Demon Hunter: There Was A Light Here | To Be or Not to Be
(2025 – Weapons MFG)
Demon Hunter’s dilemma is complicated. Their position on the scene does not allow for any missteps. It is not for nothing that they are a kind of benchmark within Christian metalcore, and their challenge seems to be focused on maintaining the laurels they have earned, with certain nuances but nothing more. A new album means putting themselves to the test again, and in this case, it could be said that Demon Hunter is walking a fine line between the original essence that brought them here and the sound they themselves have been promoting for several years.
This new album feels like an expected release within the parameters and limits that Demon Hunter has managed to build in recent times, but at the same time it pays homage with a certain nostalgia to their early days, although in an almost imperceptible way, one might say.
There Was A Light Here cannot be considered a bad album by any means; quite the contrary. The album contains different moods that make it interesting and even entertaining. Fans of the band will be happy to find an album that confirms what Demon Hunter is all about, but the band itself seems limited to an aesthetic from which it cannot seem to move, although at times the hope of finding some risk out there keeps me listening attentively.
“My Place In The Dirt” opens the album. It is perhaps the missing link with the ‘old’ Demon Hunter and is the only song that makes you want to bang your head. On the other hand, “Sorrow Light The Way” is a heartfelt melody laden with melancholy feelings and one of those choruses so often used and abused in metalcore. “Light Bends” has that feeling of going for the heavy stuff over and over again in another track that dangerously debates between hard riffs, guitar licks, and a feeling more typical of pop music than metal itself.
Mind you, “The Pain In Me Is Gone” turns out to be something much more interesting. It’s a simple, ballad-like song that, while it strays from the “normal” that one might find in a band like Demon Hunter, could be the ‘different’ one on the album. “By A Thread” is a return to the band’s more classic sound and delivers one of the most energetic moments on the album, in its own way, of course.
With “I’m Done,” we once again have that mix of something more pop-like, heavy guitars, and a heavy base that repeats almost constantly, and ohhhhh!!! Surprise!!!! To our delight, it contains one of the few (or the only?) guitar solos on the album.
Yes, that’s the way, guys; “Ouroboros” should be the narrow path that Demon Hunter should follow, and it’s possibly one of my favorite songs on this album. Breaking the climax a little, “Breaking Through Me” completely changes the atmosphere, slowing down the tempo and introducing us to a melancholic, dark, and intriguing moment, while “Overwhelming Closure” brings us back to something melodic/pop with endless guitar strumming and an excellent guitar solo, once again. Something similar happens with “Hang The Fire.”
A mix of different heavy riffs and melodies is what “Reflected” offers. Its dry and sharp base, along with a catchy and not too original chorus, leaves no room for further comment, while one of the most interesting moments seems to come at the end. “There Was A Light Here” is not only the title track of the album. It is also the final song and, if I’m not mistaken, one of the most beautiful and exciting moments on the album. A song that hits hard and stirs the depths of your being. Many feelings are expressed in a single song, which justifies the entire album and is capable of moving even the hardest of hearts. At the risk of being wrong, it is one of the best things on the album and in Demon Hunter’s career.
This new album by Demon Hunter keeps them at the top of the hardcore scene and confirms why they are an almost legendary band at this point. Unlike the rest, they have their own personality cultivated over the years, but they don’t take too many risks either. Certain attempts to go down other paths may be tempting to take risks, but ultimately, the band seems comfortable with their particular sound and style. In any case, “There Was A Light Here” undoubtedly has what it takes to be considered one of the best albums of the year, although I have my doubts that the passage of time will turn it into a “classic” for the band. Time will tell.
There isn’t much to say about the artwork accompanying the album, except that the cover follows the same logic as all their other releases. The classic logo is present, this time surrounded by flames. Nothing very original. The excellence comes from within. The design of the inner sleeve is superb, and really justifies purchasing it in physical format. The lyrics and various high-quality photographs add a lot, and the CD version is a mix between the classic acrylic box and digipack, but with really high quality. Take note, this album also has a vinyl version and even a cassette version, which is no small detail for those of us who defend the physical format in music.
The sound quality of the album is good, but it is not superb or superlative for what Demon Hunter is as a band. It was recorded in several recording studios and produced by Ryan Clark himself and Jeremias Scott, who also served as recording engineer. The mixing was done by Zeuss, except for “There Was A Light Here,” which featured Eric Stenman. The sound quality did not surprise us. We would highlight the different nuances in the vocals and the mixing of the guitars, which sound heavy enough.
“There Was A Light Here” is definitely worth at least one listen. Anyone who is a fan of Demon Hunter will naturally love this album. For the rest of us mortals, and even those of us who are not used to swimming in the turbulent waters of the metalcore genre, giving it a listen is not only advisable, but you may even end up enjoying it.
Here are the links to find and follow Demon Hunter on social media and stay up to date with their latest news (including their upcoming tour of Argentina and Brazil). You can also watch the video for “I’m Done” below…
https://www.facebook.com/demonhunter
https://www.instagram.com/demonhunter
