Holy Water (The Funeral Portrait song)

"Holy Water" is a song by American rock band The Funeral Portrait. It is the second single from their second album Greetings from Suffocate City and features guest vocals from Five Finger Death Punch frontman Ivan Moody. It also reached number one on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Airplay chart in June 2025.

"Holy Water" is the fourth track on Greetings From Suffocate City and was previously released as a single in 2019.^[1] Frontman Lee Jennings said the song "did super well".^[2]

For the deluxe edition, the band released a new version featuring guest vocals from Ivan Moody.^[3] It was released on February 28, 2025, and was issued as an instant-grat track tied to pre-orders of the album's deluxe edition.^[4] Moody said he was not familiar with the band prior to touring with them in 2024, but became "absolutely hooked" after watching them perform night after night.^[5] After hearing "Holy Water" on the radio, Moody contacted Jennings about the possibility of redoing the song.^[3] Moody was originally intended to appear on the album version of the track, but it did not work out because of timing. Jennings and Moody became friends while touring, and Moody later recorded a new version of the song with the band.^[6] Jennings said that during backstage conversations, Moody offered advice and support. He described working with Moody as "surreal" given Moody's arena-level success and called it a "life-changing moment".^[7] The song was accompanied by a music video,^[8] and Jennings said that Moody's contribution "took it to another level" and helped "tell this chapter" of the song.^[9]

Jennings said that "Holy Water" is one of his most personal and cathartic songs, about confronting dark moments and finding the strength to overcome them. He said the song resonates with audiences during live performances.^[9]

In a review for New Noise Magazine, Zee Caine described the song as a "classic" and a standout track, and noted that it has been performed frequently at the band's live shows.^[1] In a feature by Melodic Magazine, "Holy Water" was listed among the band's top tracks.^[10] In a September 2024 review, MetalPlanetMusic described the song as a "full-on arena anthem" and "a real monster of a track".^[11]

The music video was described as a narrative prequel for the deluxe edition of Greetings From Suffocate City. In it, Jennings interacts with a character called The Priest, through whom Moody appears, and encounters mystical objects and characters called Icons.^[6] The video shows a story in which Jennings gains abilities described as giving him the "power to ignite the souls of fans".^[12] It features gothic-style imagery and was filmed in a canyon in Prescott, Arizona, and an abandoned church in the Poconos, Pennsylvania.^[13] Parts of the video were filmed on a day off between shows in Philadelphia and New York City,^[14] and was directed by Michael Lombardi of Better Noise Films.^[15] Jennings said the shoot was intense and cinematic, and said Moody's "energy and presence took everything to a whole new dimension".^[16]

"Holy Water" debuted at number 21 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.^[13] It then reached No. 1 on June 14, 2025, their second song to do so, and in as many charting entries. The song reached the top in its 18th week on the chart, one week faster than their previous No. 1.^[20]

Credits adapted from Apple Music.^[21]

The Funeral Portrait

• Lee Jennings - lead vocals, composer
• Robert Weston - bass, composer, songwriter
• Brandon Umbanhowar - drums, composer
• Cody Weissinger - guitar, composer
• Caleb Freihaut - guitar, keyboards

Additional musician

• Ivan Moody - guest vocals

Additional credits

• Joshua Landry - songwriter, producer
• Johnny Andrews - composer, producer
• The Funeral Portrait - producer
• Lee M. Rouse - producer