Demon Hunter "True Defiance"-Review

Demon Hunter "True Defiance" is a master piece, that's all that needs to be said.

I loved "The world is a Thorn" but this blows that album out of the water.

I don't know if I want to say this is my favorite album from Demon Hunter, because it almost seems cliche to say so. The same with comparing this album with the Triptych(considered by most to be their best album)

I'm just going to judge this album by…well…this album I think that's the best way to do it.

Crucifix

This is by far the heaviest song on the album, and it's one hell of an opening.

It's fast..it's hard…it's DEMON HUNTER! the song doesn't need an explanation because the explanation is in the name.  We also get an awesome solo from Patrick Judge starting at 2:54 and get  used to awesome guitar work and solo's by Judge because you will find one in almost every song.

God Forsaken

This is a favorite of mine on the album, the chorus and pre chorus are so catchy and well done, but that's why I love Demon Hunter in the first place. The song is not so much that we are "God Forsaken" it's more about the times when we are struggling killing this flesh and failing and we feel that we are "God Forsaken".

Cool solo by Judge at 3:16 and the song totally punches you in the face towards the end at 4:28 where it breaks off into a heavy riff.

My Destiny

The single for this record, it's heavy and Ryan's vocals take a different direction from almost anything you have ever heard from him, hard to explain but the vocals are awesome and set this song apart on the album.  I think Yogi(drummer) really shines on this song also, it's a very pounding rhythm of consistent epicness, yeah I said it.

Wake

A song calling for the godless to WAKE. I'd call this my favorite if I could actually choose a favorite from the album, but in all honesty I can not choose. Yogi Watts again is brilliant and the chorus is powerful

"Don't come crying for help when the fire surrounds you! when desperation calls you will obey! don't follow the mass to an endless grave."

I love the cymbal play by Yogi in the chorus specially right after "Desperation calls you will obey!" it's a cool beat.

Tomorrow Never Comes

Is the first slower paced song, and every Demon Hunter fan knows that Demon Hunter can do both very well. I will say that out of the slower songs "I am Stone"/"Dead Flowers"/"What is Left" "Tomorrow Never Comes" is my favorite. Granted "I am Stone" and "Tomorrow Never Comes" are more Ballads then just a slower paced song. This song just speaks to me in many different ways, and I found Ryan's explanation of the song on the bonus dvd to be pretty cool. Great song/great ballad enough said.

Someone To Hate

This was actually the first song that everyone got a taste of off the album, needless to say it didn't leave me disappointed. The setup to this song, from the epic beginning slowly rising into a song that just slaps you in the face with a unashamed stance of truth. I absolutely love this song and everything it stands for, i've heard it so many times that you would think I would be sick of it, I know every word and can play it still... over and over and over again!

This I Know

has such a play with words, and a drumming beat that I can't help but love it.  

And the battle is my way / I will go this path alone / I will take unto my prey, this I know All my life will sing the pain / My suffering will show / In the fight I find my name, this I know

Judge again kills it on this song. Nothing I dislike about it

Means to an End

Is an instrumental and a damn good one at that, very metallicaish

and is a cool lead in to the next song

We Don't Care

Again Yoggi…Judge…Clark all mending perfectly for a great song. Very much a song along the lines of "World is a thorn" the meaning and the sound itself.

I think any Follower of Christ can relate to the chorus..

Resistance

I like to call this "The song for the Atheist"..it's a song essentially talking about those who suppress the truth(read Romans 1:18). so much to love about this song also..

Dead Flowers

Has a very interesting vibe to it, it's slower and ballad like which is completely fine. It's a wonderful song, and has kind of a 80's vibe to it or at least I get that. While, like I said Demon Hunter kills it on Ballads. This song being a Ballad doesn't make it different for Demon Hunter, it's just the sound itself is a little different the whole 80's vibe, but they pull it off nicely.

What is Left

Is a slower paced song but not a ballad per-say. At first this is the one song I was a little iffy on, I didn't hate it…but didn't exactly like it either. However, when Ryan Clark explained the idea of the song and the meaning..it totally changed how I looked at the song.

I am Stone

Has the strings much like the "Driving Nails"(string mix) from last album, and I think it works very well just like Driving Nails did, actually I like this better then that song. Well done Ryan…well done..

"True Defiance"..well there you have it. Did you notice there wasn't one song on this album that I was down on? how does this not get a perfect score from me? You could say I am biased because Demon Hunter is my favorite band, but I dare you to listen fully to this album by them and following along with the lyrics and themes say you don't love this album.

I love what Patrick Judge brought to World Is a Thorn and I love what he brought to this album, now I'll be worried if Patrick Judge ever leaves or gets replaced (unless it's by Don Clark of course, although I think Judge is the better overall guitar player)

5 out of 5! Buy this now!