Next on the Master's Chopping Block: the Melodeath Assault of Bloodhunter

This time around, I will be taking a look at one of the most criminally underrated bands in metal today, melodic death metal masters, Bloodhunter!

Bloodhunter are a melodeath band hailing from Galicia, Spain. They have an awesome sound with shredding and soaring twin guitars. This adds to the a full blown attack clearly influenced by melodeath gods like At The Gates and Carcass, as well taking in the power of giants like Slayer, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Death, and more. Their pounding power makes them one of the most exciting bands in extreme metal, one that only gets better with each release.

I got introduced to their music thanks to originally being a huge fan of all female Brazilian death/ thrash metal outfit, Nervosa. While, I was already fan of these heavy thrashers, but to me their finest work came with 2021's Perpetual Chaos. And, this was in large to their then newly hired signer the incredible Diva Satanica. Unfortunately she only lasted that one album with them and was soon returning to her previous band, this one, Bloodhunter. As soon as I heard their music, I became a huge fan. Their mix of melody and heaviness makes them my exact cup of musical blood. Why they aren't bigger, I honestly don't know.

They were formed by guitarist Dani Arcos in 2008 and have had several line-up changes over time. But, the band really found themselves when they hired Diva Satanica as their vocalist in 2012. Her incredible voice really gave them their signature sound and feel. In 2014, they released their self-titled debut. 2017, saw them put out their second release, The End of Faith. I got into them with their third release 2022's Knowledge Was the Price. The melodic and soaring, yet heavy music was perfect listening material to my ears, with songs like the title track, "A Twist of Fate to Come", "Medea's Guidance", and "Spreading Your Disease" quickly becoming favorites of mine.

This year saw them put out their fourth full length release with the killer Sons of the Abandoned. It is their finest work to date. Featuring piercing and ripping guitars with driving and thundering power, the album is both beautiful and absolutely fucking rips. Diva Satanica proves, yet again, that she is truly one of the genre's very best. Songs like "The Devil's Own", "The Outspoken", "Threshold of Hell", "The Path that Never Ends" (which features a duet with another lady that is among the finest voices in metal today Burning Witches' Laura Guldemond), an absolutely ripping cover of the classic track by Canadian thrash gods Annihilator "Human Insecticide" (which is also the album closer) are among the best extreme metal songs you have not heard this year. In fact, I would go as far as saying that this album is in my top five or so of the year son far. It's truly fucking killer!

If I can even get one new fan amongst you guys then I have truly done my job. If you like metal acts like At The Gates, Carcass, Symbolic era Death, Nervosa (obviously), and Crypta, then you will love this band, as I do. Diva Satanica's incredible vocals mixing in with the amazing musicianship (that twin guitar attack!) make for a classic, perfect fit. One that is like a leather glove, a studded one, of course.

Satanica also seems to be coolest and nicest person around. I love her social media posts., especially cuz she is a fellow dog owner/ lover. I mean there is no way faster to my heart than being a dog person and playing/ loving heavy metal music!

Time to take a dive into their kick ass music!

The first single off of the current album Sons of the Abounded, this fucker rocks so goddamn hard!

What a killer cover of an Annihilator classic!

Are a fellow fan of this amazing Spanish band? Or is this your first time hearing them? If so what are your thoughts? Let me know in the comments section below!

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Next on the Master's Chopping Block: The Unstoppable Sound of Sumo Cyco

Welcome loyal headbangers, I'm starting a new ongoing series on the site where I'll be introducing you to hard rock and metal bands that deserve more attention, love, and exposure. No filler, no bullshit, just pure ass kicking talent that should be on everyone's radar. First up on the chopping block is a band that refuses to be ignored: Sumo Cyco! 

Sumo Cyco are an alt-metal/ punk band from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The band has four members: lead singer Skye Sweetnam, guitar player Matt Drake, bass player Oscar Anesetti, and drummer Joey Muha. Their sound mixes driving alt-metal riffs with punk attitude and pop hooks. It makes for a catchy, driving, and fun sound. The music gets you moving around with enough heavy groove to make you wanna bang that head and jump in the pit. It really makes for a fresh sound that helps to set them apart from a lot of their contemporaries.

I was introduced to them earlier this year by someone who not only also hails from Canada, but has great taste in music and knows mine well. So when she told me to check them out I did just that. And, they immediately caught my attention. Pretty much instantly I became a fan and put them into heavy rotation, especially in the last couple of days. And, might add, they are a great band to workout to! I have used them several times and, man, do they ever get this gym loving metalhead going and all pumped up!

Sumo Cyco was formed in March 2011. A month later, they played their first show opening up for Hollywood Undead. It didn't take them long to get recognition and awards. As a year after that, they won Best Female-Fronted Band at the Toronto Independent Music Awards. On October 20, 2013, they won at Indie Week Toronto.

On June 10, 2014, they released their debut album Lost in Cyco City. Two years later that album's kick ass track "Fighter" was used for the World Dart Association (WDA). March 31, 2017 saw their sophomore release, with Opus Mar. It featured a collab with Benji Webbe of Skindred for the single "Move Mountains". That song has such a good and energetic groove. May 7, 2021 saw their third album come out in the form of Initiation, with a deluxe version coming out October 8, 2021. It featured the driving and thunderous single, "Sun Eater".

On October 24, 2025, their latest album, Neon Void, was released, with a physical retail and colored vinyl coming out on November 7 of the same year. It's their best work yet. Their sound as its tightest with what is overall their best sounding and written music, yet. Add some solid and clear production by guitarist Matt Drake and Salvatore Sam Guiana, a mix of fun and aggressive tunes, and you have an album that is incredibly energetic to listen to. It is a real winner from start to finish. It might just be the best album you didn't listen to last year, but most definitely should have. 

Once you hear their music you simply will not be able to stop. In a very short period of time, they became a band that I love to put on. They get me moving (hence why they are so fucking good for the gym), banging my head, and signing right along. The fact is they write great ear-worms that stay with you. The band are energetic with strong instrumental talent. And, they fronted by a kick ass woman in Skye Sweetnam. The 38 year old Ontario native has previous experience in the pop punk world. I know that some metalheads may roll their eyes at that, but I think she works perfectly for them. She has a killer voice, including a great scream, and a really fun, lively, and commanding presence onstage. Add it all up and you get a chef's kiss of fucking awesome results!

Dive into some of their best songs and videos and I guarantee you will be a fan for life!

Honestly this is probably my favorite track by them. It sums them up perfectly. A fun. hyper-energetic banger that you won't want to stop listening and signing along to!

This one might be my favorite off of their latest. Not sure, though, cuz "Villains" is so fucking good, as well. In fact, every song kicks so much fucking ass on it!

Are a fan of this band? Is this the first time hearing them? And, if so are you now a fellow fan for life? Let me know your thoughts in the comments section below!

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