That those in the Vatican have decided that 2000 should be the international jubilee year is all fine and dandy, but there is a tiny problem: who's going to explain it to David Eugene Edwards?

Not that the singer of American band 16 Horsepower isn't a devout christian, but it's not very likely that you'll catch him beaming with joy Pentecostal style.

Understandably so, because Edwards - born in Denver, Colorado in 1968 - lost his father at an early age, and was raised by his grandfather, a travelling methodist (sic) preacher. And that takes it out on you. True, once he reached puberty he broke away from the church, and he got acquainted with the dark poetry of Hank Williams, Leonard Cohen and, later, Joy division and Nick Cave, but the sermons and intense sombre hymns he heard in his early years never did let go of him. That could already be heard in 1995 when he and his band made the EP Hawk (sic) and the album Sackcloth 'n Ashes a year later, but on their best album so far, Low Estate from 1997, it is obvious altogether.

For instance, take the opening track, 'Brimstone Rock'. It start with a bluegrass-tune played on a banjo. Merrily enough, but then the banjo is restrained, and Edwards' hillbilly voice rises. Shrill and plaintive, as you imagine Jeremiah's voice to be: 'Listen closely to me now my darlin' girl/there's one who's out to have you/and just his breath will/burn your curls/don't you fret. You needn't bother. Don't you fret/here comes the father.

Exactly yes, the devil at your heels. And don't think that that Father comes to save everybody, because two verses later, after an outburst of slide-guitar and drums, it resounds: 'Oye, I heard you talkin'/that little Jesus geek needs a good ass clockin'/Oye I seen your mockin'/don't you dare boy - think my lord hath done forgotten.'

It is that message that resonates the entire cd over an ominous mixture of country-folk and funeral marches. Man is sinful, and only has two options: straight to hell or on his knees before the avenging Lord.