YHWH Nailgun
{{Short description|American rock band}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = YHWH Nailgun
| image = YHWH Nailgun live in DC April 2025.jpg
| landscape = yes
| caption = YHWH Nailgun performing in 2025
| origin = Philadelphia, United States
| genre = {{hlist|Experimental rock|post-punk|post-rock}}
| years_active = 2020–present
| label = AD 93
| spinoff_of = Godcaster
| website = https://yhwhnailgun.com/
| current_members = Zack Borzone
Saguiv Rosenstock
Jack Tobias
Sam Pickard
| past_members =
}}
YHWH Nailgun (pronounced Yahweh Nailgun{{Efn|YHWH is the name of God in the Hebrew Bible; see Tetragrammaton for further information.|name=name}}) is an American experimental rock band formed in 2020, known for their abrasive sound that blends elements of punk, noise, and electronic music. The quartet consists of vocalist Zack Borzone, drummer Sam Pickard, guitarist Saguiv Rosenstock, and synthesist Jack Tobias. Their debut album, 45 Pounds, released in 2025 on the London label AD 93, received critical acclaim for its innovative approach to post-rock, post-punk and noise rock.{{cite web |title=45 Pounds by YHWH Nailgun |url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/45-pounds/yhwh-nailgun |website=Metacritic |access-date=9 April 2025 |language=en}}
History
YHWH Nailgun originated during the COVID-19 lockdowns in Philadelphia, where roommates Zack Borzone and Sam Pickard began collaborating musically.{{cite web |last1=Ravens |first1=Chal |last2=Schwartz |first2=Sophie |title=Their Songs Sound Like Controlled Explosions |url=https://i-d.co/article/yhwh-nailgun-interview/ |website=i-D |access-date=May 23, 2025 |date=February 5, 2025}} They later relocated to New York City, expanding the lineup by adding Jack Tobias on synthesizers and Saguiv Rosenstock on guitar. Rosenstock initially joined as a producer for their debut EP, YHWH Nailgun (2022), but eventually became a full-time member. The band quickly gained attention in the underground music scene,{{cite web |last1=Krohn |first1=Zans Brady |last2=Turock |first2=Ben |title=YHWH Nailgun Plays The Long Game |url=https://www.bylinebyline.com/articles/yhwh-nailgun |website=By the Byline |access-date=May 23, 2025 |date=May 23, 2025}} performing at DIY venues and festivals, including SXSW.{{cite web |last1=Bell |first1=Kate |title=Weeping Icon, YHWH Nailgun, JWC @ Alphaville |url=https://fulltimeaesthetic.com/2022/11/weeping-icon-yhwh-nailgun-jwc-alphaville |website=Full Time Aesthetic |access-date=May 23, 2025 |date=November 23, 2022}}{{cite web |last1=Davis |first1=Ted |title=YHWH Nailgun’s technical rock will rip you to smithereens |url=https://www.thefader.com/2025/02/03/yhwh-nailgun-penetrator-album-gen-f-interview |website=The Fader |access-date=May 23, 2025 |date=February 3, 2025}}
The band released their debut full-length in 2025, 45 Pounds, which was met with critical acclaim.{{cite web |last1=Zanes |first1=Anna |title=YHWH Nailgun find calmness in chaos |url=https://www.altpress.com/yhwh-nailgun-45-pounds-interview/ |website=Alt Press |access-date=May 23, 2025 |date=March 20, 2025}}{{cite web |last1=Kelly |first1=Chris |title=YHWH Nailgun defies classification with music both sacred and profane |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/2025/04/09/yhwh-nailgun-concert-dc/ |website=The Washington Post |access-date=May 23, 2025 |date=April 9, 2025 |url-access=registration}}
Musical style
YHWH Nailgun's music is characterized by its fusion of dissonant motifs,{{cite web |title=YHWH Nailgun: “I remember thinking: what would I like to see instead of this bullshit?” |url=https://crackmagazine.net/article/profiles/yhwh-nailgun-interview-45-pounds/ |website=Crack Magazine |access-date=May 23, 2025 |date=May 3, 2025}} polyrhythmic patterns, and explosive noise elements.{{cite web |last1=Cartledge |first1=Luke |title=Screaming inward with YHWH Nailgun |url=https://loudandquiet.substack.com/p/screaming-inward-with-yhwh-nailgun |website=Loud and Quiet |access-date=May 22, 2025 |date=March 10, 2025}} Drummer Sam Pickard's use of rototoms and complex rhythms has been highlighted as a defining feature of their sound.{{cite web |last1=Larson |first1=Jeremy D. |title=YHWH Nailgun: 45 Pounds Album Review |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/yhwh-nailgun-45-pounds |website=Pitchfork |publisher=Conde Nast |access-date=May 23, 2025}} Vocalist Zack Borzone delivers lyrics with intense, guttural expressions, drawing comparisons to the raw energy of no-wave pioneers. The band's influences span a wide range, including modern hip-hop, reggae, techno, and avant-garde rock.{{cite web |last1=Jones |first1=Abby |title=Album Of The Week: YHWH Nailgun 45 Pounds |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2300678/album-of-the-week-yhwh-nailgun-45-pounds/reviews/album-of-the-week/ |website=Stereogum |access-date=May 23, 2025 |date=March 18, 2025}}{{cite web |last1=Beaumont-Thomas |first1=Ben |title=YHWH Nailgun: 45 Pounds review – a singular spin on funky NYC post-punk |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/mar/21/yhwh-nailgun-45-pounds-review-punk-funk-new-york |website=The Guardian |access-date=May 23, 2025 |date=March 21, 2025}}
Members
= Current members =
- Zack Borzone – vocals (2020–present)
- Sam Pickard – drums (2020–present)
- Jack Tobias – synthesizer, electronics (2020–present)
- Saguiv Rosenstock – guitar (2022–present)
Discography
=Studio albums=
=Extended plays=
| class= "wikitable"
! Album ! Year ! Label |
| YHWH Nailgun
| 2022 | Self-released |
| No Midwife and I Wingflap
| 2022 | Ramp Local |
= Singles =
| class= "wikitable"
! Single ! Year ! Label |
| "Mallet"
| 2020 | Self-released |
| "Look at Me, I'm a Rainer"
| 2022 | Ramp Local |
| "Castrato Raw (Fullback)"
| 2023 |rowspan="5"| AD 93 |
| "Tear Pusher"
| 2023 |
| "Penetrator"
| 2024 |
| "Sickle Walk"
| 2025 |
| "Animal Death Already Breathing"
| 2025 |
References
=Notes=
{{notelist}}
=Citations=
{{reflist|30em}}