Guitarist and backup vocalist Ryan Helm has announced his departure from Seattle-based Christian metallers Demon Hunter.

Helm joined Demon Hunter in 2009 as the replacement for Don Clark and is featured on the band’s latest album, The World Is A Thorn.

Acccording to a statement released by Helm‘s management, the guitarist’s departure “was inevitable; however, it was on good terms.” He plans to primarily focus on his solo project, Damien Deadson, which will release its debut album in January 2012.

Demon Hunter has just released The World Is A Thorn Digital Deluxe Edition, which contains the band’s music video for Collapsing and four acoustic tracks, including the never-before-heard cover of the Alice In Chains classic Down in a hole.. 

The group’s fifth CD follows the landmark documentary “45 Days”, “Live In Nashville” collection and a catalog of landmark releases that have made the band one of the most important in the genre. From the last album were 14,000 copies sold in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 39 on The Billboard 200 chart.

They also recently released a new music video. The new music video LifeWar is directed by Cale Glendening. The song is off The World Is A Thorn which was released on March 9 , 2010 via Solid State Records. Watch the premiere of the new music video for LifeWar below.

Related articles:
Interview with Demon Hunter [Dec. 2009]
‘Demon Hunter’ – ‘The World Is A Thorn’ [Deluxe Box Edition] CD review
‘Demon Hunter’ Releases Christmas Song [+ update Sept. 10th.] [Sept.2011]
‘Demon Hunter’ To Release New Digital Deluxe Edition Of ‘The World Is A Thorn’ [+ 4 Bonus Tracks] [Nov. 2011]