guitar-driven sound of the early albums, but if that's so they were to be disappointed. In fact, Paradise Lost surprised everyone by putting the guitars in the background, keyboards to the fore, and making an album that still draws comparisons to Depeche Mode.

It may sound a strange thing to say, but apart from the complete volte-face in musical direction, the album is still very ...
...but when it comes to Host I was really torn - both because all the tracks are near equally good but also so similar, both musically and in terms of subject matter. Apart from the songs mentioned above, 'Made The Same' perhaps stood out for me, but then this is the kind of album where each time the next song comes on I think 'oh yeah, I like this one'. Often I like some variety in an album, but there are some that are so consistent throughout I not ... more

I have to admit I wasn't really into music much in the early 90s, and certainly not the heavier end of the spectrum. I suspect most of you missed the early days of the northern England death/doom metal movement too, but in those days Paradise Lost sat alongside Anathema and My Dying Bride in making exceedingly dark and heavy music.

Personally, although I have one of their earlier albums - Gothic - I don't really have much time for that sort of thing. While some see it as 'selling out', I'm happy that all three bands have generally become more melodic as they've matured. In fact, I only got into Paradise Lost from this album (Host), and haven't explored much of their earlier material. For those that followed their whole career, it's been an interesting progression: tipped as the new Iron Maiden in the mid-90s, around Draconian Times, they then made the bold move of incorporating keyboards and electronics on One Second - a move which split their fanbase. Thus, when the band released this, their seventh album, in 1999, it was clearly a pivotal moment.

Some fans were no doubt keen for Host to bring a return to the guitar-driven sound of the early albums, but if that's so they were to be disappointed. In fact, Paradise Lost surprised everyone by putting the guitars in the background, keyboards to the fore, and making an album that still draws comparisons to Depeche Mode.

It may sound a strange thing to say, but apart from the complete volte-face in musical direction, the album is still very recognizably Paradise Lost. Nick Holmes still sings in his low, mumbling tone - considerably cleaner than his early gruntings, but probably closer to spoken word than what many would consider singing. It's a kind of deadpan delivery that works well.

Lyrically, the album is similarly downbeat. It opens with 'So Much Is Lost', which pretty much sets the tone for what's to follow ("All of my life is changing, always some rearranging/ So much is lost, so much disharmony"). The first taste I got was 'Behind The Grey', which opens with the matter-of-fact "I can't see much truth in what's being spoken/ I can't see much hope in what lays broken" before the chorus' exhortation to "Pray for that day when you'll leave behind the grey". Probably the track that really sold the album to me, however, was 'Permanent Solution' ("Lord I feel I tried much more than most/ And I've done the things I wanted to/ It's that useless contribution that leads to a solution for me/ You don't need to search for answers or hide behind romances/ Again…/ For that very sign to leave this world").

I'm sure by now you don't need me to spell things out. This is a dark, depressing album. It's not in an angsty-angry at the world teenager sort of way - rather, I'd use the word 'melancholy'. Lines like "My life is not too whole…/ And it feels like its going wrong again" ('Nothing Sacred') are delivered with a calm acceptance, the resignation that comes from successive disappointment. This is not a record to slam your door and stamp your feet to, it's more for wallowing in your misery. (But, either way, I'd obviously keep it well clear of anyone who looks depressed enough to cut their wrists…).

The mood is set by song-writing that is simple and direct. Only the closing title track nudges above five minutes, the rest being most about three or four minutes, but with relatively few lyrics - a few repeated lines serve to drive the point across, and the choruses are often catchy, despite their morose tone.

It's also a remarkably consistent record. Usually I only burn a few favourite songs off each album onto my computer, but when it comes to Host I was really torn - both because all the tracks are near equally good but also so similar, both musically and in terms of subject matter. Apart from the songs mentioned above, 'Made The Same' perhaps stood out for me, but then this is the kind of album where each time the next song comes on I think 'oh yeah, I like this one'. Often I like some variety in an album, but there are some that are so consistent throughout I not only forgive the lack but couldn't even imagine it - certainly it's a good thing that the band didn't include a taken 'old school' metal track, as it would have ruined the flow.

The only problem is that, as I suggested earlier, Host alienated many of the bands older, traditional fans, without really getting enough exposure to win over many new ones. (At least, in this country - apparently Paradise Lost are far more successful in parts of Europe). I saw them live in my first year of university (2000-01), and for a band once so hotly tipped it was a shame they couldn't even sell out the Oxford Zodiac. (This may also be the time to point out that, following Host, the band have turned back to their heavier roots, although without abandoning the keyboards and more melodic sensibilities).

The obvious question, then, is who Host might appeal to? Well, aside from the obvious Depeche Mode comparison, the other one that comes immediately to mind is Joy Division - while not exactly sound-alikes, this is a very dark, electronically-driven rock record that may appeal to many of the same people. Perhaps it's not too dissimilar from some of what HIM have produced, although without the 'boyband' image. For fans of more serious goth/metal bands like Katatonia, Misery Loves Co and Type O Negative, it might just be a bit too soft and commercial, though I certainly think it's worth exploring if you're tempted towards listening to something a bit lighter (in terms of music, if not mood).

Currently (as of 26/03/07) most of Paradise Lost's back catalogue seems to be selling cheap, and Host can be picked up for £4.97 on Amazon.co.uk or £4.95 on 101cd.com. While it might have divided opinion, at that price if you like the sound of what you've heard I think it's worth making your own mind up.

 

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