Interviews About Albums: Hostile Array - Underneath (2024)

In this new interview, we sat down with the American Metalcore band Hostile Array to ask questions about their album, "Underneath".

1. What can you say about this new EP?

I see “Underneath” as the natural evolution of our sound. It takes elements from the more modern, densely synth-layered material we have put out more recently and combines it with some of the raw aggression we captured on our debut album.

2. What is the meaning of the EP name?

The EP title comes from the opening track, “Underneath”, which deals with the fear of pushing away those you love due to struggles with mental health.

3. Who is the composer of the EP?

The whole band had input in the process, but Garrison (guitar) and myself (Brendan, vocals) were the primary songwriters. Chris Davis (primary engineer/producer), Nick Sadler (co-writer), and Andrew Simmons (production engineer/producer) also had significant input in the writing process as well.

4. If you had to pick one song, which one would you pick?

“Underneath” is my personal favorite, but “Slow Decay” is also a close second for me.

5. Is there a special message in this EP? If there is what is it?

The only theme that really ties each song together is self-reflection and struggling to establish personal growth.

6. Are there some lyrics that you'd love to share?

“Slow Decay” has some of the most honest lyrics I’ve ever written. It really captures how it felt for me to go through the painful yet necessary process of moving past religious fear and guilt.

“Fear has kept me here, left me so fucking jaded and alone. I felt the slow decay of all I’ve ever known”

7. Which inspirations have been important for this album? Like musically or friends, family, someone you'd love to thank especially?

Spiritbox, Dayseeker, Underoath, and The Plot In You were all big influences for me during this writing process.

8. Something to add?

If you like the new EP, make sure to share the hell out of it and stream it as much as you can. Being an independent band means that we don’t have any other stakeholders taking a cut of the little bit of streaming royalties we get, and every cent of that goes back into funding our creative process.