Hope of the States

The Profile

Hope of the States are an English indie/post-rock band from Chichester, formed in 2000. Their debut album The Lost Riots (2004), produced by Ken Thomas, won critical praise for its orchestral textures and intensity, followed by Left (2006) before disbanding in 2006.

Formed at the end of 2000 in Chichester; music blends rock with strings, violins and occasional brass; lyrics and titles evoke epic, revolutionary and pre-apocalyptic atmospheres. The Lost Riots (2004) includes tracks such as Enemies/Friends, Black Dollar Bills, 66 Sleepers to Summer, Don't Go To Pieces and 1776 (with a hidden track). Produced by Ken Thomas. Left (2006) features singles Blood Meridian and Sing It Out.

Reviews hail The Lost Riots as a brilliant, emotionally charged debut blending rock with strings and epic, pre-apocalyptic tones. Standout cuts include Black Dollar Bills, Enemies/Friends, and The Red The White The Black The Blue. Left continues the orchestrated, violin-laced approach; Blood Meridian is praised while Sing It Out draws mixed notes. Sam Herlihy’s raw voice is deemed emotive despite being divisive.