HolyName is a spiritually-minded metalcore/drone hybrid band, which is the best way I can describe them! They call their sound “Holy Drone Violent Worship” which I can’t think of another band taking that approach – it definitely piqued my interest. There are times of meditative drone and times of violent worship throughout the album with lyrics to lift the listener above our mundane existence. There is a pervading sacred atmosphere to the entire album which isn’t easy to do with metal.
HolyName came from the ashes of the legendary Sleeping Giant when Tommy Green (Sleeping Giant) and his friend Joe Holt recruited from their church community nationwide to make a worship “mix-tape”. This project attracted the attention of Facedown Records in 2021. They released four singles in quick succession that year with not much news in term of an album until almost a year. January 13, 2023 was the street date for this debut album.
HolyName’s branding is steeped in Eastern Orthodoxy and early church imagery which flows from Tommy’s discovery of the roots of his faith. After a season of death and profound brokenness, Tommy dove into understanding the early church and grew in love with the ancient liturgical practices of Eastern Orthodoxy. The new album is his love letter to Christ and tribute to Eastern Orthodoxy.
HolyName is preparing to bring their aggressive worship to the masses on February 17th. The band will be streaming a performance live on Veeps at 8:00 PM EST (Feb 18, 2023 – 2:00 AM CET), their first-ever live appearance. Featured artists on the livestream will include Brian “Head” Welch (Korn), Brook Reeves (Impending Doom) and Ryan Clark (Demon Hunter), among other guest appearances!
With their self-titled debut album headed for a January 13th release date on Facedown Records, HolyName have recently dropped yet another track from it. The latest to emerge is ‘The Sect’, which features a guest spot from Demon Hunter frontman Ryan Clark.