Exile (Demon Hunter album)

Exile is the eleventh studio album by American Christian metal band Demon Hunter, released through their self-founded record label, Weapons MFG, and the band's first concept album. It was announced for release on September 9, 2022,[9] then delayed to October 28, 2022,[10] due to supply chain issues.[11]

Exile
Studio album by
ReleasedOctober 28, 2022 (2022-10-28)
Recorded2021–2022
GenreChristian metal, alternative metal, groove metal
Length62:48
LabelWeapons MFG
ProducerJeremiah Scott
Demon Hunter chronology
Songs of Death and Resurrection
(2021)
Exile
(2022)
Alternate Cover
Singles from Exile
  1. "Freedom Is Dead"
    Released: June 4, 2022[1]
  2. "Silence the World"
    Released: July 1, 2022[2]
  3. "Defense Mechanism"
    Released: July 15, 2022[3]
  4. "Heaven Don't Cry"
    Released: August 6, 2022[4]
  5. "Godless"
    Released: August 20, 2022[5]
  6. "Master"
    Released: September 3, 2022[6]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[7]
Jesus Freak Hideout[8]

Background

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Six singles were released ahead of Exile, including "Silence the World", "Defense Mechanism", and "Godless", featuring vocals from Tom S. Englund (Evergrey) and Max Cavalera (ex-Sepultura, Soulfly),[12] and a guitar solo by Richie Faulkner (Judas Priest) respectively.[13] It marks Faulkner's first studio recording since suffering an aortic rupture and dissection and subsequent 10-hour surgery.[14] Among the track listing was a new recording of the song "Praise the Void", previously released in Demon Hunter's acoustic album Songs of Death and Resurrection a year prior. In conjunction with the album, a four-part comic series written by Ryan Clark was released, and in September the band embarked on an anniversary tour celebrating 20 years since their official debut.[15]

Chart performance

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The album sold 6,400 copies in its first week, debuting at No. 200 on the Billboard 200, No. 1 of Top Christian Albums, No. 3 of Top Hard Rock Albums, No. 3 of Top Independent Albums, No. 4 of Top Rock Albums and No. 9 of Top Albums Sales.[16]

Track listing

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No.TitleLength
1."Defense Mechanism" (featuring Max Cavalera of Soulfly)3:37
2."Master"4:07
3."Silence the World" (featuring Tom S. Englund of Evergrey)7:13
4."Heaven Don't Cry"4:25
5."Another Place"4:18
6."Freedom Is Dead"2:53
7."Praise the Void"5:30
8."Revolutions"5:35
9."Chemicals"6:25
10."Godless" (featuring Richie Faulkner of Judas Priest)4:55
11."Devotion"4:55
12."Along the Way"8:08
Total length:62:48
Deluxe edition
No.TitleLength
13."Sleepwalker"5:05
14."Exile"3:57
Total length:71:50

The deluxe also includes six storyline interludes, complete with voiceovers and sound effects.

Personnel

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Demon Hunter

  • Ryan Clark – lead vocals
  • Patrick Judge – lead guitar, keys, programming
  • Jeremiah Scott – rhythm guitar, backing vocals, production, engineering, mixing, programming
  • Jon Dunn – bass guitar
  • Timothy "Yogi" Watts – drums, backing vocals

Additional personnel

  • Max Cavalera – additional vocals on "Defense Mechanism"
  • Tom S. Englund – additional vocals on "Silence the World"
  • Richie Faulkner – lead guitar and solo on "Godless"
  • Zeuss – mastering
  • Dan Seagrave – album artwork
  • Randy Torres – storyline interlude sound design (for Deluxe Edition)
  • Joanna Ott - backing vocals and piano (Praise the Void)
  • Samantha Philyaw – voice of Hunter Woodson (for Deluxe Edition sound interludes)
  • Loren Tew – gang vocals

References

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  1. ^ "DEMON HUNTER Streams New Single, Recruits SOULFLY, JUDAS PRIEST & EVERGREY Members For New Album". Metal Injection. June 4, 2022. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  2. ^ "DEMON HUNTER Recruits EVERGREY's Vocalist For New Single "Silence The World"". Metal Injection. July 1, 2022. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  3. ^ "DEMON HUNTER Streams Furious New Single "Defense Mechanism" Feat. MAX CAVALERA". Metal Injection. July 15, 2022. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  4. ^ "DEMON HUNTER Gets A Little Industrial On New Single "Heaven Don't Cry"". Metal Injection. August 6, 2022. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  5. ^ "DEMON HUNTER Recruits JUDAS PRIEST's RICHIE FAULKNER For New Track "Godless"". Metal Injection. August 20, 2022. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  6. ^ "DEMON HUNTER Streams New Single "Master"". Metal Injection. September 3, 2022. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  7. ^ Monger, James Christopher. "Exile - Demon Hunter". AllMusic. Retrieved December 1, 2022.
  8. ^ Zaloum, Joel (November 7, 2022). "Demon Hunter, "Exile" Review". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  9. ^ "DEMON HUNTER Announces 'Exile' Album Details, Shares 'Freedom Is Dead' Music Video". Blabbermouth.net. June 3, 2022. Retrieved June 3, 2022.
  10. ^ "Demon Hunter Delay New Album "Exile" To Late October Release". ThePRP. August 26, 2022. Retrieved August 26, 2022.
  11. ^ "DEMON HUNTER Pushes New Album Back To October". Metal Injection. August 26, 2022. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  12. ^ Wookubus (July 14, 2022). "Demon Hunter Premiere "Defense Mechanism", Soulfly's Max Cavalera Guests". Theprp. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
  13. ^ "JUDAS PRIEST's RICHIE FAULKNER Records Guest Solo on DEMON HUNTER's Upcoming Album". December 15, 2021.
  14. ^ "JUDAS PRIEST's RICHIE FAULKER Will Guest On New DEMON HUNTER Record". Metal Injection. December 16, 2021. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  15. ^ "DEMON HUNTER Announces 'Exile' Album Details, Shares 'Freedom is Dead' Music Video". June 3, 2022.
  16. ^ "POLYPHIA's latest album lands at #33 on Billboard Top 200". lambgoat.com. Retrieved November 29, 2022.