DEMON HUNTER Prove How Powerful Music Can Be With Their Emotionally Filled 12th Album 'There Was A Light Here'

(Image: Tylar Byars)

Music.  It has the ability to portray emotions of any type on any level to the people who listen to it. Whether it’s happy tunes that make you smile and dance like a maniac or songs that make you sit and cry, music is a powerful tool when used correctly. One band that has mastered this over the years are American metallers Demon Hunter, who have released their incredibly emotional 12^th album ‘There Was A Light Here’.

Now I’ve loved Demon Hunter since the edgy teen emo years at school (we’ve all gone through that phase, don’t deny it) after hearing their tracks ‘The Soldier’s Song’ and ‘My Heartstrings Come Undone’. At the time, Demon Hunter were different to a lot of the other bands I listened to. And as I’ve grown older, they’re one of the few bands that have had constant rotation in my playlists or CD collection. ‘There Was A Light Here’ is another example of just why Demon Hunter are, to me, in a league of their own. Not just from a musical level, but from an emotional one as well.

Over the 12 tracks, we’re treated to the iconic Demon Hunter sound whilst still keeping it fresh and not stuck on repeat. Deep and meaningful vocals, melodic guitar riffs and some of the finest drum work. There is a great balance of the heavy and light side of the metalcore genre, whilst also throwing in splashes of Christian Rock and Alternative Metal as well. Even after listening to this album several times, each track feels new with each spin and the appreciation for both the music and theme filled lyrics increases by the end of the album’s run.

Outside the music itself are the lyrics. Again to me, the album is a thought-provoker. Dabbling in themes of love, loss, light and more – its one that gets you thinking and reflecting on life. The title track in particular – one that is a tribute to vocalist Ryan Clark’s late mother who sadly left the world in 2023 – is beautiful. It stands out from the rest of the tracks both musically and vocally. Its hauntingly beautiful and therapeutic, finding a way to connect to the fans who have gone through similar emotions felt during a time of loss.

This is the band at their rawest. This is the band at their most emotional. This is the band at their most powerful.

Whilst you can feel the pain and sorrow Ryan feels from losing someone so close, you can also feel the love and light he feels for his mother, a light that will never leave him whilst he continues to remember her and the magic she left behind. Whilst the title track is a heavy hitter based on the theme of loss, it is also a reminder that whilst someone is no longer with us, it’s the memory of them that keeps them alive in ours hearts and souls for the time that follows their departure.

As much as we all love a good ‘throw yourselves into the mosh pit and go crazy’ anthem, it is the emotional level that Demon Hunter taps into that makes this album truly unique. The way it hits you in the emotions is on a different level and that’s what makes it truly memorable amongst the releases we’ve had throughout 2025.