EP Review: Hostile Array - "Trauma"
“Hostile Array taps into the modern scene and gives it a fresh twist”
by Jesse Smith
There are a handful of bands spread around the country that I have their finger on the pulse of perfection and success. These are the hidden jams that not many people are aware of, but they are in reach of just taking off. Hostile Array is a modern post hardcore band from Maryland that has their sh*t together. Finding their entrance to the scene in 2018 with their self-titled first album, The band is now releasing their newest EP titled “Trauma”. Listening back to their older material for reference and then listening to the new EP, I can without a doubt say this is a huge bar raiser for this group and they really have their finger on the pulse of what is hot in 2023. Balancing very well executed and catchy hooks and guitar driven heaviness, Hostile Array has taken the shift of modern heavy music and made it their own. Keeping the songs unique individually and familiar to the rest of the scene has grabbed my attention and made me a true fan…. Let’s talk about it.
Artwork for Hostile Array’s EP, Trauma
Opening the EP, they chose to kick it off with high intensity and energy. The song Wounds has a nice little lead in intro that kicks it up and doesn’t let it die. This is the first look into the big chrouses that the band seems to be masters at writing, they do call them hooks for a reason. The main thing about this opening track is the speed and energy, even if the guitars cut or it’s a build up the tempo is still pretty fast and you can just feel it in the song as it’s making your heart race. Opening off hot and heavy, the next track Numb has a brighter tone as the guitar leads are higher notes and makes you feel a little lighter and happier. The same can not be said for the track Heavy which is a slower vibed song and is heavier on the heart. The band does a great job at catering to different influences and keeping the scene as a whole in mind. Bands like Bad Omens and I Prevail are very popular bands that have a well crafted “mainstream” sound that has a little mix of all the alternative genres. The thing that really helps with the mixing is the use of electronics. The song Cult, which is probably my favorite song, is the song that is different from all the rest. With the use of 808’s and really solid melody, the song dances with the modern sad boy sound with the heavier post hardcore instrumentation.
The music industry for alternative music has changed in the last 2 years and for a lot of bands, they have adapted the way hip hop and EDM have been releasing music and that is a single at a time. 4 out of 5 of these tracks have been released as singles and rightfully so because they all bang and deserve to be singles! This honestly is the #1 way to release music in 2023 with streaming being the crushingly dominant way to enjoy music. Which leads me to the newest song Scars which is the triumphant end of the EP. Ending with aggression and emotion, like Wounds as the lead off, Scars sounds like it would be the final song. With some big accented hits, and the solitary screams the band finishes out the EP with something new and with a bang.
I was pleasantly surprised with how good this band was. As I looked them up to see what they had going on, the band’s image and aesthetic looked really good, their streams are solid for a band that doesn’t tour and play much, I really was impressed. Having been in local music scenes and kept up with some local openers I’ve seen, We all can tell a band that has really done their homework and understands the assignment. The bands that make you question “Why aren't they signed and bigger”. Like I said earlier, they have their finger on the pulse of breaking and they are on the right track musically and socially to do it….Keep an eye on this band, and if you see them on a show flier, go take a look because the next thing they’re going to need is just get in front of more eyes, can I can guarantee they won’t disappoint.