Jesusfreakhideout.com: Debtor, "Dead to the World EP" Review

JFH Indie Review

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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

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