ALBUM REVIEW: Songs of Death and Resurrection – Demon Hunter
American Christian metallers DEMON HUNTER may be the most popular band you’ve never heard of. For almost 20 years now they have been pumping out solid albums to the contingency and have amassed some impressive sales/streaming numbers (60m plus plays on Spotify). Whether you’re religious or not, DEMON HUNTER has an impressive back catalogue of hard-hitting tracks that shouldn’t be ignored. While they are known usually for their crushingly heavy riffs and harsh vocals, they are also masters of the ballad. Arguably some of their softer numbers hit harder than their weightier counterparts. 2019 saw the band release 2 albums together which showcased their ability to do both incredibly well. The crunchier War and the more melodic Peace impressively hit number 1 and 2 respectively on the Billboard 200. Songs of Death and Resurrection see the band reimagining their past hits with lush string arrangements and a softer, more acoustic approach. The barrage of electric guitars is replaced by gentle classical playing with the addition of a piano and beautifully sung harmonies.
My Throat is an Open Grave starts off proceedings in melancholic fashion. Soft piano keys lead in with strings gently stirring in the background before the drums kick in. It’s a truly gorgeous entry to the album and a good indication of what’s to come. Ryan Clark‘s haunting vocals lead the way at the forefront. His trademark deep bellow cuts intricately through the instrumentation. Fittingly, the track which is first on the album is actually the first DEMON HUNTER track written and remains a fan favourite to this day.
Clark is joined by his mother, Peggy, on the tracks Dead Flowers and Loneliness. He states that she is one of the main reasons he decided to pursue music and singing in particular. It’s a heart-warming moment to hear them harmonize together and adds even more emotional depth to already deep and meaningful songs. Loneliness itself is enough to bring you to tears. Sorrowful ballads, I Am A Stone and I Will Fail You will rock you to your very core with their gorgeous and stirring arrangements while Heart of a Graveyard gives you an injection of goth-pop goodness not unlike HIM.
Carry Me Down is a well-known track that has actually been played at funerals. It was already known as a powerhouse but the Resurrected version is an omnipotent sovereign that even stripped back can still match the grandeur of the original. While Songs of Death and Resurrection isn’t an album to spin on repeat due to its mainly mournful nature it would be an incredible one-off live show to witness. It’s a record to be still and really embody rather than listen to the odd track here and there.
DEMON HUNTER are known for their ability to channel power and strength through their songs and they accomplish that here in a new stripped-down nature. While the album doesn’t have as much variation compared to past albums and could be a little sombre for some, the band proves they can still create heavy music without the distortion. DEMON HUNTER fans will enjoy hearing new life brought into these older hits and there are some truly touching moments of serenity and heavenliness.
Rating: 7/10
Songs of Death and Resurrection is set for release March 5th via Solid State Records.
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