Once again I found myself late to the party, having only really discovered UK metallers Paradise Lost about five years ago, when I was turned on to Tragic Idol back in 2012. I totally fell in love with their doomy metal sound and almost immediately became a fan. Needless to say, when I was given the opportunity to review, Host (Remastered), the remastered version of the group’s 1999 release, I was more than stoked to give it a spin.
As has been the case recently, many bands a re-releasing older materiel from their catalogs and as I work backwards trying to catch up I am sometimes surprised at the evolution of the act’s sound. Such is the case with em>Host. I know Paradise Lost as the heavy doom-laden UK band that alternates between guttural growling and clean vocals, not the electronic-influenced, industrial-tinged one that I found on Host. To be honest, I was taken by surprise when “So Much Is Lost” came barreling out of the speakers, the heavy electronic almost synth-pop vibe surprised me but in no way did it turn me off. It was just one of those moments where I was fully expecting to be crushed with a heavy wall of doom and instead got almost the exact opposite.
Once I adjusted my preconceived notions, I was able to sit back and take it all in. And, at the end of the day, it is a decent listen. I just think, at least for me, Paradise Lost is best when they are pounding out the doomy riffs and growling at the listener. I think it is cool for a band to experiment and take risks with their sound knowing that your core fan base may not be onboard with the changes, for that I give them mad props. I also think it is great when a band realizes where they excel and where they are strongest and return to form as I feel Paradise Lost have done on their more recent releases.
Host (Remastered) Track Listing:
01. So Much Is Lost
02. Nothing Sacred
03. In All Honesty
04. Harbour
05. Ordinary Days
06. It’s Too Late
07. Permanent Solution
08. Behind the Grey
09. Wreck
10. Made the Same
11. Deep
12. Year of Summer
13. Host
Run Time: 53:13
Release Date: March 16, 2018
Take a gander at the guys’ “So Much Is Lost” lyric video.
