Concert Review: Huntress at Fubar in St. Louis September 14, 2016 -photos and review by Danny Nichols

A lot has changed since I first heard “Eight of Swords” in early 2012 and instantly fell head over heels in love with the band Huntress.  Their debut album Spell Eater is a masterpiece of dark pagan metal, which is very reminiscent of classic Mercyful Fate.  

Jill Janus had somehow mastered the four octave vocal style of the previously believed inimitable King Diamond.  The riffs carry all the precision and power of thrash metal, with a clear black metal influence. The subject matter drew heavily from Janus’ deep connection with and knowledge of witchcraft. 

Subsequent albums Starbound Beast and Static have moved a little away from the Mercyful Fate sound, and closer to a darkened power metal.  Comparisons in their sound now could be drawn to bands like Hammerfall and Helloween, except still uniquely harkening back to classic first wave black metal and early thrash metal.  Lyrically, while still maintaining a foothold in the world of the occult, Huntress shifted focus first to a metaphorical fascination with celestial matters and then with an exploration of mental distress.  

Album Review: "Static" by Huntress

Static

Huntress is in a very small and exclusive club.

They are the only band whom I've reviewed all of their albums.

The first two albums never really struck me very hard. Their debut was good enough, but their sophomore record doubled down on some of the aesthetic elements of the band I found to be a bit distasteful, shall we say.

Huntress has been billed as the next King Diamond or Mercyful Fate.

That's a very good thing because we need a new one. The King is getting up there in years and needs an Heir Apparent.

Unfortunately, they had not lived up to that title in their previous efforts. All of the ingredients were there, but something was always missing....

"Starbound Beast" by Huntress

Huntress, the King Diamond Inspired, pagan metal band from just last year is back with their sophomore record. It is gratifying to see that they are hard at work. Between the last time they graced these pages, they have played St. Louis twice and have released Starbound Beast.

That's very good. There have been a couple other bands whose sophomore effort we're all still waiting for.... You may recall that Huntress is a band that I believe could turn into something great. They have the right ingredients. Their first album was an interesting debut. It certainly had its strengths and weaknesses. The title cut was spectacular in particular. We were all introduced to Ms. Jill Janus, the lead vocalist. She  has a range similar to that of King Diamond, though she can go higher and he can go lower, but she also has the growls and the howls to go along with the shrieks and operatic runs. She is a very talented woman.

Album Review: "Spell Eater" by Huntress

Do you know whom I love?

Iron Maiden and King Diamond.

For awhile, I thought that King Diamond was Iron Maiden every time I heard them because of the way the King and Bruce both sing. Huge and rangy. Couple that with twin guitars of death and throw in some scary, metal imagery and you're already 65% of the way to an awesome metal record.

Well, now let me get to the point of the matter. When is the last time you heard a metal band like that? For me, it was in 2008 when King Diamond released "Give Me Your Soul Please" and in 2010 when Iron Maiden released "The Final Frontier," but obviously neither of these two bands are new. Fast forward to to 2012 and a new band has arrived to pick up the mantle of whatever the hell kind of metal this is....Huntress.