HOST – The interview with Gregor Mackintosh

„At first it was going to be instrumental (…) the whole point for me is to explore different avenues of my musical interests (…) The reaction has been overwhelmingly positive (…) I really want to play live with Host…” – Gregor Mackintosh

Gregor! I think (although it’s probably boring for you) that it is necessary to dispel the doubts of many fans that HOST is not a continuation of the controversial album “Host” of PARADISE LOST… Despite some stylistic similarities, this album did not inspire the creation of the HOST project…

The only inspiration from the album “Host” was its title…

Did you expect consequences when choosing this name due to the mistaken connection of HOST with “Host”?

I called it Host initially as a working title for a solo project where I would revisit some of the influences that inspired the Paradise Lost album of the same name. I didn’t really give too much thought about the connotations of that going forward. When I got Nick involved it seemed even more apt that we keep the name Host.

But on the other hand, I really like the album “Host” and to be honest, its appearance did not surprise me at the time, because the end of the 90s of the twentieth century resulted in stylistic changes in many Metal bands, which was initiated by, for example, METALLICA… Was it the influence of Grunge music, which in the 90s started to dominate and many bands wanted to record something that would be noticed? Or maybe this stylistic change was a reflection of the prevailing decadence before the end of the Century/Millennium?

I can only speak for myself and Paradise Lost regarding this. The reason we veered away from traditional metal influences and sounds was to keep ourselves happy in what we were doing. We had recorded and toured back to back for nearly 4 years solid with the Icon and Draconian Times albums and we were just bored of the repetition and wanted to try something that felt refreshing. We started this on the One Second album and went all out on the Host album. Apart from the album Shades of God they are still to this day the most fun I’ve had recording.

Anyway, definitely the HOST project is for fans of the “Host” album (?)

Not especially. I think if you you were a fan of that album then you may be predisposed to like this material but it’s not exclusive because ultimately it depends on the strength of the songs.

And what appeared in the circle of your interests earlier? Metal music or New Wave, Synth Pop, Gothic? In the 90s, many famous bands admitted to being fascinated by DEPECHE MODE…

I got into gothic/new wave/synth at the same time I got into punk which was around 1981. I didn’t get into metal until around 1984 with Motorhead and Hellhammer and then early European thrash. It was all down to my older brothers eclectic record collection which was mainly punk but with goth and new wave. Very little metal. When punk started to crossover with metal in 84/85 I went along with it too.

Are you familiar with the conflicts between Metalheads and fans of DEPECHE MODE? In Poland, in the early 90s there were fights between these fans. It was definitely a fight for the right to be “black”…

Haha, no I’ve never heard of that, it sounds very childish.

And so it was. Childishness… Although the cover of HOST’s debut album “IX” is definitely dominated by white. But this white is actually black (in a symbolic sense)…

Erm I guess so. The artwork on the cover and in the booklet is meant to be somewhere between serene and dreary in it’s muted shades.

Surely the mannequins also have a symbolic meaning?

Of course. They represent humanity. The various stages of decay, solitude verses the mob mentality, and the fleeting reality of love and existence amongst many other fallible traits of people and society.

Like the black in the “Divine Emotion” music video is symbolic?

I guess that’s a similar thing but it’s more the directors take on it.

Greg, the initiative to create HOST came from you? Did Nick Holmes think long to join?

At first it was going to be instrumental. Then I toyed with the idea of female vocals, but as the songs came together it became apparent to me that I should ask Nick to do it. He said yes straight away.

Is the division in the creation of works clear? Greg – all the music (both guitar and keyboard) and Nick – vocals and lyrics?

Pretty much. I do a bit of arranging and rearranging with vocal lines but the division is pretty clear.

However, you gave some drum parts (in three tracks) to Jaime Gomez Arellando… Why?

When we were doing pre production for the album, three of the tracks sounded like they needed to be bigger and more organic, so I asked Gomez who already had a drum kit set up at his studio to try playing on them. He copied what I had programmed and we compared the results. I feel it just added a little lift to the album as a whole.

And there were also violin parts performed by Alicia Nurho… The violin contrasts with electronic music in an interesting way…

Yes I wanted improv violin on some tracks to tie things together and take away from some of the repetition. Alicia has worked on some Paradise Lost stuff before with great results so I knew she would get it.

Are the inspirations for writing the lyrics the same as in PARADISE LOST?

No I don’t think so. With the Host project they were more reflective and repetitive to tie in with the music. Much more inward looking I would say.

The album “IX” has been resounding for a few months in the music space around the world. What signals do you receive about the reaction to this album?

The reaction has been overwhelmingly positive. I expected a 50/50 response because I guess that’s what we got when we did the Paradise Lost album Host, but it seems the rock scene has opened up a bit.

For me this album is really great! And I don’t suck up! I don’t get anything better than this interview for me, hahaha… Seriously… HOST is very emotionally mature and dark music, in which themes of electronic and gothic music from the 80s/90s are combined with guitar playing and a pinch of contemporary breaths (even in the form of post-rock patents)… What musical inspirations influenced the creation of “IX”?

Haha you basically summed it up in your question. Lots of different 80’s music, some nineties electronica, a little contemporary music and a touch of sound design.

HOST is your next band after PARADISE LOST. As we know, there are also BLOODBATH and STRIGOI… And it’s beautiful that each of these bands offers different music (well, maybe STRIGOI and BLOODBATH are the closest stylistically)… Does such a stylistic discrepancy make you feel fulfilled as musicians, composers? I don’t think it’s all just for the money…

It’s definitely not for the money. Maybe Bloodbath makes some money I don’t know, Strigoi loses money but is fun to do. Host is similar. But yes the whole point for me is to explore different avenues of my musical interests without having everything leak into Paradise Lost and lose the point of that band.

Will we see HOST at concerts?

Million dollar question. Gigging and touring is not as easy as it used to be because it’s not financially possible. I really want to play live with Host. I think it would be interesting. We need some decent offers so we can make it work logistically. Watch this space I guess.

What will be the next step for HOST now?

Same as above. Hopefully take it live and be thankful that the response to the album is so good.

Greg, thank you for the interview! I leave the last words to HOST…

Sorrow filled blessings.

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