Album Review: Demon Hunter - "True Defiance"

Demon Hunter is the perfect example of what a Christian metal band should be: a band that’s not overly preachy, and doesn’t let the message overshadow the music. They are one of the premiere metalcore bands still in existence, and have been known for their use of melodic vocals in an epic way. They have never been known as an overly heavy band, but set out to change that on this album. How did they do?

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1.) “Crucifix”

A quick intro leads into a song that never lets up as soon as it starts. Demon Hunter haven’t started an album this quickly before, usually settling for expanded intros and the like, and it really works for this album. It’s clear from this song that Demon Hunter are trying to make an album that’s heavier, but they also manage to start a pace on this song that shows that their songs are groovier and catchier, too, without having to sound overly melodic. A really good starting song.

2.) “God Forsaken”

This song starts off with the quintessential Demon Hunter sound, and I’d say that this song is the biggest representation of their past albums. This sounds like a song that could have been on either of their last two albums, with the pleasant mix of screaming and clean vocals as well as the addition of the keyboards they’ve been known to use in the past. There is a clean guitar solo about halfway through that’s a nice change of pace, as well as a breakdown at the end that is very reminiscent of Machine Head.

3.) “My Destiny”

This is the first single from the album, so it’s one of the catchier songs on the album. However, it still has moments of heaviness, especially in the verses, which features vocalist Ryan Clark utilizing a barking style of screaming vocals he hasn’t used before. The chorus is infectious as all hell, and an hour later, I had the lines repeating through my head. I also have to commend the guitarists for the solo, as it is one of, if not, the best that Demon Hunter has ever done. For a single, this is a great song, and a good representation of what the album is: catchy, heavy, melodic, and carrying some metallic groove.

4.) “Wake”

A really short intro leads into what is probably the grooviest song on the album. Ryan Clark’s clean vocals accompany the groove-inspired guitars and synchronized rhythm section, which is very tight throughout the entire song. Another great solo in this song, which is basically daring you not to air guitar.

5.) “Tomorrow Never Comes”

This is easily the most melodic song on the album, and probably one of the most radio-friendly songs I’ve ever heard from Demon Hunter, who’ve been known to have a few. It’s not a bad song, per se, but just seems out of place on this album. Moments of it seem almost doom-inspired, with its haunting guitar chugs, but it’s a very clean song.

6.) “Someone To Hate”

This was the first song that Demon Hunter teased in previewing the album, and it made me very excited to hear the entire thing. The intro sounds almost Slayer-inspired, with the tremolo picking and rhythmic drumming leading into heavy double-bass. For the most part, this song is a great metal song, leaving the clean vocals only for the chorus and staying heavy throughout the rest. The drummer, Yogi Watts, does a great job in this song of not only keeping the rhythm, but kicking the double bass at the absolutely right moments. An atmospheric breakdown in the middle adds another dimension to the song, before returning to the metal side of things with an amazing solo and finish.

7.) “This I Know”

A synthesized intro leads into a chugging intro, which then transforms into another headbanger of a song. I’d definitely have to say that this is one of my favorites on the album, as it strikes the perfect balance between heavy and melodic. I’d have to compare this song to one off of Trivium’s “Shogun” album, not in terms of sound but in terms of tone and mood.

8.) “Means To An End”

This is a two-and-a-half minute-long instrumental track, consisting of little more than clean guitar, some bass, and a few percussions. It’s a great interlude, as it’s an instrumental song that carries emotion with it, and would make a great addition to any soundtrack.

9.) “We Don’t Care”

Definitely my favorite song on the album. Carrying over from the previous instrumental track, it immediately starts with a very strong guitar riff that carries the heavy portion of the song. The chorus is sung with clean vocals, but is very airy. However, in my opinion, it is the main riff and the heavy segments of the song that carry it, as well as the driving beats on the drums. Lead guitarist Patrick Judge goes crazy in the little space allotted to him for the solo, and makes the best of it.

10.) “Resistance”

A heavy guitar intro is followed by a cleanly sung verse, which is more croon than belting. Ryan Clark manages to keep things calm while maintaining the heavy mood of the song, and definitely gets the chance to show up his amazingly varied voices. If you’re a fan of metal music, but like your screaming vocals in small doses, then this is the tune for you.

11.) “Dead Flowers”

The intro, lead by keyboards, sounds like a mix of old school Demon Hunter and Lacuna Coil, with Ryan Clark singing in the softest tones imaginable for someone with his strong pipes. Demon Hunter try and go out on the most memorable melodic moment, and this song is very catchy while remaining a solid song. It’s not heavy by any measurement, but is still a great song to end things on, and I wouldn’t be surprised to hear this on the radio at some point.

All-in-all, Demon Hunter succeeded in making an album that was heavier and better than their previous works. Even as a fan, I feel like this album was leaps and bounds above their other albums, and I have not been able to stop listening to it.

The vocals on this album are amazing, as always. Ryan Clark has always been the band leader, and the most noteworthy part of the sound, and this album further cements that. Clark not only pushes himself beyond his previous limits in terms of clean singing, but he goes beyond the line of duty in showcasing screaming vocal tactics that he hasn’t used on any of the other albums before.

The guitars on this album stand miles above the work on the previous albums. Not only are the riffs stronger and catchier, but the solos manage to achieve in a short lifespan what emotion that longer songs can only hope to have. Patrick Judge, the lead guitarist, does an especially good job of stretching the boundaries of what the leads in Demon Hunter can sound like.

The rhythm section is strong on this album, but not as noticeable as it has been on their last albums. The bass is barely audible in the mix, but I do have to commend drummer Yogi Watts on his work on this album. Many songs, including “Someone To Hate,” feature standout work from him.

If you like Christian metal, metalcore, or melodic metal, then you should definitely check this out. Although it doesn’t quite fit into any of those categories, it’s a great album that I’d recommend to anyone that listens to metal music.