Hail the Sun

Hail the Sun emerged in 2010 as a punishing, progressive post-hardcore unit whose sound fused blastbeats, breakdowns, and technical riffage into a lethal attack. The Chico, California outfit first reached commercial audiences with Culture Scars, their third full-length and Equal Vision Records debut, which entered the Top 40 of the Billboard Top Rock Albums chart. Subsequent releases continued to sharpen the group’s volatile mix of screamo, math rock, and experimental post-hardcore: Mental Knife in 2018, New Age Filth in 2021, and Divine Inner Tension in 2023.

Formed in 2009, the band centered on Donovan Melero on drums and lead vocals, Shane Gann on lead guitar, Aric Garcia on rhythm guitar, and John Stirrat on bass. After issuing the independent album POW! Right in the Kisser! in 2010 and the EP Elephantitis in 2012, Hail the Sun signed with Sacramento-based Blue Swan Records. Their sophomore LP, Wake, arrived in 2014 as the label’s first release from the band and earned widespread critical praise. Following an extensive 2015 tour, the group left Blue Swan for Equal Vision Records.

Culture Scars appeared in July 2016 and quickly registered on the Billboard Rock charts. The band capitalized on that momentum with the 2017 Secret Wars EP, highlighted by the single “1109.” Mental Knife followed in 2018, produced by Saosin’s Beau Burchell. New Age Filth arrived in 2021 and Divine Inner Tension in 2023, both showcasing Hail the Sun at peak intensity through intricate technique and unrelenting force.