Demon Hunter was the band that opened my eyes to heavy Christian music. I developed a taste for Metallica and Megadeth but shied away from exploring deeper metallic depths, struggling to reconcile my Christian faith with the darker subjects in metal. Once I discovered Demon Hunter and Christian metal, I dove in headlong into the depths. Since then my fervor would wax and wane over the years for the Seattle band, however, four years ago DH’s songsaccompanied me during the darkest nights of m life, sealing my fanboy status.
My daughter Izzy was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome on March 31, 2017, coincidentally the release date of “Outlive.” Her life is a long story, but from April 2020 to July 2022, she needed specialized hospital care that was only available 300 miles from home. During that time I lived and worked beside her away from home with only periodic visits from my wife and other children due to the distance. I got back listening to DH and other bands as an outlet for pent up stress in the latter months. She passed away unexpectedly on July 13. To experience the injustice of your child’s death, especially when believing against it, is pure spiritual vertigo. “Dead Flowers” and other DH songs helped in a dizzying aftermath, holding on to hope that she will be waiting on the other side of heaven’s door. Music helped me move forward, but the wounds are never gone.
Like many bands that span careers over two decades, DH‘s musical language has shifted over time, trading rage for measured emotional and intellectual appeal. Their 2022 album saw the band take on their first concept album in “Exile” with a spinoff comic miniseries. They released a couple of B-sides since then, but 2024 was particularly quiet for the band. In early 2025, the singles for the new album started coming out with little narrative on the album until the dedication of the music video for “There Was A Light Here.” It was to vocalist Ryan Clark’s mother who had recently passed away.
It is in the light of loss that “TWALH” is inspired. The lyrical themes and funereal imagery makes that clear, but Ryan’s loss doesn’t detour the trajectory that DH has been on musically, as they balance genius for melody and drive for metal with profound lyrics. They have come a long way from their early metalcore days, but elements of that early sound in their rhythmic focus and breakdowns are there in a more developed way. The album is meticulously crafted with its songwriting, track order, and production that it’s hard for me to find fault.
Ryan’s voice still remains the main attraction with his nimbleness to switch from harsh to clean seamlessly delivering choice melody. but I really appreciated Patrick’s judiciously placed guitar solos that deepened the musical conversation with longer spaces to play. Yogi’s drums remain impenetrable with great lightning episodes in “Ouroboros” and “My Place In The Dirt.” Although not often in the spotlight, Jeremiah’s rhythm guitar and Jonathan’s bass lays down great grooves and essential harmonic support to elevate DH’s work.
Each of the songs are unique, bringing forward diverse musical episodes, such as the metallic waltzing chorus in the grooving “Hang The Fire,” the dancing vibe of “I’m Done,” the dreamy texture of “Breaking Through Me,” and the biting “My Place in the Dirt.” The melodies are infectious, filled with great hooks and a thicker musical texture with prominent synths. The ballads, “The Pain In Me Is Gone” and “There Was A Light Here,” continue to show DH’s ability to connect emotionally in the darkest times of life.
Although many of the lyrics focus on death and grief, there is hope and a little bit of theological musing. “The Pain” uses a neat lyrical device in speaking from the perspective of the soul that passed away. I found much solace imagining my daughter’s stay in the hospital, marked with many painful episodes. In a similar way “Breaking Through Me” is a conversation between the singer and someone who has passed on about working through grief. However, it isn’t all grief-stricken lyrics with some characteristically biting social criticism against religious hypocrisy in “My Place In The Dirt” and in failing to stand against falsehoods in “Ouroboros.”
Although this album resonates strongly with me, there are a couple of spots that irked me. On an album with stellar melodies throughout, “By A Thread” was not as strong. Similarly, “The Pain” has an artistic edge in the verse with its monotonous distorted guitars that feels very dull. However, in light of the lyrics and the beautifully full chorus, I can handle it. Maybe it is an allegory for life.
“There Was A Light Here” is the ending the album builds towards. The song is atypical, showcasing a vulnerable side to the band in this heartfelt ballad. I applaud the restraint that lands perfectly for the message without going into power ballad mode. The ending gospel choir vibe and reflective atmosphere, ends an album filled with heavy emotions on an optimistic note, leaving me lighter than when it began.
“TWALH” is an incredible album and a very important one in the pantheon of DH‘s discography. Is it the best? Depends on how you define best. With only a couple of irksome spots compared to the great variety of replayable songs that resonate deeply with me, it is definitely top tier, and one that I will be playing often. Highly recommended if you haven’t had a chance to check it out.
Demon Hunter is currently touring in the USA and coming through my backyard of San Antonio, TX. I am taking four of my crew up to learn the finer points of mosh pits while jamming out to the new songs. I am sure Izzy will be there too.
Rating: 9.5/10
Written by Sean Bailey
Tracklist
1 – My Place In The Dirt
2 – Sorrow Light The Way
3 – Light Bends
4 – The Pain In Me Is Gone
5 – By A Thread
6 – I’m Done
7 – Ouroboros
8 – Breaking Through Me
9 – Overwhelming Closure
10 – Hang The Fire
11 – Reflected
12 – There Was A Light Here
Demon Hunter is:
Ryan Clark – vocals
Patrick Judge – lead guitars
Jeremiah Scott – rhythm guitars
Jonathan Dunn – bass
Yogi Watts – drums
Release Date: September 12, 2025
Record Label: Weapons MFG
Discography:
2002: Demon Hunter
2004: Summer of Darkness
2005: The Triptych
2007: Storm The Gates of Hell
2009: Live In Nashville
2010: The World Is A Thorn
2011: Death, A Destination – Compilation
2012: True Defiance [review]
2014: Extremist [review]
2017: Outlive [review]
2019: War [review]
2019: Peace[review]
2021: Songs of Death and Resurrection [review]
2022: Exile[review]
2025: There Was A Light Here
Social Media: Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Spotify | Bandcamp
Video for There Was A Light Here
Lyric video for The Pain In Me Is Gone
Video for Sorrow Light The Way
Video for Light Bends
Video for I’m Done