Hostage Life – Sing For The Enemy

Hostage Life‘s Sing For The Enemy is one of four EPs from the recently released Underground Operations EP series (the other three being from Protest The Hero, Bombs Over Providence and Closet Monster); and like most Underground Operations bands, Hostage Life takes the form of an angst-filled political punk band heavy on street punk and sing along anthems – and it comes across quite well. Sadly, the worst part is that Sing For The Enemy is an extremely short EP with only six songs lasting only around fifteen minutes. This really hinders the appreciation value of the EP, because just as you are finally getting into it, it ends. So it takes a good solid five or six listens before the listener can finally appreciate the songs, but once they do, they are set.

Vocalist Colin Lichti has a strong and ever present voice. He is smart, and doesn’t pummel the songs with harsh screams, but rather compliments the music with his biting, raspy vocals sung at an extremely high speed. The backing up gang vocals by the rest of the crew always add an extra layer and depth to the songs, and gets the listener to pump their fist along with them too. And although they have a few sex songs, they have the ever present political attitude questioning sweatshops, racism, and capitalism. There’s no lack of creativity here, with each song having at least two titles (and two even having three), they certainly succeed in making the listener think a little bit.

The songs are short, half of them don’t even reach the two minute mark, and heavy hitting. The punk anthems come blaring at you with twin guitar attacks and heavy drum beats. Its fast paced, melodic hardcore punk that can’t help but energize the listener. Fans of Closet Monster will definitely fall for this one.

If you liked Ceci N’est Pas Un Chanson from The Power Of Music compilation, or were lucky enough to catch the video for Ginny Applejack and the Potato Sack Prom Dress on Much or something (and liked it), then you should definitely give Sing For The Enemy a chance. Just remember, the first few listens it will just fly by without any real reaction from you, the listener. But give it time, and it will grow on you and you will soon be pumping your fist in the air and shouting along with the socially conscious lyrics.