Album Rating: 1.5 | Sound Off

Thanks Pizza Machine for putting a voice to a lot of the disappointment and sheer boredom that I've felt with this album. Even the few rockers in this collection feel hastily executed and unoriginal. I know that Demon Hunter has always showcased melodic ballads alongside their searing headbangers. But this is such a snooze-fest. Heck, even 2017's somewhat mild-mannered Outlive feels like a barnstormer compared to Exile.

Album Rating: 2.0

music's average but the lyrics make me want to 2 it

Album Rating: 2.5 | Sound Off

I feel you @pizza. Never thought I’d get a disappointing release from DH but I suppose entropy is inevitable. They’ve had a strong 20 year run. And bands can bounce back from falters such as this.

The state of modern heavy metal is interesting to me. I say “interesting” because that sounds a bit more optimistic than “depressing.” While there are a handful of current metal bands carving a truly unique and exciting path (Gojira, Mastodon, Katatonia, Opeth) and others at the top of their game (Soilwork, Decapitated, Scar Symmetry) there has been a disheartening trend in recent years. I’m speaking of course about “metal” created by people that clearly have no respect for the genre.

Now I’m not one to set a bunch of rules here, but I’m pretty sure the feelings of true metal lovers are fairly unanimous. For starters, making metal palatable for your average 14-year-old Bruno Mars fan (whether that’s through the music itself, or in how it’s presented) is despicable. Heavy metal should not appear safe.

Secondly, incorporating unique musical elements can sweeten an otherwise drab tune, but let’s not get carried away. No one wants to hear a Russian techno beat and auto-tuned vocals come blasting in halfway through your breakdown like a drunken, blathering, half-dressed, college party girl exploding through the church doors, mid-sermon on Sunday morning. If this kind of ear assault is a welcome treat for anyone, then calmly walk into your bathroom, look into the mirror, and convince yourself that metal is not for you.

And finally, if your band’s inspiration pool doesn’t even reach back far enough to hit the 90s, it’s time to do some soul searching. Everything created by young musicians in the last 10 years is starting to sound the same- in a bad way. Stop regurgitating the same Underøath song. They’re not going to ask your band to go on tour. Do yourselves a huge favor and look back… to the 90s, 80s, 70s.

You can thank me later.

-Ryan Clark, Demon Hunter

That’s ten years old btw lol

This is one of the few bands where I feel ashamed to have ever liked any of their shit. I’m okay with that

Album Rating: 1.0

I know that quote is at least 10 years old at this point



But that still puts him in his 30s when he said that....

Album Rating: 2.0

This is their weakest release by far. Outlive and TWIAT where, at least, well produced and had a few standout songs. This sounds awful and I could barely finish the album.

Album Rating: 2.5 | Sound Off

“Outlive and TWIAT were, at least, well produced … this sounds awful.” Yessir. Hard for me to evaluate the songs fairly when songs are so heavily affected by flaccid production.

Album Rating: 2.5

Nah bro it’s pretty stale

Album art is cool at least

[2]

Also, the Train of metal

(Probably not [maybe], but I wanted to make the comment either way)

I wanna throw in a “My Tears, Your Weapon” joke, but my editors aren’t having it and my approval rating already took a hit by not taking a definitive stance on Train Hunter.

They’ll scold me when I reveal that the first draft was “The James Blunt of Metal”
Blunts were pretty metal a few years ago

Album Rating: 2.5

Holy shit what happened here

They’re going to a lot of trouble for Demon Hunter of all things

Album Rating: 2.5

Album art looks like it was made by the same guy who did the one for Chevelle’s latest album.

😈 They’re so demonic, they’re such hunters 🏹🎻

Album Rating: 2.5

That avg chart has gotta be a joke

Album Rating: 2.5

Christians have no chill

Album Rating: 2.5 | Sound Off

Religious zealotry or fan zealotry, dude is either 12 or mentally 12. I even posted criticism on r/DemonHunter of all places and many agree this album has problems. One of the major issues with the conservative Christian sphere is taking any criticism as some kind of religious targeting/oppression. DH typically rose above this by just releasing solid-ass tunes. This album is lacking.