Interviews About Albums: HUNTER - Rebel Angels Rise (2023)

In this new interview, we sat down with the Belgian Heavy Metal band HUNTER to ask some questions about their album "Rebel Angels Rise". 

1. What can you say about this new CD?

It's our second album to date, and it took longer than we wanted it to take.

But with COVID hindering our songwriting process, it took almost 4 years. However, we're very happy with the result. Now that everything came together, they're good songs, the mix is great and the artwork really sells it. We're very pleased it's already turning heads and people are enjoying it.

2. What is the meaning of the CD name?

One of the songs is called Rebel Angels Rise. It's basically Lucifer's rallying call after being banished to Hell. The entire song is about not giving up when you seem to be down or defeated.

3. Which one is the composer of the CD?

We write songs as a collective, so we can't really call anyone the composer. It's the five of us. Someone comes up with a cool riff and we start building a song around it at practice. 

4. If you had to pick one song, which one would you pick?

I personally would pick Suffocate. I don't think it's anyone else's favorite, but I like how fast it is, and how brutal. It's very different from anything we've done before. Before we had the middle part, it was relentless, and I love the thrashy feel to it.

5. Is there a special message in this CD? If there is what is it?

Oh, the main theme of this album is death and the apocalypse so I don't think there's a lot of message other than, we're doomed, hahaha. Seriously though, even though it's got very cliché topics, some of these songs are hopeful and triumphant. So I think the message is, when the going gets tough, the tough get going. Face your challenges head-on.

6. Are there some lyrics that you'd love to share?

To illustrate the songs usually take a turn for the better, the final 2 verses of Morior Invictus:

I struggled through relentless tears

Fought my demons and my fears

No more courage, no more hope

Only memories of those who died

Maybe time does heal all wounds

Soon in spring it all will bloom

Once more courage

Once more hope

And the memories of those who died

7. Which inspirations have been important for this album? Like musically or friends, family, someone you'd love to thank especially?

For lyrics, I took inspiration from many different things. The Bible. A movie. A book. The death of my grandfather, my mother, and my best friend in 2022. 

For music, we get inspired by 80s heavy metal a lot and we're not hiding it. We try to take the evil from Overkill, the quirks from Cirith Ungol, the epic from Omen, the atmosphere from Manilla Road, and the melody from Iron Maiden. 

If there's anyone to thank, it's the metalheads that don't ask us why we don't "innovate", and that like us for what we do (and don't do).

8. Something to add?

Keep on supporting the underground and go to concerts!