Huntress - Starbound Beast

Last Updated on Friday, 26 July 2013 11:37 Written by EvaLantsoght

Artist: Huntress

Album: Starbound Beast

Label: Napalm Records

Genre: Heavy Metal

Released: July 2nd, 2013

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Starbound Beast is the second record of Californian heavy metal band Huntress. The key figure of this female-fronted metal band is Jill Janus, who possesses of a very versatile voice, with the music of Huntress built around showcasing her talent.

Only one year after releasing the previous album Spell Eater, Huntress are back with Starbound Beast. The central theme of this album is about returning to the stars, going back to our very origin.

The single of the album “I Want To Fuck You To Death” does not really fit in this theme, but it's cowritten with Lemmy from Motorhead. If you only hear this track, because of Lemmy or because of its title, don't be misleaded – it's not representative for the rest of the album.

Starbound Beast bears similarities to Beware the Heavens by Sinergy: heavy metal full of references to Judas Priest and Iron Maiden, with powerful female vocals. Huntress sports a slightly hoarser voice than Sinergy, and uses lyrics that are more wiccan-inspired, but otherwise the parallels are plentiful.

Overall, Starbound Beast is a well-balanced album (with only “I Want To Fuck You To Death” as the odd duck in there), that mostly focuses on the vocal fireworks of Jill Janus, but here and there leaves some space for cool guitar licks as well.

Some of the best tracks on Starbound Beast include the fierce “Blood Sisters”, “Starbound Beast” and “Oracle” - songs that could be straight from the 80s in their true metal state, but that are layered with the spectacle of vocals that Jill Janus serves up.

To conclude: you might have heard of Huntress because of the buzz about the band in the USA – but set aside your prejudices and give them a chance: Huntress certainly are a band that are still growing, but the vocals on Starboud Beast are already through the roof. Recommended for all fans of Judas Priest and Iron Maiden who are not too macho to tolerate a gal behind the microphone.