Tracklisting:
1. Crucifix (3:44)
2. God Forsaken (5:49)
3. My Destiny (4:15)
4. Wake (4:12)
5. Tomorrow Never Comes (4:53)
6. Someone To Hate (5:24)
7. This I Know (4:04)
8. Means To An End (2:50)
9. We Don't Care (3:37)
10. Resistance (4:24)
11. Dead Flowers (5:23)
12. What Is Left (Deluxe Edition Bonus Track) (4:28)
13. I Am A Stone (Deluxe Edition Bonus Track) (5:46)

For an album to sell well it has to hyped, this is true even among the more established names, they need to say there’s something different, some reason you should buy this new product. So when it came time for Demon Hunter to hype their new album True Defiance they announced it as a return to what they called “True Metal.” The hope was that True Defiance would be an answer to critics of Christian Metal, fortunately for the band, it lives up to the hype.

From the beginning True Defiance defiantly is a step up from the progressive metal slightly less aggressive The World is a Thorn. From the opening raw sound of the first track “Crucifix” to the darkness of “Someone to Hate” even to the closer on both the regular and extended versions (“Dead Flowers”"I Am a Stone” ) there seems to be a feeling of a return to form as listeners get drawn in by the exciting changes and rifts that comprise True Defiance. Back also is the bands seemingly flawless ability to execute Ballads, songs like “If Tomorrow Never Comes” and the aforementioned “Dead Flowers” stand out as true DH ballads.

Lyrically this album may be the best DH album. There are some tracks that almost seem new age in their message, but this is still rarer than what was found on previous records. However if you’re worried about DH lightening the mood, don’t, this album may actually be their darkest yet. The darkness starts with “Crucifix” which follows the path of humanity down into depraved destruction, but provides a message of hope in remembering the cross. “God Forsaken” talks about our tendency to reject the work of salvation in our lives. “Wake” might be one of the lighter tracks on the album, it would also be the only track that doesn’t mention the hope of salvation.

DH also returns with more messages about Spiritual Warfare, depression, resisting conformity and hopelessness with the message of hope found in the gospel of Christ. The opening track “Crucifix” though dark, culminates in this message of hope, Ryan Clark sings “All the blood and the shame, the defamation of name, the weight of a wicked world, embodied on a thankless crucifix, Embodied on a blood soaked crucifix.”

If you’re looking for stand out songs the one that stands out the most is probably found on the Deluxe Edition. “I Am A Stone” other than being the best ballad DH has ever done follows the work of salvation from our defiance from God to the strength we eventually find in Him. The song also is a nice instrumental change using only keyboards and synthesizers to create something new.

All in all True Defiance is a step back in the right direction for the band that gets increasingly better, and increasingly darker with time. Fans new and old will enjoy the “True Metal” feel that’s been missing from Christian Metal for so long.