Host is a British band featuring Paradise Lost vocalist Nick Holmes and guitarist Greg Mackintosh. The band was launched in 2020 when the two members decided to merge their musical talents to create a unique sound. Their debut album, ‘IX,’ is set to be released on February 24th, 2023, via Nuclear Blast Records.
The album will be available in a variety of formats: CD, Vinyl, Digital, and Limited Edition CD/Vinyl bundle. The bundle will include a bonus track and a limited edition poster.
Born in England on January 7th, 1971, Nick Holmes (Nicholas John Arthur Holmes) is best known as the lead singer of the British gothic doom metal band Paradise Lost. Since the 1991 release of their debut album, ‘Lost Paradise’ (1990), he has served as the group’s frontman and appeared on all of their studio albums, and he is credited for helping to shape the band’s sound with his unique vocal delivery.
He also provided backing vocals for other albums, such as for the track ‘3 AM’ from the 1998 solo debut album of Liv Kristine, ‘Deus Ex Machina’ and ‘For a Voice Like Thunder’ featuring on the album ‘Rituals’ (2016) by Greek Rotting Christ, to name a few.
His performance on ‘3 AM’ was a critical success and is considered a classic in the electronic gothic genre. Holmes’ duet contribution to the song was well-received by fans and critics and has been cited as one of the album’s standout moments.
Holmes’ performance on ‘For a Voice Like Thunder’ was praised for adding a unique atmosphere to the album. His vocal style was able to bridge the gap between the doom metal of the album and the more melodic elements of the band’s sound. He was also praised for his ability to switch from a death metal growl to a more melodic vocal style.
Holmes has also made guest appearances on other bands’ albums, most notably on Trees of Eternity’s 2016 album ‘Hour of the Nightingale’ and Front Line Assembly’s 2019 album ‘Wake Up the Coma.’
In addition to his work with Paradise Lost, it is essential to keep in mind that Nick Holmes is also the lead singer for the 1998-formed death metal ensemble Bloodbath. He has performed with the group since 2014 on the albums ‘Grand Morbid Funeral’ (2014), ‘The Arrow of Satan is Drawn’ (2018), and ‘Survival of the Sickest’ (2022).
His counterpart, Greg Mackintosh (Gregory Stephen Mackintosh), born October 14th, 1969, is best known as the lead guitarist and founding member of Paradise Lost.
Speaking about Host’s debut album, ‘IX’ is a captivating and eclectic collection of songs. Combining goth, electro, and new darkwave elements, the album creates a unified front of darkness that is interwoven with orchestration and textures. The album also showcases Holmes’ and Mackintosh’s songwriting prowess, with lush soundscapes and carefully placed guitar lines.
The first single from the album, published on October 30th, 2022, ‘Tomorrow’s Sky,’ is a cascading, synth-laden track driven by an insatiable pop vocal hook. The accompanying music video was directed and produced by Ash Pears of AshTV. The video has already gained a lot of attention and praise from fans and critics alike, and it is a remarkable remix of their debut single by North American synthwave producer Gost.
Gost comments that “After listening to the original track, I knew the vocals and overall vibe would fit well with the Gost sound. The vocals sat effortlessly into my mix, and the guitar solos are super smooth. Stoked to work with Host on this, and I cannot wait to share the remix with my fans.”
Host released their second video single, ‘Hiding From Tomorrow,’ on November 25th, 2022. The track is a brooding goth rock anthem featuring intense riffs and driving drums. Vocalist Nick Holmes trade off lines, creating an impressive vocal ambiance that is sure to captivate metal and goth music fans, akin to Siouxsie and the Banshees and The Sisters of Mercy.
Vocalist Nick Holmes comments, “‘Hiding From Tomorrow’ was one of the first songs we wrote for the Host project, and although the title would suggest otherwise, it was written a few years prior to the pandemic. With that in mind, I was thinking about the things that keep you awake at night, and although life is something that should never be taken for granted, uncertainty is a big part of it, and none of us know what’s around the corner.”
Ultimately, Host have recently dropped the third single, ‘My Only Escape,’ this month, on January 13th. The track is an epic metal anthem featuring soaring vocals from Nick Holmes and Greg Mackintosh, as well as heavy, melodic riffs and driving drums. The song blends elements of metal, goth, and new wave, creating a soundscape of darkness and intensity. In addition, the song’s hauntingly beautiful music video animation serves as the perfect accompaniment to the track, with its stunning visuals and captivating imagery.
The accompanying music video was directed by Patric Ullaeus, who has worked with renowned metal bands such as Dragonforce, In Flames, and Lacuna Coil. The video follows a woman as she navigates a dark and surreal landscape, all while being chased by a mysterious, spectral figure. The video also features a number of visual metaphors and symbols, which provide a deeper insight into the meaning behind the song.
Regarding the origins of Host, it can trace back to the West Yorkshire music clubs of the mid-to-late 1980s. Holmes and Mackintosh were already certified heavy metal fanatics, but they were also drawn to the new wave and goth music scenes. The pounding rhythms, sublime melodies, and undercurrent of darkness drew them in, creating immediate earworms and a desire to delve further.
The band also recently released a cover of ‘The Sound of Silence’ as a pre-order bonus track for ‘IX’. The cover was produced and arranged by Mackintosh and features a haunting vocal performance from Holmes.
Host is sure to be an exciting new addition to the music scene. With the combination of Holmes and Mackintosh’s talents, their debut album ‘IX’ is sure to be a hit. Fans are sure to enjoy the band’s unique sound and the captivating visuals from their videos.
Overall, ‘IX’ looks to be an exciting and innovative force in the music industry for years to come. With the combination of Holmes and Mackintosh’s talents, their debut album is sure to be a hit. Fans are sure to enjoy the band’s unique sound and the captivating visuals from their videos.
To mark the release of their debut album ‘IX’ on February 24th, they will be at Crash Records at 5 pm for a signing session.
