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THE HOSTAGE HEART
"Where
There is Despair, Hope" (Five Point; 2004)
Reviewed by Christopher J. Kelter
The Hostage Heart, unknown to me up until the
point I sat down to review “Where There Is Despair, Hope,” play a chaotic
and abrasive blend of hardcore, death metal riffing, and quasi-thrash with the
solid backing of positive lyrics, straightedge philosophy, and Christian
beliefs. It’s always refreshing to hear a band that concerns itself with the
more positive things in life.
“Where There Is Despair, Hope” is a five song EP that effectively gets the
band out into the record stores and the public eye where, despite impressive
touring, they probably remain largely unknown to most in the metal community.
However, “Where There Is Despair, Hope” is an impressive start and will
allow the band to spread their good words via their frenetic metalcore
maelstrom. Alternately technically precise and savagely chaotic, The Hostage
Heart proves to be part of the ever-exploding ‘metalcore’ genre. And I said
to myself, “Could The Hostage Heart be from Massachusetts?” Well, yes, The
Hostage Heart are from Massachusetts! The Hostage Heart are yet another solid
entry into the hotbed of modern metal – and Massachusetts can claim another
band that has sprouted from the fertile grounds of creative expression.
The Hostage Heart are young upstarts and they’ve been signed by an upstart
label called Five Point – methinks it’s a marriage made in Heaven. I also
think that anyone into The Dillinger Escape Plan and Everytime I Die will
probably only hear good things in “Where There Is Despair, Hope.” I’m also
guessing that The Hostage Heart will go forth into the future with a ferocity
rarely seen in metal circles.
“Where There Is Despair, Hope” was produced by Ken Susi (Unearth) and The
Hostage Heart. Music this technical and frantic needs great production and Susi
and the band deliver in spades.
The Hostage Heart: Chris Diamantis on vocals, Nate Lane and Jared Colby on
guitars, Nate Fiske on bass, and Geoff Bahre on drums.
For more information visit http://www.thehostageheart.com/.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
Copyright © 2005 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights
reserved.
Revised:
28 Oct 2024 12:36:40 -0500.
