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Rebel Angels Rise

    
       
       
       
     
             
Hunter are a heavy metal band from Belgium formed in 2016, releasing their debut album 'Hunter' in 2019, and sophomore album 'Rebel Angels Rise' in 2023.    
             
Firmly rooted in the traditional heavy metal genre, Hunter take risks with their new album - although I think risks may be too strong a word, adventures may be a better descriptor! For among all the heavy metal on offer, the seven new songs feature elements of thrash and hard rock among the "highs and lows, speed and slows, screams and grunts, sizzling riffs and twin solos". The band have matured since their debut - and it shows! Album opener 'Wicked' launches with the classic guitar sound of the iconic NWOBHM, proceeding to plant both feet firmly on the monitor as it gallops forth. And just a little hint at 'Painkiller'-era Judas Priest too - Hunter revelling in the sound of old school heavy metal! On the other side of the galloping metal style, is the thunderous foot stomp - 'The Forge' opening with the mightiest stomp you can imagine, adopting the more familiar, and lively, infectious riddled heavy metal stance! The opening one-two have been fiercely addictive, making listeners immediately sit up and take notice...    
             
...notice of a band very much in the ascendancy, the album powering on with the most melodious song heard so far, the title song 'Rebel Angels Rise' - although there is still a faint element of the foot stomping style of heavy metal. As 'Rebel Angels Rise' (the album) has progressed from the opening salvo, it has just gotten better and better, Hunter standing tall and proud right bang in the middle of the traditional metal genre! A totally different ambience descends on the album courtesy of the mellow 'Requiem', adopting a hymn-like balladry as it trots head long into hard rock territory - switching to a glorious gallop at the one minute mark! Strains of the terrific galloping stance of Iron Maiden's 'The Trooper' rises high from 'Requiem', the band echoing the metal masters style perfectly. 'The Knight Of The Black Rose (part 2)' is the continuation of the saga that began on the bands debut album with 'The Knight Of The Black Rose' - 'part 2' is a beefy and fairly anthemic march of the harshest riffing heard so far. The band hit hard and kick harder with 'part 2', switching to an infectious swagger leading up to and through the chorus break.    
             
And for the first time, Hunter press the pedal firmly to the metal, accelerating on with the fast paced 'Suffocate' - banging heads hard all over the world. A mosh pit friendly offering, listeners, fans, followers and concert goers will all be stretching their necks as far they can to this one! The 'Priest influence from earlier makes its presence felt once again, 'Morior Invictus' a power driven yet fairly melodic march. And with just one song remaining, Hunter have maintained a high level of intensity coupled with an in your face attitude that just screams "heavy metal" - the four year wait for new material has definitley been worth it! The final song 'Dominion MMXXIII' is a re-recorded version of 'Dominion' - the opening song featured on the bands self titled debut. This version is delivered at the same pace, tempo and feel as the original, the band maintaining the incredible intensity level of 'Rebel Angels Rise' (the album). And if you didn't know it was a re-record of an older song, you'd swear it was written at the same time as the rest of this album - 'Dominion MMXXIII' slotting in seamlessly!    
             
Overall, a hard driving power driven album of galloping heavy metal nodding heavily in the direction of the glorious eighties.    
             
             
Review by Iron Mathew Collins    
             
Reviewed for Hard Life Promotion    
             
             
Other Reviews    
             

           
           
Hunter      
           
"a thundering slice of metal that takes in various styles, but remains true to the stance, feel and purpose of heavy metal" Read Review      
     
     
     
           
             
             
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