` Jesusfreakhideout.com: Debtor, "Dead to the World EP" Review
Get Your Music - and everything else - on Amazon! All purchases made on Amazon through this link earn a commission for Jesusfreakhideout.com!
Get Your Music - and everything else - on Amazon! All purchases made on Amazon through this link earn a commission for Jesusfreakhideout.com!

JFH Indie Review

JFH Indie Music Spotlight Review

Debtor, 'Dead to the World EP'
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE


Debtor
Dead to the World EP

Street Date: November 17, 2023
Style: Punk / Hardcore
Buy It: Bandcamp



One of the great things about the age of music streaming is that it's given me the opportunity to catch up on artists and albums I had previously missed out on. One such artist is the Spirit-filled hardcore band Debtor. Having never heard of them until this past summer, I was taken aback by the incredible sound of their last album, 2011's Bloodseeds, and was simultaneously disappointed to hear that they hadn't released anything since then. But fast forward to November 2023, and the band is back together once more as a duo (with Alan Popoli on vocals, guitar, and bass, and John Gaskill on drums), and teaming up with blossoming label Resuscitation Records for a 4-song EP called Dead to the World.

Though the EP is a quick 12 and a half minutes, it's filled to the brim with Debtor's signature hardcore sound and lyrics that are saturated with the Gospel. However, these aren't simply songs of praise, nor are they necessarily meant to proselytize. Instead, these are songs of lamentation, as well as a call to crucify our flesh for the sake of eternal life. "Burned Over District" is an especially relatable track for (likely) most believers today, as the song laments over friends who once stood side-by-side proclaiming Jesus, but have since left the faith. The song hits with some heavy lyrics ("Why did this happen? Why did we fail? What could I have done? / now I'm left here with this loneliness / the unmet wish for what we could have been / but their path is only their own / what could I have done? / only Your hand can hold us fast"). It doesn't make any false promises about them definitely coming back to the Lord, but ultimately the song does end on a hopeful note, remembering that God's faithful servants will live with Him in everlasting peace.

The second half of the EP focuses heavily on our need for salvation, and how much exactly that salvation costs. "Cruciform" recalls the pain and aging Christ had to suffer through when He died on the cross, and they relate it to the spiritual crucifixion believers must endure. "Holy Garb" sort of follows up on it, pointing out our tendency to be filled with pride from the sacrifices that we make, which hinders us from coming before the Lord with clean hands and a pure heart ("Defiant and proud in holy garb / fronting as humble, but hollow inside"). The song then reminds us that we can't fool God, urging us to repent and remove the pride before we step into eternity, where "everything concealed in holy garb will be revealed." It's bold and urgent lyricism that is a great message for citizens of God's Kingdom.

Amid the outspokenness and serious tone of the songs is a fast-paced, punk-infused hardcore sound that is as bold and in-your-face as the message is. "D.T.T.W." opens up with a sound clip of a sermon that lasts about a minute, but from then on, the band rarely gives the listener a moment to catch his or her breath. For example, see "Cruciform," which is a relentlessly blistering track that destroys the ear drums while convicting the listener. Even the calmer opening of "Burned Over District" carries a sense of urgency, as it almost forces the listener to sit in anticipation for the impending explosion of sound - which, of course, the song delivers. I'd also be remiss if I didn't mention the production, which really makes each instrument shine without any of them overpowering the others (I especially love the way the bass sounds).

The hardcore scene is littered with bands and artists who have made the decision to leave Christ behind and start making music for the world. It's refreshing when a band comes back and does the exact opposite. Debtor is as faithful to God's calling as ever before, and Dead to the World lives up to its name, as the band's interest in dying to self is on full display. If you're not familiar with Debtor, do yourself a favor and check out their back catalog before this one. Then put this one on repeat while we all beg for more.

- Review date: 1/9/24, written by Scott Fryberger of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!






JFH Indie Spotlight Review . Record Label: Resuscitation Records
. Album length: 4 tracks: 12 minutes, 32 seconds
. Street Date: November 17, 2023
. Buy It: Bandcamp
. Buy It: Resuscitation.store (Vinyl)

  1. D.T.T.W. (2:14)
  2. Burned Over District (4:30)
  3. Cruciform (2:18)
  4. Holy Garb (3:28)

 

 

 

go to main Indie review page
go to Indie Review Index

 

                 
Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

Search JFH



This Friday, February 14, 2025
ALBUMS
Anike With Love, Anike - EP [Reach]
Leanna Crawford Still Waters (Deluxe) [Provident]
HeIsTheArtist Confessions of a Fallen Angel - EP [MTS]
Marvin Sapp If I Were an R&B Singer - EP [Elev8]
Sidewalk Prophets Looking Up [Curb]
Spoken Worth Jesus Is (independent)
Denison Witmer Anything At All [Asthmatic Kitty]
Team Omega Something To Chew On (independent)
Two Car Garage Peace & Love (independent)
With Blood Comes Cleansing With Blood Comes Cleansing (independent)

SINGLES
7eventh Time Down His Mercy is More - Single [BEC]
Alphein Lost In Ya Love - Single [Syntax]
Bill B. Get It Right - Single [Syntax]
Josh Baldwin Thank You Jesus (Studio Version) - Single [Bethel]
Jeremy Camp Again - Single [Capitol CMG]
Megan Danielle Honey Sweet - Single [Provident]
Deep Al Brindle Tell Me - Single [Tooth & Nail]
Dex the Nerd Who Loves Jesus Pray About It (feat. Big Fil) - Single [Marv4MoBeats]
Diatheke The Creator - Single [Rottweiler]
DJ Mykael V & 350 350 Waze! - Single (independent)
Drenae & OnBeatMusic Me & You - Single [Syntax]
Elevation Worship I Know A Name (feat. Brandon Lake) - Single [Elevation]
Fine China Fraught With Danger - Single [Velvet Blue]
Keith & Kristyn Getty Here Is Love, Vast as the Ocean (Everlasting Praise) [live] feat. Sandra McCracken - Single [Getty]
Heartbound The Monster I See - Single (independent)
IMRSQD Pure Gold - Single (independent)
Jericko Only You - Single [Syntax]
Lady Redneck Amazing Grace - Single [MTS]
Olivia Lane Who God Says You Are - Single [BEC]
Ethan Luck Going Down - Single (independent)
Meet Your Maker Cowards - Single (independent)
Adam Nigh Bodega Bay (feat. Rachel Nigh) - Single (independent)
P.O.D. I Won't Bow Down (feat. Andres Gimenez) - Single [Mascot]
QEW LVL Up - Single [Syntax]
Simply Worship Light (feat. Tenielle Neda) - Single (independent)
Sixpence None the Richer Kiss Me (Live) - Single [Flatiron]
SNT. VINCENT Invite Me - Single [Syntax]
Solachi Voz Horsepower - Single [Syntax]
Sound Street Heaven In The House - Single [Sonlite]
Sower & Second Adam and the New Creations Prodigal Pulpits - Dual Single (independent)
Strings and Heart Empty Airport - Single (independent)
Brandon Watson Still Hurts - Single (independent)
Wild Harbors Close Eye - Single (independent)

Next Friday, February 21, 2025
ALBUMS
Gather Worship Hear The World That You So Love Sing Back To You [Integrity]
Mat Kearney Mat Kearney (still drowning in nostalgia) [Deluxe] [Middle Kid]
Natalie Layne All Joy [Centricity]
David Leonard Just Jesus [Provident]
Jordan Smith The People's Hymnal [Gaither]

SINGLES
Coqui only Idol - Single [DREAM]
Melody Noel Closer Than I Know - Single (independent)
Phil Wickham The King is in the Room - Single [Fair Trade]



For all release dates, click here!
 

Check out the newest JFH Metal compilation - FREE!
Get JFH's 13th free indie compilation now!
Check out depositphotos for royalty free images