Huntress was an American heavy metal band. It was founded in the underground music scene of Highland Park, Los Angeles when lead vocalist Jill Janus moved to Los Angeles where she met an underground metal band called 'Professor' in 2009. Huntress was signed by Napalm Records in November 2011. A debut EP Off with Her Head was released in 2010.[1] On December 27, 2011, they released their first single, "Eight of Swords", to promote their debut album, Spell Eater.[2]

Huntress
Huntress at Rock im Park 2014
Huntress at Rock im Park 2014
Background information
OriginHighland Park, Los Angeles, U.S.
GenresHeavy metal
Years active2009–2018
LabelsNapalm
Past members
  • Jill Janus
  • Blake Meahl
  • Eli Santana
  • Tyler Meahl
  • Eric Harris
  • Ian Alden
  • Greg Imhoff
  • Sean Ford
  • Carl Wierzbicky
  • Anthony Crocamo
  • Spencer Jacob

In October 2015, Janus posted a now-deleted note on Facebook announcing the band would finish its activities, but that she would continue to make music.[3] Lead guitarist Blake Meahl, however, dismissed her statement as a consequence of her health and mental issues, and said the band would continue to perform.[4] On August 14, 2018, Jill Janus died by suicide.[5][6][7]

Style

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The band's style has been observed as classic heavy metal with influences of thrash and dark metal. The songs featured frequent screaming by lead vocalist Janus, who was classically trained and had a vocal range of four octaves.[8]

Band members

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  • Jill Janus – lead vocals (2009–2018; her death)
  • Blake Meahl – lead guitar, backing vocals (2009–2018)
  • Eli Santana – rhythm guitar, backing vocals (2014–2018)
  • Tyler Meahl – drums (2014–2018)
  • Eric Harris – bass (2010–2012, 2016–2018)
  • Ian Alden – bass (2012–2015), rhythm guitar (2009–2012)
  • Greg Imhoff – bass (2009–2010)
  • Sean Ford – drums (2009–2010)
  • Carl Wierzbicky – drums (2010–2014)
  • Anthony Crocamo – rhythm guitar (2012–2013)
  • Spencer Jacob Grau – bass (2015–2016)

Timeline

Discography

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Studio albums
Title Album details Peak chart positions Sales
US
Heat

[9]
Spell Eater
  • Released: April 27, 2012
  • Label: Napalm Records
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download[10]
Starbound Beast
  • Released: July 2, 2013
  • Label: Napalm Records
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download[13]
12
Static
  • Released: September 25, 2015
  • Label: Napalm Records
  • Formats: CD, LP, digital download
18
EPs
Title Album details
Off with Her Head
  • Released: March 30, 2010
  • Label: Self-released
  • Formats: digital download
Eight of Swords
  • Released: December 27, 2011
  • Label: Napalm Records
  • Formats: LP
Music videos
Year Title Directed Album Ref.
2011 "Eight of Swords" Simon Chan Eight of Swords [20]
2012 "Spell Eater" Spell Eater [21]
2013 "Zenith" Phil Mucci Starbound Beast [22]
2015 "Sorrow" Static [23]

Awards and nominations

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Year Nominated work Award Result
2014 "Zenith" Revolver Golden Gods Awards Best Film & Video[24] Nominated

References

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  1. ^ Jurek, Thom. "Huntress". Allmusic. Retrieved August 6, 2012.
  2. ^ "Huntress Bio". Huntresskills.com. Archived from the original on April 7, 2012. Retrieved April 21, 2012.
  3. ^ Hartmann, Graham (October 28, 2015). "Jill Janus Apparently Puts End to Huntress". Loudwire. Townsquare Media. Retrieved October 28, 2015.
  4. ^ Kielty, Martin (October 29, 2015). "Huntress not splitting says Meahl". Metal Hammer. Team Rock. Retrieved October 29, 2015.
  5. ^ "HUNTRESS Singer JILL JANUS Dies In Apparent Suicide". Blabbermouth.net. August 16, 2018. Retrieved August 16, 2018.
  6. ^ "Huntress Frontwoman Jill Janus Has Died". Loudwire. August 16, 2018.
  7. ^ "Huntress frontwoman Jill Janus dies at 43". BBC News. August 16, 2018. Retrieved August 16, 2018.
  8. ^ Kessler, Sebastian (May 21, 2012). "Huntress – Spell Eater". Metal Hammer (in German). Retrieved August 6, 2012.
  9. ^ "Huntress - Chart history". Billboard.com. July 20, 2013. Retrieved June 12, 2015.
  10. ^ "iTunes - Music - Spell Eater by Huntress". Itunes.apple.com. April 27, 2012. Retrieved June 12, 2015.
  11. ^ "Metal By Numbers 5/23: Tenacious D Rize To The Top 5". Metalinsider.net. May 23, 2012. Retrieved June 12, 2015.
  12. ^ "Metal By Numbers 5/16: Taking The Charts by Storm". Metalinsider.net. May 16, 2012. Retrieved June 12, 2015.
  13. ^ "iTunes - Music - Starbound Beast by Huntress". Itunes.apple.com. June 28, 2013. Retrieved June 12, 2015.
  14. ^ "Metal By Numbers 8/14: Asking Alexandria About The Charts". Metalinsider.net. August 14, 2013. Retrieved June 12, 2015.
  15. ^ "Metal By Numbers 8/7: Unsurprisingly, Five Finger Death Punch Have a Number 2 Record". Metalinsider.net. August 7, 2013. Retrieved June 12, 2015.
  16. ^ "Metal By Numbers 7/24: Respect Walk Through Exits Only". Metalinsider.net. July 24, 2013. Retrieved June 12, 2015.
  17. ^ "Metal By Numbers 7/17: Like Festivals To Flames". Metalinsider.net. July 17, 2013. Retrieved June 12, 2015.
  18. ^ "Metal By Numbers 7/11: Summer Doldrums Hit The Charts". Metalinsider.net. July 11, 2013. Retrieved June 12, 2015.
  19. ^ "Metal By Numbers 10/7: The charts drive it homeMetal Insider". Metalinsider.net. October 7, 2015. Retrieved August 16, 2018.
  20. ^ "HUNTRESS - Eight of Swords | Napalm Records". YouTube.com. December 30, 2011. Retrieved June 12, 2015.
  21. ^ "Huntress Unleash 'Spell Eater' Video". Loudwire.com. May 7, 2012. Retrieved June 12, 2015.
  22. ^ "Huntress: 'Zenith' Video Released". Blabbermouth.net. August 21, 2013. Retrieved June 12, 2015.
  23. ^ "Huntress, 'Sorrow' - Exclusiv Video Premiere". Loudwire.com. September 25, 2015. Retrieved August 19, 2017.
  24. ^ "And the winners of the 2014 Revolver Golden Gods Awards are…". Metalinsider.net. April 24, 2014. Retrieved June 12, 2015.
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