Hail The Sun on "Mental Knife," Sobriety and Insecurity

Post-hardcore darlings Hail The Sun recently released their fourth LP, "Mental Knife"-an album that heavily explores the idealistic desire to surgically remove the less-than-desirable aspects of our behavior and personalities. In this APTV exclusive, frontman and drummer, Donovan Melero, opens up about the razor-sharp social commentary of the record and why the idea of a mental knife is universally relatable.
Melero also discussed his nine year sobriety and how his addictive personality fueled the creative process and lyrical through-line of the record. Make sure you're ready to take notes, because Melero also provides a list of bands that have been influential to Hail The Sun's musical career that you definitely need to check out for yourself.
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction and/or substance abuse, you can find help here:
drugabuse.com/...
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[@enigma1247]

HTS is quite literally my favorite band.

[@leech1355]

For me it’s Circa Survive but Donovan and his projects are second, his lyrics + vocals just haunt the shit out of me

[@stevenoverlord]

Same.

[@patrickkrenz515]

The album is incredible. I've never listened to an album on repeat this much. Such an inspiring dude.

[@moonsets-on_you]

fav song?: mine is A Lesson in Lust

[@Cobalt985]

Man, I really relate more to Donovan seeing him here. The way I talk is so similar and I totally understand using substances for social interaction and to cope with low self-esteem. I never ended up falling any further than caffeine, nicotine, and especially weed, but the mechanism is the same - just doing it "every once in a while", using earlier and earlier and more often, now you're doing it every day and you feel like shit (or worse- you feel alright as long as you're using). Edited to say, _holy shit_ - I'm also just obsessed with the idea that anything's possible, and that we just create these boxes for ourselves and confine us.

[@dylanbechtell3756]

Keep goin! Glad to see the positive thoughts!

[@rogergoza3180]

For those who don’t know Donovan is also in a band with Dance Gavin Dance’s Will Swan called Sianvar

[@IMBIGTBLEED12]

will swan is a beast

[@IndianaStoned2012]

BUT WHERE ADDICTED!!! TO US!!! FUCK LOVE!!! THIS IS ONLY CAUSING US HARM!!!! RIDING ON THE DOPAMINE STORM!!!!

[@jeffbell4434]

Yeah everyone knows that bro.

[@Jabberwocky237]

@@jeffbell4434 and his comment is for those who don't...

[@beastside9400]

Sianvar, Hail The Sun and Dance Gavin Dance are my favorite bands. Donovan. I’ve got nothing but love for you brother ❤️ Thank you for all of Mental Knife and Wake. And omg Glass Half Empty 🤦🏾‍♂️❤️

[@tedwooter]

Fuck it all anywayyyyyy

[@michaelwarden6775]

@@tedwooter DO I HAVE TO LEARN TO LIVE GIVING MORE THAN IM GETTINGGGGG

[@moonsets-on_you]

@@michaelwarden6775 FUCK IT ALL ANYWAYYYYYY, I will...NEVER BE AT PEEAAACCEEE

[@c12486]

"NOT that I wanna KILL ANYONE" lmao this theme has remained in their music through New Age Filth. They use it really well

[@ollie2111]

That part of the vid made me think so strongly of "Will They Blame Me if You Go Disappearing" 😂😂. Like, okay buddy thank you for clarifying, I wasn't sure if I should be a little worried or not 😂.

[@UnhxlyKellz]

i go to sleep listening to their albums at night its almost like a ritual same with circa survive i listen to their albums when im going to sleep i actually found both on soundcloud i believe is how i heard of them and been in love ever since

[@IMBIGTBLEED12]

i think this should be a thing for every album that gets released

[@TheDungeonMasterz]

So lucky to see HTS and Donovan live a couple years ago for the Mental Knife tour. Best concert ever. Got a drumstick the Allen broke while playing and threw into the crowd. Freaking treasure. Same drumstick Don used. One of my most prized possessions.

[@ollie2111]

Omg I had a similar experience! For me it was for their most recent album as of writing this, New Age Filth. I got a VIP ticket so including some VIP goodies and extra performances, we all got to be front stage since VIP tickets got in early. 100% best concert experience ever and I am so itching to go to another one.

[@ollie2111]

Omg I had a similar experience! For me it was for their most recent album as of writing this, New Age Filth. I got a VIP ticket so including some VIP goodies and extra performances, we all got to be front stage since VIP tickets got in early. 100% best concert experience ever and I am so itching to go to another one.

[@ollie2111]

Also got a drumstick. I think its awesome they throw those in the crowd so people get to keep little treasures

[@rubedogg1406]

One of my biggest inspirations as a musician/drummer. Just to talk to him for a few minutes and shake his hand would be so awesome..

[@SydneeAlvarez-i2e]

Don’t meet ur heroes 😭 all im gonna say.

[@Ant-gu6vz]

​@@SydneeAlvarez-i2e did you meet donny?

[@ollie2111]

I have seen his penmanship, I think the unique scribble mess of it is quite endearing, even if definitely a bit hard to read 😆. What a chill & sweet guy.

[@cutesound9563]

Who disliked this? WHY? I always come back to this video.

[@MakaylaTheBest]

Ugh this is so amazing to hear, I’m in recovery too, it’s so great to hear of someone who is talented and successful, and he’s speaking recovery talk too, can’t wait to see them this week

[@ollie2111]

That is wonderful, keep going strong

[@carolinemurdock3038]

This is such a rad inside look I love it

[@AlexaIoana]

I fell for this guy's words so hard I broke a rib

[@thymusicman]

Just heard about Hail The Sun today.. man alot of this hits home. Love hearing this shit, helps alot.

[@alvindavisii9692]

This is a pretty dope inside look.. Thanks A.P.

[@withsailsahead]

Such an inspiration ugh

[@NRM550]

such an absolute inspiration man, keep it up, we all love you

[@IndianaStoned2012]

These dude are amazing!!! Love The eps Secret Wars and elephantiasis are fucking stellar! Plus the ending track Secret Wars and Eight Ball are beautiful songs.Gives me goosebumps every time I listen to them 🤯

[@bearcub710]

Dude, I saw VIS open for Stolas and became an instant fan. I'm kicking myself that it's taken me so long to finally get around to HtS but I'm here now, saw you at Rockbar in Vegas recently, and I'm loving all of the music. As an addict in recovery and huge Swancore fan I feel it deeply. Thanks Hail the Sun!

[@arturomlk92]

These guys are fucking awesome.

[@j0kehuman]

I love this mans so much!

[@fallinqq4youu]

I love this! Thank you for this

[@jpa4572]

If you guys do head to Aussie please lord jesus come to New Zealand as well!

[@TeddyParker]

So weird to be in a position to listen to bands now who say The Mars Volta was a major inspiration. And thank god HtS exists. Because I don't wanna be in a world without bands like AtDI, Mars Volta, HtS, etc.

[@dylonlord4784]

376 likes and 0 dislikes "balanced as all things should be"

[@heavenchord72]

Thank you

[@ryantapscott2282]

On existence and a lesson in lust are my favorites off the album!

[@v.e2035]

I Fucking love you so much Donovan, your musical language is one my soul responds tto... thank you ✊💋🤘🔥💖

[@BrucifyMe]

yo I fucking love this guy

[@francojuarez3685]

hii, someone can translate to spanish what donovan says ?? or put subtitles in spanish please ?? (sorry for my bad english ._.)

[@yaalicea]

Someone send this to Jimmy Fallon fot his look alike bit,

[@tdbla98]

On existence is so great though! I do understand the reason they don't want to play it live though.

[@tedwooter]

What's the reason?

[@ryangoodenow2518]

Guys talking about their insecurity in this country is so taboo and I'm fucking sick of it. Lack of competent male role models is the driving force behind this growing issue. This is what we need to focus on, strengthening bonds between our brothers and holding each other to a standard. We are responsible for our collective despair and together we can break it!

[@tdbla98]

Donovan, how about lobotomies?

[@stevenoverlord]

Wtf lol

[@leannacollins5489]

Off brand vic fuentes anyone? Edit: ok I'm just saying they look a lil bit alike chill ppl omg yall can't take humor😑🙄

[@ghxstely]

Yassss

[@sierrabinondo5733]

no? lmao

[@MyoticTesseract]

lol no

[@kenbo787]

Vic wishes he was as talented as Donovan

[@kenbo787]

How bout no