Hillsong United (stylised as Hillsong UNITED or UNITED) is a contemporary worship collective originating from Hillsong Church. Since forming in 1998 out of the church's youth ministry, the group has released fifteen live albums and six studio albums.

Hillsong United
Hillsong United in 2005
Hillsong United in 2005
Background information
Also known asUNITED
OriginSydney, Australia
Genres
Years active1998–present
LabelsHillsong Music
Members
Past members
  • Benjamin William Hastings
  • Taya Gaukrodger
  • Reuben Morgan
  • Marty Sampson
  • Adam Crosariol
  • Brooke Fraser
  • Annie Garratt
  • Sam Knock
  • David Ware
  • David George
  • Peter James
  • Kevin Lee
  • Peter King
  • Timon Klein
  • Marcus Beaumont
  • Nigel Hendroff
  • Nathan Taylor
  • Rolf Wam Fjell
  • Luke Munns
  • Gabriel Kelly
  • Brandon Gillies
  • Matt Tennikoff
  • Hayley Law
  • Jill McCloghry
  • Tulele Faletolu
  • Holly Watson
  • Michelle Fragar
  • Simon Kobler
Websitewww.hillsong.com/united

Band members are involved in Hillsong Church services and also play for the church.[1] The band has toured in a number of countries, leading worship in various places and has an international influence.[2][3][4]

History

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Originally called United Live,[5] Hillsong United was formed in 1998, originating from the youth ministry of Hillsong Church called Powerhouse Youth.[6][7] The band released their first live album Everyday after Darlene Zschech—the worship pastor of the church—suggested for them to record their own CDs.[5] Mentored by Zschech in their early years, the band was first led by Reuben Morgan. Joel Houston and Marty Sampson took over the leadership in 2002.[7][8] The official UNITED logo was designed by drummer Luke Munns in 2002 for To the Ends of the Earth.[9]

After several live albums in the 2000s, Hillsong United released their first full studio album All of the Above in 2007.[7]

The band released their third studio album Zion in February 2013. The album debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 and topped Billboard's Top Christian Albums.[10] The album features "Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)", which has been certified 4x Platinum in the U.S.[11] and was awarded Top Christian Song at the 2016 Billboard Music Awards.[12]

In 2014, Hillsong United was nominated for and won five GMA Dove Awards, including Song of the Year for "Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)".[13][14] The band also received its first ever American Music Awards nomination that year, for Favorite Artist – Contemporary Inspirational, but did not win.[15][16] 2015 saw the band nominated for a second consecutive year in the same category at the 43rd edition of the show.[17] It was also nominated for the first time at that year's Billboard Music Awards in the Top Christian Artist and Top Christian Song categories; it won the former.[18] The band was nominated again at the 2016 Billboard Music Awards, and garnered four nods across all three Christian categories, winning its second consecutive Top Christian Artist award, and its first for Top Christian Song with "Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)".[19] The band won two Dove Awards, including Worship Album of the Year, for its fourth studio album Empires, at the 47th Gospel Music Awards held that October.[20] In 2018, the band received four nominations at the 49th GMA Dove Awards including one for Artist of the Year—it won Recorded Worship Song of the Year for its single "So Will I (100 Billion X)".[21][22]

Members

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  • Joel Houston – worship leader, acoustic guitar, keyboard, percussion
  • Jonathon "JD" Douglass – worship leader, percussion
  • Jad Gillies – worship leader, acoustic guitar and electric guitar
  • Matt Crocker – worship leader, acoustic guitar, percussion
  • Michael Guy Chislett – electric guitar, keyboards, music director, producer
  • Dylan Thomas – electric guitar, keyboards, music director
  • Benjamin "Ben" Tennikoff – keyboard, programming, sampling
  • Jihea Oh – bass guitar
  • Dan McMurray – drums, percussion (2023)

Former

Former members of the band are:[23][24]

  • Reuben Morgan – worship leader, acoustic guitar
  • Marty Sampson – worship leader, acoustic guitar[25]
  • Brooke Fraser – worship leader, acoustic guitar[26]
  • Taya Gaukrodger – worship leader
  • Benjamin William Hastings – worship leader, acoustic guitar, keyboard
  • Raymond Badham – electric guitar
  • Marcus Beaumont – electric guitar
  • Nigel Hendroff – electric guitar
  • Nathan Taylor – electric guitar
  • Timon Klein – electric guitar
  • Matt Tennikoff – bass guitar
  • Adam Crosariol – bass guitar
  • Simon Kobler – drums, percussion
  • Brandon Gillies – drums, percussion
  • Gabriel Kelly – drums, percussion
  • Rolf Wam Fjell – drums, percussion
  • Luke Munns – drums, percussion[27][28]
  • David George – piano, keyboard, synthesizer
  • Peter James – piano, keyboard, synthesizer
  • Kevin Lee – piano, keyboard, synthesizer
  • Peter King – piano, keyboard, synthesizer
  • Dave Ware – worship leader[26]
  • Tulele Faletolu – worship leader
  • Annie Garratt – worship leader[26][29]
  • Sam Knock – worship leader[26]
  • Holly Dawson – worship leader
  • Jill McCloghry – guitar, vocals[26]
  • Michelle Fragar – worship leader


Timeline

Discography

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Studio albums

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List of albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
AUS
[30]
CAN
[31]
NLD
[32]
NOR
[33]
NZ
[34]
US
[35]
US
Christ.

[36]
All of the Above
  • Released: 17 March 2007 (AUS)
  • Label: Hillsong Music Australia
6 13 60 1
Aftermath
  • Released: 15 February 2011
  • Label: Hillsong Music Australia, EMI
4 12 17 1
Zion
  • Released: 22 February 2013 (AUS)
  • Label: Hillsong Music Australia, EMI
1 16 39 5 8 5 1
Empires
  • Released: 26 May 2015 (AUS)
  • Label: Hillsong Music Australia, Capitol CMG
1 4 12 7 7 5 1
Wonder
  • Released: 9 June 2017
  • Label: Hillsong Music Australia, Capitol CMG
4 39 91 37 19 21 1
Are We There Yet?
  • Released: 29 April 2022
  • Label: Hillsong Music Australia, Capitol CMG
18
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory

Live albums

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List of albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart positions
AUS
[30]
NZ
[34]
NLD
[32]
US
[35]
US
Christ.

[36]
Everyday
Best Friend
  • Released: 20 November 2000
  • Label: Hillsong Music Australia
King of Majesty
  • Released: 15 October 2001
  • Label: Hillsong Music Australia
To the Ends of the Earth
  • Released: 21 November 2002
  • Label: Hillsong Music Australia
More Than Life
  • Released: 23 March 2004
  • Label: Hillsong Music Australia
Look to You
  • Released: 28 February 2005
  • Label: Hillsong Music Australia
30 33
United We Stand
  • Released: 11 March 2006
  • Label: Hillsong Music Australia
28 23 162 11
Unidos Permanecemos
  • Released: 2007
  • Label: Hillsong Music Australia
The I Heart Revolution: With Hearts as One
  • Released: 8 March 2008
  • Label: Hillsong Music Australia
8 22 117 5
[a_CROSS // the_EARTH]
  • Released: 9 May 2009 (AUS)
  • Label: Hillsong Music Australia
22 21 21 1
Live in Miami: Welcome to the Aftermath
  • Released: 14 February 2012
  • Label: Hillsong Music Australia/Capitol CMG
22 71 1
Zion Acoustic Sessions
  • Released: 29 October 2013
  • Label: Hillsong Music Australia/Capitol CMG
88 4
Of Dirt and Grace: Live from the Land
  • Released: 15 July 2016 (AUS)
  • Label: Hillsong Music Australia/Capitol CMG
8 80 40 2
People
  • Released: 26 April 2019
  • Label: Hillsong Music Australia/Capitol CMG
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download
6
[39]
22
[40]
2
[41]
1
The People Tour: Live from Madison Square Garden
  • Released: 29 January 2021
  • Label: Hillsong Music Australia/Capitol CMG
  • Formats: CD, digital download
11
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory

Soundtrack albums

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List of albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart positions
AUS
[30]
US
Christ.

[36]
Hillsong: Let Hope Rise – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
  • Released: 12 August 2016 (AUS)
  • Label: Hillsong Music Australia, Capitol
94
[42]
6
[43]

Others

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List of other releases (EPs, remix albums), with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart positions
AUS
[30]
US
[35]
US
Christ.

[36]
US
Dance

[44]
One (EP)
  • Released: 1998
In a Valley by the Sea (EP)
  • Released: 2 October 2007
Oceans (EP)
  • Released: 10 September 2013
  • Label: Hillsong Music Australia
The White Album [remix project]
  • Released: 4 March 2014
  • Label: Hillsong Music Australia, Sparrow
9 48 4 1
So Will I (100 Billion X) [EP]
  • Released: 23 March 2018
  • Label: Hillsong Music Australia
People - En Español (EP)
  • Released: 8 November 2019
  • Label: Hillsong Music Australia
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory

Singles

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Year Song Peak positions Certifications Sales Album
US
[45]
US
Christ.
Songs

[46]
US
Christ.
Airplay

[47]
US
Christ.
Digital

[48]
2011 "Bones" 35 35 35 Aftermath
"Like an Avalanche" 40 40 40
"Search My Heart" 20 20 17
"Lead Me to the Cross" 48 All of the Above
2013 "Scandal of Grace" 25 25 21 Zion
"From the Inside Out" United We Stand
"Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)" 83 1 1 1 Zion
"Relentless" 27 45
2014 "Love Is War" 38 50
2015 "Touch the Sky" 3 5 1 Empires
"Prince of Peace" 26 15
"Heart Like Heaven" 26 31
"Even When It Hurts (Praise Song)" 29 36
"Here Now (Madness)"[citation needed] 31
"Say the Word"[citation needed] 24 29
"Captain"[citation needed] 38
"Rule"[citation needed] 40
"Empires"[citation needed] 41
"When I Lost My Heart to You (Hallelujah)"[citation needed] 43
"Street Called Mercy"[citation needed] 45
"Closer Than You Know"[citation needed] 47
2017 "Even When It Hurts (Praise Song)" 37
"Wonder" 11 11 6 Wonder
2018 "So Will I (100 Billion X)" 3 6 2
"Not Today" 40 10
"Good Grace (Live)"[55] 11 16 4 People
2019 "Whole Heart (Hold Me Now) [Live]"[56] 14 3
"As You Find Me (Live)" 22 7
"Another in the Fire (Live)" 17 14 6
2021 "Know You Will" 23 21 16 Are We There Yet?
"Sure Thing" 46
2022 "On Repeat" 34

Other charted and certified songs

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Year Song Peak positions Certifications Album
JPN
[58]
US
Christ.
Songs

[59]
2007 "Hosanna" All of the Above
2013 "Stay Young" 53 non-album single
2017 "Heaven Knows" 29 The Shack Soundtrack
"Shadow Step" 22 Wonder
"Splinters and Stones" 29
"Shape of Your Heart" 35
"Glimmer In The Dust" 40
"Future Marches In" 43
"Greatest of These" 49
2019 "Highlands (Song of Ascent)" 23 People
"Ready or Not" 27
"Clean" 28
"Might Sound Wild" 31
"Holy Ground" 32
"Here's To The One" 33
"Echoes (Til We See The Other Side)" 36
"Starts and Ends" 45
2021 "Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)" (Live) 37 The People Tour: Live from Madison Square Garden

Videography

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A documentary, Hillsong: Let Hope Rise, directed by Michael John Warren, chronicles the rise of the band,[61] was originally supposed to be released by Warner Bros. during the 2015 Easter weekend.[62] As Alcon Entertainment and Warner Bros. were unable to close a deal, the film was pulled out from Warner Bros' schedule.[63] In March 2015, Relativity Media obtained the distribution rights and the film shifted to a 29 May release.[64] In April, Relativity moved the film to 30 September 2015.[65] However, Relativity Media filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in July and let go of the rights to the producers.[66][67] PureFlix acquired the film and it was released on 16 September 2016.[citation needed]

Awards

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As of 2020 the group has received 11 Dove Awards.[68]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ O'Brien, Cortney (7 April 2015). "Hillsong United: How a Church Band Became a Worldwide Phenom". Townhall. Archived from the original on 8 April 2015. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
  2. ^ Paulson, Michael (9 September 2014). "Megachurch With a Beat Lures a Young Flock". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 10 September 2014. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
  3. ^ "Australia's Hillsong Church Has Astonishingly Powerful Global Influence". The Huffington Post. 5 November 2013. Archived from the original on 27 December 2020. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
  4. ^ Tom Wagner, Anna Nekola "Congregational Music-Making and Community in a Mediated Age", Ashgate Publishing, 2015, page 170
  5. ^ a b "Hillsong United 'Zion' Album Review". www.breathecast.com. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  6. ^ Mansfield, Brian. "Album of the week: Hillsong United". USA TODAY. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  7. ^ a b c "Hillsong United Announce New Record 'The White Album [the remix project]' is Coming Soon". www.breathecast.com. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
  8. ^ Riches, Tanya; Wagner, Tom (1 January 2012). "The Evolution of Hillsong Music: From Australian Pentecostal Congregation into Global Brand". Australian Journal of Communication.
  9. ^ "UNITED logo". The Lakehaus Studios. Retrieved 28 January 2016.
  10. ^ Blair, Leonardo; Reporter, Senior (8 March 2013). "Hillsong Church's Zion Album Debuts at #5 on Billboard 200". www.christianpost.com. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  11. ^ "Gold & Platinum". RIAA. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  12. ^ Writer, Staff. "Hillsong United Take Home Two Billboard Music Awards". The Music. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  13. ^ "Wayne Haun Leads GMA Dove Awards Nominees". Billboard. 13 August 2014. Archived from the original on 18 August 2014. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
  14. ^ Koonse, Emma (8 October 2014). "Hillsong UNITED Leads 2014 GMA Dove Award With 5 Wins". The Christian Post. Archived from the original on 13 May 2019. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
  15. ^ Koonse, Emma (14 October 2014). "Hillsong United Earns First American Music Award Nomination for Favorite Contemporary Inspirational Artists". The Christian Post. Archived from the original on 13 May 2019. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
  16. ^ "American Music Awards – Winners List". Variety. 23 November 2014. Archived from the original on 25 November 2014. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
  17. ^ Nsenduluka, Ben (19 October 2015). "Hillsong United Reacts to American Music Award Nomination for second Year". The Christian Post. Archived from the original on 21 October 2015. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
  18. ^ Nsenduluka, Ben (18 May 2015). "Australian Megachurch Band Hillsong United Wins Billboard Music Award Ahead of 'Empires' Release". The Christian Post. Archived from the original on 27 December 2020. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
  19. ^ "Hillsong United Take Home Two Billboard Music Awards". theMusic. 23 May 2016. Archived from the original on 27 December 2020. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
  20. ^ Nicholson, Jessica (12 October 2016). "Lauren Daigle, Hillsong UNITED Lead Dove Awards Winners". MusicRow. Archived from the original on 5 November 2016. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
  21. ^ "2018 Nominees". doveawards.com. 8 August 2018. Archived from the original on 28 August 2018. Retrieved 27 December 2020. (Note: Tap the "+" next to Cat 1, Cat 2, Cat 8 and Cat 20 to view each of the 4 nominations.)
  22. ^ "2018 Winners". doveawards.com. 16 October 2018. Archived from the original on 17 October 2018. Retrieved 27 December 2020. (Note: Tap "Next" at the bottom of the page to view second page of winners and scroll to the last category listed for Worship Song of the Year (Category 20) winner.)
  23. ^ Live in Miami album booklet. "Hillsong United is Matt Crocker, Adam Crosariol, Jonathon Douglass, Jad Gillies, Joel Houston, Peter James, Timon Klein, Simon Kobler, Hayley Law, Jill McCloghry, Dylan Thomas."
  24. ^ Zion album booklet. "Hillsong United is Joel Houston, Jad Gillies, Matt Crocker, Jonathon Douglass, Timon Klein, SImon Kobler, Dylan Thomas, Peter James, Adam Crosariol."
  25. ^ "Hillsong United". RELEVANT Magazine. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 28 October 2016.
  26. ^ a b c d e Yap, Timothy (26 December 2012). "Hillsong United 'Zion' Album Review". BreatheCast. Retrieved 5 January 2016. Gone are previous United leaders such as Marty Sampson, Annie [Garratt], Brooke Fraser, Hayley Law, Jill McCloghry and Sam Knock. Rather, leads this time are handled mainly by Matt Crocker, Joel Houston, Jad Gillies, Jonathon Douglass, Dave Ware and newcomer Taya Smith.
  27. ^ "Luke Munns". discogs. Retrieved 28 January 2016.
  28. ^ "Former Member Of Attributed Artist". AllMusic. Retrieved 28 January 2016.
  29. ^ "Annie Garratt". Hillsong.com. Retrieved 5 January 2016. Originally traveling as part of UNITED, she is now one of Hillsong's Creative Pastors...
  30. ^ a b c d "Hillsong". australian-charts.com.
  31. ^ "Hillsong Album Chart History: Billboard Canadian Albums". Billboard. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  32. ^ a b "Hillsong". Dutch Charts.
  33. ^ "Hillsong". Norwegiancharts.com.
  34. ^ a b "Hillsong". charts.org.
  35. ^ a b c "Hillsong United Album Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  36. ^ a b c d "Hillsong Album Chart History: Billboard Christian Albums". Billboard. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  37. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2014 Albums" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association.
  38. ^ "American album certifications – Hillsong United – Zion". Recording Industry Association of America.
  39. ^ "ARIA Australian Top 50 Albums". Australian Recording Industry Association. 6 May 2019. Retrieved 4 May 2019.
  40. ^ "NZ Top 40 Albums Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 6 May 2019. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  41. ^ Caulfield, Keith (6 May 2019). "P!nk's 'Hurts 2B Human' Album Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200 Chart". Billboard. Retrieved 7 May 2019.
  42. ^ "ARIA CHART WATCH #390". auspOp. 15 October 2016. Archived from the original on 18 October 2016. Retrieved 15 October 2016.
  43. ^ "Billboard Top Christian Albums chart – Week of June 1, 2019". Billboard. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  44. ^ "Hillsong Album Chart History: Billboard Dance/Electronic Albums". Billboard. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
  45. ^ "Hillsong Album Chart History: Billboard Hot 100". Billboard.
  46. ^ "Hillsong United – Chart history | Billboard". Billboard. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
  47. ^ "Hillsong United – Chart history | Billboard". Billboard. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
  48. ^ "Hillsong United – Chart history | Billboard". Billboard. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
  49. ^ "American single certifications – Hillsong United – Lead me to the Cross". Recording Industry Association of America.
  50. ^ "American single certifications – Hillsong United – Oceans". Recording Industry Association of America.
  51. ^ "British single certifications – Hillsong United – Oceans". British Phonographic Industry.
  52. ^ Paul Grein (21 November 2014). "Taylor Swift Replaces Herself At #1 on the Hot 100". Yahoo! Music.
  53. ^ "American single certifications – Hillsong United – Touch The Sky". Recording Industry Association of America.
  54. ^ "American single certifications – Hillsong United – So Will I (100 Billion X)". Recording Industry Association of America.
  55. ^ "Good Grace (Live) – Single by Hillsong UNITED on Spotify". Spotify. Retrieved 13 December 2018.
  56. ^ "Whole Heart (Hold Me Now) [Live] – Single by Hillsong UNITED on Spotify". Spotify. Retrieved 11 January 2019.
  57. ^ "American single certifications – Hillsong United – Another in the Fire (Live)". Recording Industry Association of America.
  58. ^ "Hillsong United – Chart history | Billboard". Billboard. Retrieved 16 May 2019.
  59. ^ "Hillsong United – Chart history | Billboard". Billboard. Retrieved 16 May 2019.
  60. ^ "American single certifications – Hillsong United – Hosanna". Recording Industry Association of America.
  61. ^ "Hillsong: Let Hope Rise: Plot Summary". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  62. ^ McNary, Dave (1 July 2014). "Hillsong Christian Music Documentary Picked Up for Worldwide Release by Warner Bros". Variety. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  63. ^ McNary, Dave (14 January 2015). "Hillsong Christian Music Documentary Pulled From Warner Bros. Schedule". Variety. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  64. ^ Mike Fleming Jr (4 March 2015). "Relativity To Release Faith-Based Film 'Hillsong–Let Hope Rise'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  65. ^ Pedersen, Erik (1 April 2015). "'Transporter Refueled' & 'Hillsong – Let Hope Rise' Moved: See You In September". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  66. ^ Rainey, James; Lang, Brent (30 July 2015). "Relativity Media Files Bankruptcy; Film and TV Units for Sale". Variety. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  67. ^ Lang, Brent (30 July 2015). "Relativity Lets Rights to 'Hillsong – Let Hope Rise' Revert to Producers (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
  68. ^ Gospel Music Association, Past winners : Hillsong United, doveawards.com, USA, retrieved 5 December 2020
  • "Hillsong United Webpage". Published by Hillsong Church. Retrieved 8 January 2008.
  • "Hillsong United on Integrity Music". Published by Integrity Media. Retrieved 8 January 2008.
  • "Review on Christianity Today". Published by Christian Music Today. Retrieved 8 January 2008.
  • "Shout to the Lord!: Music and Change at Hillsong 1996–2007". Dissertation for the award of Masters of Philosophy, Australian Catholic University, 2010. Riches, Tanya. Retrieved 3 March 2012
  • "Secularising the Sacred: The Impact of Geoff Bullock on Contemporary Congregational Song in Sydney, 1990-1999". Dissertation for the award of PhD, Macquarie University, 2002. Evans, Mark. Retrieved 3 March 2012
  • "Open up the Doors: Music in the Modern Church" London: Equinox, 2006. Evans, Mark.
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