Huntsmen: The Heavy Riff Masters of American Doom
Huntsmen is a Chicago-based heavy metal band known for weaving intricate storytelling with crushing, atmospheric doom and sludge. Formed in 2014, the group has carved a distinct path in the modern metal scene with their ambitious concept albums and powerful live performances.
Early career
The band coalesced in Chicago in 2014, founded by guitarists Chris Kang and Aimee Bueno alongside vocalist and guitarist Marc Stranger-Najjar. Drawing from the city's rich history of heavy music, they quickly began crafting a sound that blended the weight of American sludge with elements of folk and progressive metal. Their initial self-released material, including the 2015 EP Demo MMXV, established their narrative-driven approach and raw, potent sound.
Breakthrough
Huntsmen's breakthrough arrived with their 2018 debut full-length album, American Scrap, released via Prosthetic Records. This concept album, a bleak exploration of American decline, received critical acclaim for its scope and execution, solidifying their reputation. The record's success was amplified by extensive touring and a follow-up EP, Mandala of Fear, in 2019, which further expanded their narrative universe.
Key tracks
Bury Me Deep — This sprawling track from their debut showcases their signature blend of haunting clean vocals and aggressive sludge passages.
The Barrens — A key song from their second album that highlights their folk influences and epic, cinematic song structures.
Rain — A more atmospheric and melancholic piece demonstrating the band's dynamic range and emotional depth.
Colossus — A powerful, riff-heavy anthem that exemplifies the crushing weight at the core of the Huntsmen sound.
The band's ambitious sophomore double-album, The Dying Pines, arrived in 2022, also on Prosthetic Records. This release saw Huntsmen refining their storytelling, creating a dense, post-apocalyptic narrative across four sides of vinyl. Their work continues to explore the darker corners of the American psyche through a lens of heavy, progressive doom metal.
Fans of Huntsmen's textured and heavy approach may also appreciate the work of similar American metal acts. YOB shares a mastery of meditative, colossal doom riffs. Pallbearer offers a similarly melodic and emotionally resonant take on the doom genre. Neurosis provides a clear influence with their pioneering blend of sludge, atmosphere, and concept. Mountain Witch explores comparable narrative themes within a stoner and doom framework.
The music of Huntsmen is a staple on specialty metal and independent rock radio stations, particularly those focusing on doom, sludge, and progressive heavy music. Their albums receive regular rotation on online rock radio streams dedicated to underground and extreme metal, finding an audience eager for substantive, heavy storytelling.
Listeners can discover the powerful discography of Huntsmen through the dedicated metal and rock radio stations available on onairium.com. Tune in to hear their epic tracks and explore the depths of their modern doom sound directly on our featured radio platforms.
