Hostile Array Confront Trauma and Control on ‘Underneath’

Underneath, Hostile Array’s newest EP harnesses metalcore strength with sleek edge-to-detail processing and leaving behind toxic patterns.

The Maryland band’s newest collection of songs ties the title track together with singles “Survive” and “Slow Decay” through themes of perseverance and desire for self-progress.

Mental health is an often-discussed subject in metal and alternative music, but vocalist Brendan Frey approaches it with refreshing honesty and precise imagery.

“I don’t think that I’m okay / I’m still fighting fires that remain / The ashes in my head won’t let me be,” he repeats on “Underneath.”

Frey reflects on unlearning harmful ideals stemming from his own upbringing in rigid fundamentalist circles:

“‘Survive’ is about feeling abandoned by those who were supposed to support you, embracing your true self, and persevering despite being cast aside. This has been my experience in several circles growing up in religious communities. ‘Slow Decay’ is about processing some of the truly unhinged and hateful things fundamentalist religious beliefs can make someone believe. For me, it took reworking my entire foundation and carefully deconstructing my worldview to become a happier and more loving person.”

“Slow Decay,” featuring Andy Cizek (Monuments, Makari), details the conflict one may feel when stuck in a destructive situation: “Afraid to leave and ashamed to be honest / Sacrificed my youth.”

Hostile Array ‘Underneath’ album artwork

Hostile Array enlisted another member of the metalcore community, Chris Davis (The Ghost Inside, Texas In July), to produce the record. Frey credits Davis with helping the band finalize “Slow Decay.”

“Most of the music remained pretty true to the demos we had coming into the studio, but we were really struggling with nailing the breakdown on ‘Slow Decay.’ We knew we wanted something to hit extra hard since it was the heaviest song we’d written in a while. After hours of stressing and passing the guitar around the room several times, Chris helped us nail down the final idea that made it on the track.”

Hostile Array craft their songs around the driving riffs and tension of metalcore while embracing alt-pop synths, orchestral sounds and ambient sections that allow the song’s composition to shine. Underneath, as its name suggests, is a layered and profound release.

Underneath follows 2023’s Trauma EP, exploring similar themes of organized religion, control and self-awakening.