Music Review: Demon Hunter – The World is a Thorn
Vitals:
Name: Demon Hunter
Album: The World is a Thorn
Release Date:03/09/2010
Label: Solid State
Genre(s): Christian Metal
Producer: Aaron Sprinkle (Kutless, Project 86, Demon Hunter, Zao)
Highlights
- Cover Art
- Björn “Speed” Strid of Soilwork guest vocals on “Collapsing“
Not-So-Highlights
- More of the same, even with the new guitar player change-up
- Vocals too high in the mix, band sounds distant
Opinion
I had another review written and posted here on the site, but somehow I lost all data relevant to it. Database error or something. So here we go again, somewhat revised and maybe a little less harsh:
Demon Hunter fans should be pleased with this album, no doubt about it. Absolutely nothing new or groundbreaking, but unmistakably a DH album.
“Collapsing” Is the single track from The World is a Thorn and probably my favorite, if I had to pick. Björn “Speed” Strid of Soilwork contributes guest vocals on this song and definitely gives it a Soilwork fit and finish. As much as I like this track, it’s also frustrating to hear an intro that sounds like something out of a Duran Duran (think Pop Trash from 2000) studio session. Seriously, DH?? To me, it’s like Demon Hunter wrote this song to attract Soilwork fans, not just because of the synergy between bands. That’s the asshole music snob in me talking.
“Lifewar” is a “death march” of sorts. A pulsing foot stomper, “Lifewar” is more a march to get your taxes done than a march to war. There was such a perfect opportunity for this song to build into something epic in scale, but it just meanders ahead without much thought regarding potential. Come on guys!
There is a typical Demon Hunter-ish blend of heavy riffing and melodic ballads throughout this album. Being a guitar player myself, it’s amazing to hear two new guitarists in this band still have little new impact on the overall sound. I figured it’d at least freshen things up, but nope, it’s still a “typical” Demon Hunter album.
I guess in the end, I’ll never hear out of Demon Hunter what I want to hear. They’ve yet to blow my mind, and probably will continue that way. While other bands in the metal genre continue to evolve and progress towards greatness, Demon Hunter plows straight ahead in the Christian metal scene without much regard to what’s going on around them. At least they’re not writing complete dreck. It’s certainly good for people getting into metal who still like some melody in their music. What it won’t do is compel you to stop what you’re doing just to listen to it. \m/
Rating
(2.5/5)
Replay Value: Moderate
Recommend? To current Demon Hunter fans, yes.
I actually liked this album quite a bit, but you are right when you said that it was more of the same. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing sometimes though. I’m starting to hear some repetition in Dream Theater too but they still blow my mind with each new album. Overall, I don’t find it as good as Storming the Gates of Hell or The Tryptich but it is a good album.
I’m glad you reviewed this, I was never a big fan of Demon Hunter, and I almost thought about trying them out. Now that I’ve read this, (plus I trust your judgment) I don’t think I’ll be spending any money on this album. Thanks!
For the record, I did purchase this album… I own the other DH back titles and this is a solid album, just not what I expected or wanted from a new record. With the band lineup change I was expecting more musical forward-thinking, but if you’re a fan of DH, you’ll be happy. It was definitely worth the $9.99 that I paid.
Personally, I’m BEYOND satisfied with the new album. Now, anyone who knows me knows that I’m the ultimate DH fan (them being my favorite band of all time, and all), but don’t be quick to jump me and tell me I’m just saying that because they’re my favorite band and I’m in a hurry to kiss up. Not so…every album they’ve put out I’ve held to the standard of the first album I heard by them,
“Summer of Darkness” from 2004. In my most humble of opinions (whatever that means), I think that “The World Is A Thorn” comes closer than any other DH album to SoD.
This isn’t saying that there are any DH albums I HAVEN’T liked…I own and love them all…just some albums I prefer over others. For instance, “Storm The Gates Of Hell” is my least favorite DH album, but I never pass up an opportunity to listen to it if I get one. To each his own, I suppose.
I have to disagree with the statement about the new guitarists not making much of a difference, though…Patrick Judge’s solos in “Thorn” are by far the by far the best in ANY DH album to date. I personally think Judge is the edgiest lead guitarist DH has had yet. And new rhythm guitarist Ryan Helm definitely added a more raw aspect to his position.
Also, the title track for “Thorn” takes DH to a new level entirely, being by far the heaviest and most bone-crushing DH song since the SoD era. The apparent elements of a more old-school thrash completely blew my mind.
I would give “Thorn” a 4.5/5 rating (.5 deducted because of the one song (two on the Deluxe Edition) that end by fading out (“Feel As Though You Could,” “Desire The Pain”)…not a fan of that. Initially wasn’t thrilled with the auto-tune in “Blood In The Tears” either, but I grew used to that.
Happy Hunting! \m/>_<\m/