We caught up with Greg Mackintosh of Paradise Lost and Host fame to discuss everything from the inspirations of marring heavy music with electronics, why modern metal might be a little “soft,” when he feels happiest creating music, and much more!

Pre-order IX, the debut album from HOST available Feb 24th!

00:00 Getting back electronic music after Paradise Lost went heavy again
02:24 Why he decided to get back to programming music for a new project
04:43 How Paradise Lost pioneered the electronic shift in metal
07:35 The use of the name Host for the band and what it’s meant to be
10:27 Where Greg found his love for electronic music in the first place
12:32 His biggest inspirations musically for Host
15:34 The story of how Nick Holmes got involved with the project
17:24 Who the album is meant for, metal fan or not
19:40 Writing melancholy music and his own mental state when writing
22:08 How he feels about happy music
24:40 Where he finds the willpower after 35 years of making music
27:40 How he went from guitar to synths
30:24 The most difficult work he’s ever recorded
33:54 Host taking the stage live