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Nations, 'Hollow - EP'
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Nations
Hollow - EP

Street Date: January 19, 2024
Style: Hardcore
Buy It: AmazonMP3



There is an argument to be made that Spirit filled hardcore has seen its time and place pass from the scene, yet then we are introduced to new and exciting bands like Brazil's own Nations. Combing elements of both post hardcore and progressive metalcore, they create a sound that is at once familiar (think Atonement era Your Memorial or the progressive metalcore of Cliffside) and add just enough nuance to make it their own. With the release of Hollow, Nations seems destined to reestablish a strong Spirit-filled beach head on the stormy waters that make up the hardcore/metalcore scene.

The first thing that jumped out to me upon my initial listen was the focus on truth throughout the EP, as well as dealing with themes of being honest with yourself as well as with God. On the opener, "Warship," the band asks the question "we all walk the same path/ will it matter if we are met with righteousness?" It's a heavy question that leads us to consider the implications of how we live our lives and to consider the weight of our actions across eternity. Another highlight is "Madness," which features Silent Planet's Garrett Russell, which wrestles with the challenges of mental health juxtaposed with that of a loving creator, with Russell screaming "We are defined by Your presence not alone by your guise/ so make me remember how it was again." It's these sections that showcase the band's maturity and the promise of what their future holds going forward.

Lyrics aren't the only defining part of what makes a release solid or mediocre, especially in the indie scene; production and musicianship plays a big role as well. Nations is one of the stronger newer bands in the indie scene, and the production value reminds me a lot of Cliffside's Deeper Wells which was one of the better indie releases from last year. They feature a very solid combination of down-tuned chugging guitars that are as equally comfortable relishing in the technicality of a progressive riff as they are smashing your face in with a hardcore breakdown, accompanied by the steady drumming that keeps the band's wall of sound tight as a unit.

2024 is off to a great start musically as there have been many releases that I have already enjoyed in the past month, while also having many on the horizon that I am excited to dig into. So when I say an album, an EP even, is currently in my top five for my eventual year-end top ten albums list, I hope the reader will take it as high praise for an obscure band and would then give said band a chance.

- Review date: 1/29/24, written by Matt Baldwin of Jesusfreakhideout.com



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. Record Label: None
. Album length: 5 tracks: 19 minutes, 11 seconds
. Street Date: January 19, 2024
. Buy It: AmazonMP3

  1. Warship (3:43)
  2. Arca (3:15)
  3. Madness (4:15)
  4. Identity (3:16)
  5. Reconnecting (4:41)

 

 

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This Wednesday, August 13, 2025
ALBUMS
Various Artists Songs We've Been Trying To Tell You About (And Others We Haven't), Vol. 14 [JFH Music]

This Friday, August 15, 2025
ALBUMS
Mark Bishop Grandkids - EP [Sonlite]
The CCC Collective Brooklyn Culture (independent)
Equippers Worship Awe [DREAM Worship]
The Final Witness Beneath The Altar [Rottweiler]
Grammatrain Flying Collector's Edition CD [Girder]
Grammatrain Lonely House 30th Anniversary Edition CD [Girder]
Katy Nichole Honest Conversations [Centricity]
REFVGE REFVGE 1 [Syntax]
Relentless Pursuit Apocalypsis (independent)
V1 Worship Archives [DREAM]
Joel Vaughn Feel It - EP [DREAM]

SINGLES
ANTHNY no stages - Single [Provident]
Johan Åsgärde Coming Home - Single [Gotee]
Dave Barnes Everything But Mine - Single (independent)
Chris Caro Pain Pt. 3 - Single [Syntax]
Jeff Deyo There is a Fire - Single [NWN]
Drenae Dead Seed - Single [Syntax]
F'rael Pardon My Grace - Single [Syntax]
Jeremy and Adrienne Camp Worthy Of It All / I Exalt Thee (Jeremy and Adrienne Camp Version) - Single [Sparrow]
Linc Worship I Know - Single (independent)
Steven Malcolm All God - Single [Curb]
Jeannie Ortega Little Girl is Gone - Single [Syntax]
outr.cty Testin' Your Luck (ft. Selah the Corner & Dre Murray) - Single [Syntax]
Matt Redman Let Me See Jesus / Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus (feat. Charity Gayle) - Single [Integrity]
Rhymes in Harmony Beautiful Name - Single [Syntax]
Brandon Lake, Phil Wickham, & Elevation Worship So So Good (Live) - Single [Fair Trade]

VINYL
Grammatrain Flying Vinyl [Girder]
Grammatrain Lonely House 30th Anniversary Edition Vinyl [Girder]
Newsboys Going Public Vinyl [Girder]

Next Friday, August 22, 2025
ALBUMS
Lecrae Reconstruction [Reach]
Lizzie Morgan Not My Will [Provident]
Josiah Queen MT. ZION [Capitol CMG]

SINGLES
Dust and Grace Hallelujah - Single [MTS]
Good Weather Forecast Today (feat. Elijah Thomas) - Single [DREAM]
Roxanne Grace Try Again - Single [DREAM]
Mainstream Worship Invitation - Single [DREAM Worship]
V1 Worship Been So Faithful - Single [DREAM Worship]



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