Huntress - Static
September 25th will see the third studio album release from female fronted Metal band Huntress. Without building up any atmospheric tension or having any form of intro, the album immediately launches in to Sorrow - an opening track which could easily make you think you've hit skip in to the middle of the song. Influences of original bay area thrash bands can definitely be heard through this album, having previously supported Testament and currently on tour with Motorhead it is clear to see why Huntress would compliment these bands so well.
Vocalist Jill Janus has what can only be described as an epic vocal range and every octave isn’t only achieved, it is smashed through almost effortlessly, making so many other female fronted Metal bands look like amateurs. Jill's natural attitude comes shining through on every track - this isn’t just the produce of someone who fancied giving metal a go. A true range of Jill Janus’s vocal abilities can be heard on the track Mania, starting off with a hypnotising guitar and faint echoing vocals, this is a track that really stands out for it’s stunning thought provoking lyrics which are powerfully delivered. This isn’t a band that’s just screaming for the sake of screaming, there is passion behind every lyric, drum beat, guitar and bass note, Mania sees a different tempo to the remainder of the album but in a way that only exhibits the bands musical and vocal talents further.
Hard Times on Planet Stoked is definitely one of the fun tracks on the album, it is easy to visualise how awesome a video for this track could be, and as a live track it would certainly get you in the pit, throwing the horns, singing along, regardless if it was the first time you had ever heard it. Hard Times on Planet Stoked has just the right amount of ingredients for a timeless classic, nothing is overdone, so many bands overfill songs with lengthy guitar solo’s that leaves you headbanging on auto pilot getting more and more bored by the minute, but Huntress really have nailed it with finding this perfect balance not only on this track but throughout the entire album.
Overall Static is a fantastic third studio album from Huntress, the quality of the recording is flawless, and if you haven’t heard of the band before it will definitely encourage you to check out their entire back catalogue.