Hostage CalmUpon hearing the opening instrumental track on Hostage Calm's debut full-length, "Lens", I'm left with a bewilderment feeling. I came into this review with next-to-no knowledge about this band or their music. I recall their demo building up some hype around this Connecticut hardcore band not too long ago, however that is the extent of my knowledge, a hardcore band from Connecticut featuring ex members of At All Costs. If you've heard AAC, you know that I expected a bit more straightforward style of New England hardcore. An eclectic and relaxing instrumental is possibly the last thing I expected.
The surprises don't end there for this album. The New England hardcore influence of With Honor/Ambitions and Bane are present, but it only makes up one-third of the influence and sound of this CD. The clean and intricate guitars throw mid 90's New York post-hardcore into the mix with obvious nods to Quicksand and Texas Is The Reason. The final third of Hostage Calm's blend is that of late 80's Dischord-style post-hardcore and emo. And when I say "emo", it is in reference to the original, true subgenre of hardcore that was introduced by DC bands such as Embrace and Rites Of Spring. Hostage Calm's well-versed and melodic vocals also draw from other well-known Dischord acts such as Dag Nasty and Shudder To Think. When all is said and done you are left with catchy, melodic hardcore that is both well-written lyrically and very well played musically which can be quite rare when dealing with either emo or post-hardcore influenced bands.
The artwork is subtle yet eye-catching with its grayscale imagery, mixing up traditional punk (handmade message written on a coat on the back cover) with post-hardcore styled images (a lone figure sitting in an empty stadium on the front cover). The artwork adds to this already strong release. I highly recommend you give Hostage Calm the time of day.
Rating: 4.8/5
Songs Worthy of Replay: "Interchangeable Parts", "Lacuna (Where Certainty Sleeps)" & " Audible"
Synopsis: I enjoyed At All Costs for the short time that they were around, yet Hostage Calm has already proven themselves as a much more relevant and enjoyable band. Hopefully, this group will be around a lot longer than At All Costs were.