HolyName// Three Bar Cross

Label // Self Released

5 out of 5 high fives

HolyName is back just in time for the Christmas season with a powerful new four-song EP, Blood. The band is a compelling two-man venture: fronted by the veteran Tommy Green (Sleeping Giant) on incredibly evocative, almost hymnal vocals, with Joe HoltT masterfully handling all instruments and production. The result is a unique blend of sound they call “Holy Drone Violent Worship”—a fascinating mix of mathy, Meshuggah-esque, and drone-heavy guitar parts, perfectly matched with ancient, sacred vocal patterns. Creating an equally mosh and worship worthy sound.

Kicking off the album is "Christ Is Risen", A track that your parents in the 80's wouldn't have let you listen to as they would have sworn was a backwards satanic message...they wouldn't have been more wrong.... built on a heavy influence from the Greek Orthodox Church's liturgy and theology. HolyName wastes no time letting you know their foundation singing portions of Eastern Orthodox church hymns about the mystery of communion to the backdrop of crushing, detuned chords, devastating bass drops, and haunting, dissident guitars.

Leading perfectly into into "Ritual" a mid-tempo groove, featuring HolyName's signature hymnal like vocals. HolyName is not afraid to jump right into the deep end here, immediately addressing the tangible struggle between tangible earthly sight and spiritual faith, and mixing this message with the very Eastern Orthodox opinionated and mystical view of communion.

Next up is "Stained Glass" - a song previously released in 2004. The lyrics explore the struggle between the desire to know and serve God and the inescapable failures of man and church leaders that lead to deep hurt. The track plays with the powerful, ironic image of finding oneself outside the traditional church walls, yet still being able to see and find a sacred space with God "through stained glass"—a visual reminder of enduring faith and sacred beauty often found in historical church buildings. This recurring theological theme gives the band a depth that in my opinion, is unmatched by any of their contemporaries.

Musically, the title track, "Blood", offers a slight but intriguing detour from previous HolyName songs, introducing a piano part that manages to be both regal and haunting. Lyrically, this song is the most personally raw, addressing the part we all play in our own suffering and the regrets that inevitably follow. Yet, HolyName doesn't leave the listener in despair. The song ends on a repeated, reflective refrain of letting the "blood flow to who we are," an unmistakable reminder, given the band's Christian disposition, of the healing and redemptive power of Jesus Christ and the blood spilled for all.

With the highest production quality, creative musician ship and lyrical content that is both sincere and profound, HolyName continue to craft some the most unique and spiritually heavy music in the scene.

"Well I’ve been the wounded
I’ve been the wolf
It's no secret
Life is suffering and we are the culprits of all our disarray
In fact take a good look I’m sure you’ll see
We become the monsters we create"

Favorite Track:

"Blood"

Listen & Buy it here!