Back in 2002, it had already been almost a decade since a new breed of metal and hardcore music took the world by storm. Sure, in '90's there were some early incarnations of the metalcore movement, such as Overcast. But in this fateful year, a movement of Christian metal music was on its way to evolving into an era all its own. With highly influential '90's Christian metal bands like Zao and Living Sacrifice to pave the way, a new band came onto the scene and took its place in the pantheon of metal by force. That band was Demon Hunter.
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And now, 13 years later, they are still considered to be one of the most prominent, relevant and well-respected bands of the new age of metal, both in Christian AND non-Christian metal music.
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This year, back in March, they released their eighth studio album, entitled "Outlive". It was received well by die-hard DH fans (whom the band endearingly have dubbed the name "Hunters"), including myself. Even after 13 years in the game, they still manage to surprise even me, constantly playing with the fine line between aggressive and melodic metal music. They are melodic enough at times to be considered hard rock, and yet at other times so aggressive enough to be called metal. So what are they in fact, you ask? Well, as it turns out, I've come to find that it is all subjective to the listener's musical taste, as well as personal educated opinion of the band and their style. Regardless, I felt this album, though more melodic than any of their other albums to date, still deserves to be mentioned and reviewed in the realm of metal.
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All in all, though we find the vocalist and main songwriter Ryan Clark singing a lot more than screaming on "Outlive", there still lies within it the intensity many have come to expect from Demon Hunter. With harsh and punishing opening riffs, some of which can be found on the opening song "Jesus Wept", and melodic crooning vocals that can be found on tracks like "Died in My Sleep" and "One Step Behind", this new venture in DH's discography can be confirmed to be one of their most ambitious releases to date. Their well-balanced style of "metal meets hard rock" has come to be one of the main reasons that they are my favorite band, as well as a favorite to many other "Hunters" across the globe. Don't believe me? Have a look-see below and take a listen for yourself! I have carefully selected a few of my personal favorite tracks from the album for your listening pleasure. It is my hope that you find them to be just as amazing of a band as I do. And for those of you who are already fans yourselves, I hope this album will reassure you of just how both consistent and pleasingly surprising of a band they can truly be. Enjoy my friends, and remember to stay metal! \m/
"Jesus Wept"
"Died in My Sleep"
"One Less"
"Patience"
Take care Steemian metal heads.... till next time....
Sincerely,
