Chicago’s metalcore titans Beneath the Hollow have crafted something extraordinary with “Old Hymns,” a searing examination of generational trauma and masculine identity that hits harder than their bone-crushing riffs. The track, from their upcoming album Heads & Hooves, proves that emotional depth and sonic devastation aren’t mutually exclusive.

The song’s lyrics cut deep, tackling the thorny issue of inherited dysfunction head-on. “I’ve got an image in my mind of what is tantamount to manhood / And it doesn’t look like you” serves as both an indictment and a declaration of independence from toxic patterns. When paired with the track’s relentless instrumental assault and morose melodic chorus, these words take on an almost ritualistic quality – like an exorcism of past demons.

The production is nothing short of masterful. John Douglass (Mr. Bungle, Devildriver) captures the seismic percussion and crushing riffs with crystal clarity, while Rob Kleiner (Billie Eilish, SIA) brings out vocal hooks that soar above the chaos. The near jazz-inspired bridge section provides a moment of contemplative beauty before diving back into the maelstrom.