"And all those broken promises I can't face. Afraid if someone notices, I lose my place, fractured, broken, paralyzed. I need some space, tear me open, analyze. This isn't me I used to say. All the love was so gone. It feels good to be alive. I've been dead for so long." Demon Hunter - My Throat is an Open Grave
Demon hunter: A fictional character that is unshakable in his resolve to reach an end that is beyond his means as a corporeal human. He's a being that's so unyielding about his final objective that he creates a world consisting of fury and pain; yet he still sees the beauty and grace of the world in which he lives. Wedged between his inner turmoil and the reality of his existence; he has no choice but to adapt and keep moving.
The new self-titled album by Demon Hunter isn't just another nu-metal album that steps up to the table with impotent metal riffs with shallow anthems of deceit and betrayal. Instead, it reads more like a series of letters from a faithful servant who is struggling. He's struggling to deal with his inadequacies. He's fighting to maintain his composure in the face of trials. He's even struggling to stay faithful. He's asking for help, and it's clear that he needs it.
The entire concept of Demon Hunter is fairly ambiguous in nature. When the band was first trumpeted, shrouded in mystery, I (along with throngs of others) nearly dismissed it as an audacious attempt to get some press by making the whole group (and their past bands) one big secret (see Slipknot). This only leads the naysayer to a pre-determined conclusion that Demon Hunter has no redeeming value. This conclusion turned out to be not only premature and foolish, but flat out wrong.
Although vagueness seems to engulf them, the group pulls together a rock-solid album that is aggressive, remorseful, passionate, and painful. Listeners will be drawn into their world of Demon Hunter (to an intimate level at times) as you are guided by fiery lyrics, growling guitars, and amazing programming as you plot through the well-worn path of metal. It's good that the hunters are out; you're just lucky that they're on your side.
-Mike Frost
www.buzzgrinder.com
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Dr.Punx
Amazing Review! You topped it off man! Demon Hunter is one of the most interesting bands out there.. I think they should keep the faith and go mainstream.. And blow away crap bands like slipknot,korn,limp biscuit!
2 - tom
i think the album is great, and the more trash i hear about the cd i give more and more credit to the band. There 100% better then the "masked men" (slipknot) who completly sucked on there album IOWA. DEMON HUNTER is a great band and they deserve to be respected in a music industy without a lot of christian bands. Demon Hunter knock em dead.
3 - Sean
It's nice to see an alternative to all these bands out there promoting such negative ideals (i.e. slipknot, limp, mudvayne) Hate runs rampid in todays metal genera and it's nice to see a positive metal band emerge to the forefront of the metal industry...keep it up boys...long live the Hunter Tribe
4 - Bob
Hey ahh i heard some of this album and it sounded good... but is the band a bunch of christians or something? That sux if they are, as if you would follow that. Anyway, if they're christian then they're messed up, so they must make messed up music. I wouldnt listen to them now. But then again, I hate christianty. I am a christianburner.
5 - The Theory
hah. you're messed up if you're rejecting music because of the member's personal beliefs.
i mean seriously.
peace.
6 - alan
i could understand not listening to something because you didnt like the message but not because of the people who make it's beliefs. That plus if youre into extreme music and refuse to acknowledge the incredible bands out there that are christian and sound heavier and better than secular stuff...check out these bands:
Living Sacrifice, Norma Jean, Underoath, actually heres some sites where you can find better stuff:
www.solidstaterecords.com
www.facedownrecords.com
peace
7 - The Theory
i, on the other hand, am going to say don't bother going to the solid state website... they only have one or two decent bands.
facedown has some great stuff... but some crap, too.
peace.
8 - Chaos A.D.
I heard through the black by demon hunter and thought it was great, but to find out that they are christians is very disapointing to me, i mean, would a christian listen to anti-religious music? No. So you can see why I, a non religious person, does not want to listen to christian lyrics being blasted at me, even though the music to it is good, but demon hunter are nothing against slipknot's much heavier blasting insanity, and overall better metal music. torn and dr. punx must not know what real metal is, ever heard of slayer? need i say more. stay (sic) fuckers
9 - The Theory
only sheltered "religous" people only listen to "religious" music. most listen to whatever.
but it doesn't matter either way. i just wanted to make that clear.
peace.
10 - Nobody
In response to Chaos AD's comments--even the mighty Slipknot and Slayer pale in comparison to such Christian bands as Living Sacrifice, Zao, Society's Finest, Noiz, and Crimson Thorn.
11 - Nobody
What happened to Demon Hunter's sound since their song on the cd: This is Soild State Vol. 3? Whoever remixed them should be extremely remorseful for destroying one of the most origional sounds ever to cross the metal world. Demon Hunter would have sounded so much better if they wouldn't have been remixed. If you don't believe me, go get the This is Solid State Vol. 3 cd and listen to that version of "Through the Black"
12 - Chaos A.D.
In respone to Nobody's theory that Slayer and Slipknot crumble at the likes of the listed christian bands, todays metal, including christian metal has been HEAVILY influenced by bands like Slayer. Slayer gave birth to thrash metal and paved the way for future metal bands like nothing before, until bands like the ones you listed created the infamous "nu-metal". This christian rock is merely a goody-two-shoes version of filth such as limp bizkit and linkin park. Hopely this nu-metal faze will soon fade and allow black metal to shine with all its glory.
13 - andy
for real. You can't knock Slayer. However, to say that if you don't like Slipknot then you don't know real metal is just dumb. SLIPKNOT IS NOT REAL METAL! Anyone who listens to real metal would laugh at the thought of listening to Slipknot, would probably make fun of those who do listen to Slipknot, and would then beat them up. Those true metal heads are nuts. Anyway, I think it's really stupid to not listen to an artist because they have lyrics that contradict your own opinions and ideals. A real Christian would not avoid listening to a band w/ a different view than them. If they would avoid it, then they'll go through life completely ignorant and not know truely why they believe what they believe.
As for you Slipknot fans out there...go listen to Dillinger Escape Plan and Meshuggah and marvel at the fact that they do all of that w/ ONE drummer
14 - Nobody
Nu-metal? Living Sacrifice, Zao, And Crimson Thorn have all been around for over ten years. They were playing death metal from its beginings.
15 - thermik
What is wrong with people who say Slipknot and nu-metal is not metal? Metalheads in general are such snobs when concerning music. They shelter themselves in their favorite metal genre and won't stick their heads out to see what is happening out there. If you don't like what I like, you suck and don't know shit about metal. This is such a looser mentality.
16 - The Theory
*psh* Zao is metalcore... Living Sacrifice just sucks.
peace.
17 - Tim Hall
Thermik, you're absolutely right. Of course, it's not just adolescent metal-heads that have that sort of attitude; many people in the dance music scene are just as bad.
Narrow sub-genres only exist so idiots know what to listen to.
18 - andy
Nu Metal is metal for the masses. Listener friendly more accessable. It's pop music. It's mall metal. Kids who go to the mall, look in the "metal" catagory, and pick out the "toughest" looking band.
Nu Metal is the EXACT same thing as glam rock. It was the pop culture trying to cash in on a very large underground movement, and frankly, it's all quite silly.
19 - PYRO
HEY 2 WHOEVER READS THIS I AM A CHRISTIAN AND PROUD 2BE. AND THIS BOB KID WHO THINKS HE IS A "CHRISTIANBURNER" DUDE, YOU NEED HELP! I BELIEVE THAT DEMON HUNTER IS THE BEST BAND I HAVE EVER HEARD. AND WHEN MY BAND PLAYZ AT A GIG I'LL MAKE SURE TO DEDICATE A SONG TO YOU AND YOUR "NON-BELIEVING" FRIENDZ!!! NOT TO BE MEAN OR NETHING BUT YOU TOTALLY OFFENDED MY FRIENDS,FAMILY AND I. SO I HOPE YOUR HAPPY AND PROUD OF YOURSELF! AND THERMIK YOUR WRONG,LIVING SACRIFICE KICKS BUTT! BUT I RESPECT YOUR OPINION, AT LEAST YOU WERENT AS RUDE AS BOB THE "CHRISTIANBURNER"!!!
20 - JR.
HEY THERE, JUST TO LET YOU KNOW THIS IS PYRO AND AND FOR BEING A GIRL I TOTALLY HAVE A POINT! BUT THERE'S SOMETHING I DIDN'T INCLUDE: CHAOS A.D. IF YOU ARE READIN' THIS FIRST OF ALL THIS IS A CHRISTIAN WEBSITE SO WE DON'T NEED THAT FOUL LANGUAGE AND I AM SURE I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO FEELZ THIS WAY SO STAY CLEAN AND DO US ALL A FAVOR AND DON'T SWARE ON THIS WEBSITE NELONGER! IT MATTERZ TO EVERYONE TO STATE OUR OPINIONS BUT IT KINDA HURTS WHEN YOU CALL US SICK F***ERS. IF SOMEONE FEELS TO RESPOND PLEASE DO,I'M ALL ABOUT DIFFERENT IDEAS SO WRITE BACK PEOPLE!!
21 - SillyPuttyMan
First off, Demon Hunter is better than any band because they are Christian. Second, Slipknot has great music, but their lyrics suck and don't make any sense. "I can handle anything even if I can't handle you." Kinda contradicts itself a little in the song "(sic)." But the lyrics still suck such as in Heretic Anthem, "If your 555 I'm 666" and their other devil-worshipping lyrics. But, they have gone to the worst music they could go to... Stone Sour. First off, they will never make it singing light-rock. Plus their lyrics really suck. Don't listen to them folks, they diss Jesus in the song I heard (Get Inside). Finally, I have to say, even though their lyrics and everything are good, bands like Living Sacrifice, Zao, Still Breathing, Soul Embrace, and others still aren't any good. They are too slow and the vocals don't go good with the music. Just my opinion... If you like them, then don't fuss or get mad at me...
22 - GothThug666
First of all, puttyman your dumb...if you would open up instead of hearing what your bullshit mind will tell you and see the message that slipknot was trying to get across, they were saying that life is allways contridicting itself and that you are nothing. no one will ever surpass the greatness of slipknot, and corey taylor and james roots fucked up for rejoining stone sour, but its there life and they can do what they want to do, but stone sour sucks ass, scept for get inside and tulmet. I am anti-religious, loath and dispise christians...but still just because demon hunters members are christian doesn't change the fact that there music and lyrics are awesome and everyone should listen to them, and I don't agree that you should just stop listening to them due to their religion. demon hunter is a great band...
23 - PYRO
Hey goththug666 I think your full of crap. seirously where do you get off callin' puttyman dumb? 2nd of all as I have said before please do us a favor and don't curse on this site. I am sure you could be a cool kid and all but me and probably alot of other people are gettin' a bad vibe from you. If you have a problem with me then say so!
24 - PYRO aka JR.
UM, I didn't mean to offend you or get mad at you. I was just a little edgy after reading what Chaos A.D, Bob, Thermik and GothThug666 wrote. I didn't mean to come off as a bad chick here. It's just when I see somethin' that dissapoints me I like to express my feelings through my band songs or in my journal. I know this is off subject but are you cute??!! I just broke up with my boyfriend and I am having a hard time!*! NNAA, dude I'm just messin' around,but seirously write me back.maybe we can have a friendship or somethin' not just you to any heavy metal/punkish dude who likes to have fun with chicks!lots a LUV!
25 - GothThug666
Dump=as in unable to speak, is why I called putty that, putty didn't know the meaning of that certain part of the song and shouldn't lash out befor knowing the whole portion of what was going on. Sorry about the language before, I'm just knew to the site. No I have nothing against you pyro, you able to speak and have your own opinion as well, I'm not one to take that from you. Everyone gets a bad vibe from me...every one hates me...so what does it matter...