One of the leading forces in Christian metal is Demon Hunter, a band as driven by it’s love for volume as by its higher calling. You’ll see what we mean on Thursday when we debut the new Demon Hunter video for “Fading Away.” The song comes from the group’s upcoming album, Storm the Gates of Hell, which comes out November 6. In addition to conjuring unearthly sounds up his larynx, frontman Ryan Clark spends lots of time creating wild art work for some pretty big metal bands. And now he’s gonna tell you all about it:
Some of you may not know what I do on a daily basis, and some of you may assume that I spend most of my time on a tour bus driving around the country, rocking faces off every night. Although I do spend some time every year doing just that, truth be told, most of my days are spent behind a desk, designing album artwork, posters and more for a lot of bands that you may have heard of.
I’ve designed album art for bands like Throwdown, Norma Jean, He Is Legend, The Chariot, Funeral For A Friend, Haste The Day, Zao, August Burns Red, The Agony Scene, 36 Crazyfists, and many, many more. To be totally honest, aside from being in a band, it’s the best job anyone could dream of… And I get to do both, which is phenomenal to me and I’m thankful every day for it.
I’ve been drawing ever since I was a little kid, every second I had the chance. I got in trouble a lot for doodling in class when I was supposed to be doing class work. Kids in class used to ask if I would draw their faces, and I must’ve drawn all of them at one point. I went through a big Bart Simpson phase in 5th grade. And a Calvin & Hobbes phase before that. I learned to mimic other artists before finding my own style, and that really helped me learn how to control my pen or pencil.
In high school, I got heavy into graffiti. I did murals in about a dozen of my classmates’ bedrooms and the occasional freeway sign or train car (kids, don’t try this at home), and that scene opened me up to a whole world of new ideas and styles. Through graffiti, I learned a lot about typography, something I wouldn’t realize until some years later.
About seven years ago, after working some dead end jobs that I didn’t like and had nothing to do with what I was passionate about, I got a break. There was a design position open at Tooth & Nail/Solid State Records, and I had become friends with the art director who was there at the time. Not to mention, I had some history with the label since I had been in two bands signed to Solid State before starting Demon Hunter, [Focal Point and Training for Utopia].
After a couple weeks of interning, in which I essentially taught myself how to use all the design programs, I was offered the job. I had never done much art on a computer, so it was all new to me, but I was determined to try my hardest and really excel.
Today I’m the art director for the label and I also work for a design company called Invisible Creature, which I started with my brother, (and bandmate) Don. We’ve been so blessed in the last few years, I can barely believe it. We’ve worked with some of our favorite bands and I’ve had the opportunity to create some artwork that I’m really proud of. If you want to see some of the work that my brother and I have done, you can visit www.invisiblecreature.com.
So, if you’re ever curious about why Demon Hunter isn’t in your town every couple of months, there’s your answer. But rest assured, we’ll be there. Patience…
Until Thursday, watch Demon Hunter’s “One Thousand Apologies”:
Could someone tell me where the Carry Me Down video hides?? We’ve been waiting for it for more than a month.
where did you get your name by the way you guys are the best christian metal band out
Demon hunter is an amazing band and has let me minister to some o my friend at school and i am now known to some as “Jesus Metal boy” because instead of dealing illegal substances, i deal Christian music. I even got two of my friends to come to youth group. Thank you Demon Hunter, for standing for Christ and giving me the resources to show my friends Christ in something they enjoy. Again, thank you.
Demon Hunter rocks dude!!! U guys are awseome,your chritian which rocks aswel. Keep it up guys hopefully u will come on tour to new zealand one day and i will get to see you live.
christian life!
You sing what I feel and express what I can’t. Keep the beast out of the cage forever! Stick with that and no one will be able to stop you!
One in chains,
child
I’m truly a fan. I grew up here in the true center for Heavy Metal in WA - Kent. I’ve both played this kind of music and enjoyed it as a fan. You guys real players and fans as well. It makes me feel good to know that well written music is not dead. The title track makes me feel like I’m 18 yrs old again…Thanks
Hey I,m a 32 year old Christian Biker and a metal head since 12. Demon Hunter has a tremendous impact on my life and ministry. I appreciate your lyrics on storm the gates of hell & glad for your boldness. We NEED that in this dark age….GET BOLDER ON THE NEXT ALBUM so us Christian Soldiers can continue to feed the need…….you guys should do something with Becoming The Archetype. The keys and strings on this album are sick. FOLLOW THE WOLVES and STORM THE GATES OF HELL are the best. THIS IS TRULY A METAL SYMPHONY!!!!!!!!
Great album by the way as a follow up classic,and to all unbelievers goes a prayer to the imperfect world as it’s not about revival mear survival.
HEY ryan whutz up man??? i just wanted to say that u guys are my all time fav band and that will never change!!! also i just wanna say that ur guys new album is absolutly insane i didnt think it could get better then your last album but boy did u guys prove me wrong. well im out keep rockin DH i luv u guys!!!!
Just discovered DH and love you guys.
Storm The Gates Of Hell is the best album DH has produced so far!!! The lyrics are awesome! and DH RULES
DemonHunter–
Brothers! Awesome!! It is so within the Fathers plan that you guys are tearing it up for the Kingdom; so obvious.
Phenomenal!
your brother in The Way–
the OM2
The new album is amazing I do say go buy it now seriously now right now…
Man Demon Hunter rocks greatest metal bands ever WWWWOOOOO!!!
Demon Hunter rocks!!!!!! Please come to Oklahoma City. I pray your music touches lives everywhere that you go. It’s cool that you guys are going to be on headbangers ball I hope it reaches somebody that is watching your videos on it. Keep rockin for Jesus!
ive been a fan of DH since the S/T album came out. the new album will be featured in my myspace blog “Song of the week” and a weekly slide during wednesday night services for album of the week. i am working on a trailer for the album to show in both of these. it looks hype but i don’t know for sure if i can finish in time. i hope to see you guys in nashville soon. i’ve missed you every other time youve come and i hope i can make it this time.
with all due respect
Sterling A. Morrison
A couple weeks back I interviewed Don for a college class, and it’s really interesting to hear of two brothers who are in a heavy band who also design. I’m in a band with my brother as well, and I’m studying to be a graphic designer. I graduate in the spring, and going into the field, you both have been a huge inspiration for my design work and for the music we write.
Thanks for rockin’ our faces!
-Brian
Yo Guys keep it up! You Guys rock Hard and have help me in so many ways. cant wait till Storm The Gates Of Hell. Ive Been a Fan foever and always Will so you need to come to Sacromento again and Say Hello. God Bless.
I am a Demon Hunter fan. Crazy about this band. Righ now I’m creating a music video using the song “Undying”. Which gets the point across for what its about. I don’t want to do anything illegal because I am trying to start my own Band kinda like “Haste the day”. I can’t give away the name just yet. But I will soon. We have 4 members and looking for another guitarist. Bass or electric guitar one. But I am fixing to go to OBU which is Oklahoma Baptist University. I will be gone for 4 years. Then after that Its Game Time. But I hope to see Demon Hunter live in Ardmore, Oklahoma soon. But GOD has been blessing this band big time. But stick with what you are doing brothers. I hope to see you soon.
Being born into a very religious family, my faith in Jesus Christ has increased in strength thanks to your holy music, Demon Hunter. Your music teaches me to keep the faith; even when those around me are not so kind. I think of you more than just an ordinary band, but brothers who I would gladly give my life for! KEEP ROCKING FOR JESUS!
You guys are the best there is in my book. I have been waiting for the next album for awhile and as soon as i have it in my hands i am going pass the highest number on my volume knob on my stereo. Keep on rockin and keep giving us inspiration to go out and keep HUNTIN. GOD BLESS
I have been a fan for years & can’t wait for STGOH. The new video is amazing. Keep it up. God bless.
You guys have shown me that we can get through anything with belif in our god. I am a huge metal head and have to say all of your cds are great and can’t wait for this new cd. Please come to joplin or tulsa, we need you here
Can’t wait for the 6th Of November - Just wanted to say that your music and the Energy it thrusts through my Soul is the very prayer of mine that I would (and other Christians) storm the Gates with this type of Passion/Boldness! Resurrection Power - Bottom line: Hebrews 13:8 - May the Lord send a heavy downpour of Grace/Power/Understanding on His people in these Dark Days! Not Pride; Just the Given Confindence In the Lord!! Amen. Thank you for your hard work Demon Hunter.
Demon Hunter, you guys are incredible. Thank you so much for what you do and the passion you put behind it. I cannot wait for STGOH and to read all your lyrics…I love Christ and am so glad a band with such awesome intensity and style does too. You all are an inspiration and your music never fails to keep me goin through good or bad days. You guys rock harder than anything out christian or mainstream and do so with such amazing meaning and purpose…so please…GO ON TOUR and COME TO DENVER!!!!! and bring trenches and oh, sleeper with you!
Keep doing what you do Demon Hunter…i have been a big fan for quite some time….keep to your message and what you believe in….that passion that you show is so apparent in your music and lyrics….i am definitely looking forward to the new cd!
Great video! I love Demon Hunter… I can’t wait for Storm the Gates of Hell.
DH ROCKS THE HIZOUSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! first Christian band i got into last christian band that i will get out of! you guys are blessed with mucho talent(o). All i have to say is….DEMON HUNTER EARRINGS WOULD ROCK! DEMON HUNTER PWNS
LOL
Alright,
I am a devoted Christ-follower, and a metal head since birth, i have written reviews for websites, and have listened to just about everything that has hit the market in the music industry from rap to metal to opera. And i still hold true to the fact the Demon Hunter, is and always will be one of the hardest and best examples of Christian metal. They are definitely my favorite group of the genre, and by far the best representation for Christ-followers in this dark world we live. They stay devoted to the message at all costs, and it has granted them favor in every area. Now saying that, i am totally taken aback at the fact that the front man is a graphic artist. a career to which i still devote some time, even though i left it formost to become a fulltime minister, that makes me love them even more. May they keep blasting ears clean off of the heads of listeners for many moons to come!
I am fifteen years old, and have devoted my life to serving Jesus Christ. Never in my entire life have I heard a band that speaks with such deep, ever-knowing words of wisdom like Demon Hunter. Their faith is undescribable. Their love for God is unwavering. Demon Hunter is the light of strength that keeps my faith burning through the darkest of times. I too am ready to Storm the Gates of Hell. Together brothers, we shall overcome the darkness!
I´m brazilian and a big fan of Demon Hunter.
Please Demon Hunter, come to Brazil !!!
i want to storm the gates of mtv.
let me see the new video!
not just US guys, there’s a whole world out there
aaaaaaaaaah. I’ve been waiting for this new album for two very long years! Thank you so much. Keep drawing, keep making such music and keep killing evil.
You are ones of the best guys in the world, you rock, you are blessed forever, you are truly Demon Hunters.
Until I started listening to you guys I never heard of any Christian band ever being on MTV, let alone Headbangers Ball. You guys are by far the best band I’ve ever heard, mainstream or Christian. I can’t wait for November 6 cuz I’m ready to Storm The Gates Of Hell. Keep rockin and God bless
I have been into metal since I was 15 years old (Mortification, Disciple, The Crucified, Living Sacrific,…) DH has so much talent and drive. It is also exciting how connected they are with their fans. Rock on & God Bless.
Hey Ryan,
Listen, just wanted to ay I appreciate the passion behind the music. It seems like every song has something spiritual to offer, and the best part is that it’s all stuff any Christian can relate too. I think we’ve all shared feelings like the stuff you write about, and it helps dude….and ofcourse the fact that every freak’n song you do melts my face off with awesomeness :P.
The fact that your both an artist and a metalhead is awesome. That’s such a dream career it ain’t funny.
The Hunters have your back, we’re ready to Storm the Gate of Hell
-Eric
Oshawa, Ontario, Canada
demon hunter rocks dh is the first christian band i ever herd after hearing them i realy stared to stop lissing 2 the bad music i was lissoning 2 and ever sence that day i,ve onaly lissoned 2 christian music i own all 3 albums and i am so excited about storm the gates of hell i was hoping u guy would have a new album came out thats y this rocks
God bless
Ryan,
I have been so blessed to see your transition from the kid spray painting bedrooms to who you have become now (albeit from a distance recently)! Congratulations! The new stuff is amazing!
Shaun Weiss
Elko NV via Sac. town
Im sooooooooooooooooo pround being a woman of god knowing i have such an awesome brother in christ! im proud an always well be for sure..i know god is going to break thougth to the world thougth this band
thougth jesus christ!
they have the aim an the bate an god will run with it!
there music has helped me thoguth alot of ups..alot! an im blessed to know thougth it..its helped me stay on gods word an im thankfull an blessed truely..
now if god would bless me a man of his..
Elizabeth
Las vegas Nv
I have just been listening to the title track (”storm the gates of hell”) and it is one of the best songs i have heard all year! fading away was good, but not the demon hunter that i know and love. this song has automatically gotten me to say: “i am going to buy this thing”!! Ryan, i love your art (you have done the artwork for ‘STORM THE GATES OF HELL’ AND norma jean’s REDEEMER,right?)..love you guys and GOD BLESS!!!
thanks for everything!!
—-Chris J. Reynolds
dude jonathan….. between Demon Hunter and Becoming The Archetype there will always be Faces Melted in heaven… and many many other bands but those to in specific for me but nice blog Ryan
Viva La Resistance
It’s really awesome to see you guys getting some serious advertisement. I’ve been a fan for forever! I hope I get to see you again soon! Still your biggest fan!! ~Sara~
Ryan and Demon Hunter are awesome…no one does more for their fan than DH…no one…DH ROCKS THE FREAKING METAL!!!
the best band there is! between demon hunter and underoath there will awlays be rock in heaven! but this year we’re all storming the gates of hell together!!
DH has been a cool way to escape some of the day to day that i’ve had to go through for the last year and a half or so. what they do for their fans is something i haven’t ever seen from a band before.
my 8 year old son loves it when i pop in the Triptych or Summer of Darkness, and though ym wife doesn’t understand the need for metal, she realizes that there is a lot of other stuff out there that we could be listening to that’s nowhere near as cool as DH.
thanks Ryan and Don and the rest of you guys for rockin it like you do. looking forward to STGOH in November.
thats awesome i didn’t know all that keep up the artwork its AMAZING!
Demon Hunter is the greatest! Their music really helps me stay focused on God and makes me proud to be a Christian!
I agree with Justin.. DH is an amazing band, they have been truly blessed by God! And I’de like to thank DH for being bold in their faith, its rele helped me to realize its cool to be a christian.
God Bless!
-Aaron
i’ve followed ryan clark almost religiously. a buddy introduced me to focal point when i was in highschool and i continued to follow after training for utopia and later demon hunter. as a christian metal band they are so versatile and deserve the respect they are just beginning to get from the mainstream metal society, especially with their fourth debut (storm the gates of hell). looking forward to more from these guys. the hunters are always watching.
much respect Ryan. What you do with your artwork is just as awesome as your work in Demon Hunter. I’m just thankful that you choose to do two jobs instead of just one. you’re a good man.
Don and Ryan. Art and metal UBER-studs.
I’ve been completely hooked on Demon Hunter since they first came out. I’m so thankful they are one of the few bands out there who have stayed true to thereselves and their fans. Thanks and I love you guys.
i am very glad to see demon hunter getting noticed. they are a great band and deserve so much. there music helps me with problems and hard times. thank you demon hunter for your love for your fans.
truly justin.
it’s great to see demon hunter getting mainstream coverage