2019 Metal Album Review - "War" by Demon Hunter (Part I)

I've been very much looking forward to doing this album review, ever since I received my copy in the mail. I'm sure most of you know by now, but for those of you who don't, Demon Hunter is my absolute favorite band.... so I'd be lying if I said there wasn't at least a little bias in these next two reviews (the release was a double album).... but hopefully you will agree with me when I say that this release has more than deserved the bias I treat it with! So, without further ado....

I've been obsesses with Demon Hunter ever since 2005, the year I discovered their existence (and also the year of their 3rd album release, "The Triptych"). I was 15 at the time, and I had had my fill of what I now know to be "commercial metal", and I yearned for something more, something fresh and new. I found that in Demon Hunter. Now, the fact that they are a Christian metal band and therefore relate to my own personal lifestyle doesn't have as much to do with why I obsess over them as their indisputable raw talent, amazing songwriting, and their outright impressive ability to be both a heavy AND melodic band without so much as skipping a beat does. They truly are masters of their craft, and I consider it an honor just to write out these next two reviews for such a legendary name in the underground metal scene.

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"War" is an especially exceptional album, due to the fact that while they consistently maintain their heavy metal aura, they still somehow manage to sneak in a LOT of melody and ambient beauty due to the vocalist Ryan Clark's keyboard skills. And it comes as no surprise, as Clark is the main songwriter, and the ultimate visionary of the band. And not to mention quite a nice and chill dude. I had the pleasure of meeting him and the rest of the band back in 2013, while they were on a supporting co-headlining North American tour with one of their main influences, In Flames. They were all so calm and relaxed, treating the tour like it was a part of everyday life for them, despite not being a band known for touring all that much. Hell, Ryan Clark even openly admitted to me that night that that gig was the first New England show they had done in at least ten years!!!!

But I digress....

From the first track to the last, "War" shows a real expert level of songwriting variation, which has been a true staple that has solidified them in the past as one of the most prominent and consistent metal bands of their time.

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But don't take my word for it. Below I have provided my 5 favorite tracks from the album, which I feel you'll agree with me that they truly represent their varying plethora of skill to deliver some true works of metal art. Even when all the vocals maintain all clean and no scream, they still manage to give you a blast of heaviness that is seen in very few other bands of their stature and caliber, especially in this modern age where everything in metal music seems to have already been done.

Enjoy!

Cut to Fit

 

On My Side

 

The Negative

 

Lesser Gods

 

Gunfight (bonus track from the special edition package of the release)

 

- @damiancraymond