Bloodhunter – Sons of the Abandoned

Spanish melodic death metal force Bloodhunter return with Sons Of The Abandoned, their fourth studio album and follow-up to 2022’s Knowledge Was The Price. For me, this album hits a little differently because I have known Diva Satanica since before she was even a vocalist. I have had the pleasure of following her career through Bloodhunter, her performance on what I consider the best Nervosa album, and her guest appearances with other bands. Watching that progression makes Sons Of The Abandoned feel like more than just another extreme metal release. It feels like another major step in the journey of one of the most ferocious and recognizable voices in modern metal.

Bloodhunter have always carried a sharp, aggressive sound, but this album shows a band that knows exactly what it wants to say. Diva Satanica is joined by Dani Arcos and Guillermo Starless on guitars, Fabian Tejeda on bass, and Adrian Perales on drums, and together they deliver an album that blends melodic death metal, thrash, groove, and emotional weight. The record deals with personal struggle, identity, survival, and the kind of realities that sit underneath the surface of everyday life.

The album opens with “The Devil’s Own,” a track that immediately comes out swinging. Beyond the heavy riffs and Diva’s vicious vocal attack, the song deals with the emotional reality of touring and everything fans do not see beyond the actual performance. Fans see the stage, the lights, the energy, and the final product, but there is a whole other side involving sacrifice, exhaustion, distance, and the personal cost of living that life. It is a strong opener because it gives the album both power and meaning right out of the gate.

“The Outspoken” keeps the intensity high and features one of my favorite guitar solos on the album. The track has that Bloodhunter bite, with pounding drums, aggressive riffs, and enough melody to keep it memorable without ever softening the attack. Dani and Guillermo sound locked in throughout the record, but this song really shows how strong their lead work can be when given room to shine.

“The Threshold Of Hell” is one of the album’s biggest moments, featuring Fernando Ribeiro of Moonspell with a spoken-word addition that brings a darker and more dramatic atmosphere to the song. I love the title, and the song’s theme of war gives it a heavy, confrontational edge. The video is great as well, and the chants of “WAR” are going to be massive in a live setting. You can already picture the crowd shouting that back at the band.

The title track, “Sons Of The Abandoned,” makes you ask the obvious question: who are the abandoned? That is what makes the song interesting. It feels like it could represent people left behind by society, by family, by systems, or even by their own dreams. The track carries that feeling of isolation and defiance, while still delivering the melodic death metal aggression Bloodhunter fans expect.

“No One Beats Death” is, of course, about living life to the fullest. With a line like “Living your life is the only chance,” the message is direct and powerful. Musically, I love the slowdown section that still stays incredibly heavy. It gives the song extra weight and makes the impact hit even harder. This is one of those tracks that feels built for both the pit and the mind.

“The Path That Never Ends” features guest vocals from Laura Guldemond of Burning Witches, and her voice adds a great contrast to Diva’s growls. This track also has another one of my favorite solos on the album. The combination of harsh vocals, clean vocals, strong riffing, and lead guitar work makes it one of the most dynamic songs here.

“The Night Is Darker Before The Dawn” is an instrumental, which has become something of a tradition on Bloodhunter albums. This is probably the closest thing to a ballad on the record. It is a beautiful instrumental that shows the band’s diversity and proves they can create emotion without relying on vocals or constant aggression.

“Masters Of Deceive” feels like it could be a shot at world leaders, or maybe a certain leader, depending on how you hear it. If you listen to my podcast interview with Diva, you will know which one I chose. Haha. Either way, the song has that angry, confrontational feel that fits perfectly with the theme.

The album closes with Bloodhunter’s traditional cover song, and being Canadian, I love that they chose Annihilator’s “Human Insecticide” from Alice In Hell. It fits the band perfectly, and Diva is absolutely ferocious on it. Not that she is not ferocious on every track, but she tears through this one with serious intensity.

Sons Of The Abandoned is aggressive, melodic, personal, and full of strong performances. Bloodhunter continue to evolve without losing their edge, and Diva Satanica once again proves why she is such a commanding presence in extreme metal. Also, make sure you check out The Metal Pit Podcast, where I interviewed Diva about this album and got deeper into the songs, the lyrics, and the meaning behind the record.