Spanish melodic death metal force BLOODHUNTER return with Sons Of The Abandoned, a record that feels like a defining moment for the band. It is fast, aggressive, melodic, emotionally charged and packed with the kind of extreme metal fire that has long sat at the heart of BLOODHUNTER’s sound. But underneath the blast beats, sharp riffs, grooves and darkness, there is something far more personal driving this album.
I recently caught up with BLOODHUNTER vocalist Diva Satanica for Crannk to talk about the new record, the journey behind it, and why this album feels like such a massive turning point for the band.
From the moment we started talking, it was clear that Sons Of The Abandoned is not just another heavy album built around speed and aggression. It digs into identity, vulnerability, toxic environments, inner demons, generational disconnection, survival, and the cost of walking your own path in a world that constantly tries to drag you away from who you are.
Diva spoke about the excitement surrounding the album’s release, especially after such a long gap since BLOODHUNTER’s previous record. The response to the singles has already been strong, and there is a real sense that the band are stepping into a new chapter with this one.
One of the songs she is especially excited for fans to hear is “Masters Of Deceive,” a track she described as one of the most emotional, honest and tough songs on the album. It carries melody and atmosphere, but also rage, speed, blast beats and that feeling of constantly racing forward. It sounds like one of those songs that really captures where BLOODHUNTER are at right now: emotional, aggressive and completely fired up.
What really stood out to me during the conversation was how open Diva was about the band no longer feeling the need to fit into one specific box. BLOODHUNTER have always walked that line between melody and extremity. For some fans, they might be too melodic for straight extreme metal. For others, they might be too heavy for more traditional heavy metal tastes. But with Sons Of The Abandoned, the band leaned into that identity rather than fighting it.
This time, the songs were allowed to become whatever they needed to be. There are furious melodic death metal moments, heavier groove based passages, punk energy, progressive touches, atmosphere, and songs that push into places the band had not fully explored before. Diva explained that the writing process shifted as well, with some lyrics coming before the instrumental ideas and other songs growing from riffs that demanded a vocal direction. That change helped create an album that feels more instinctive, natural and honest.
The album also continues some important BLOODHUNTER traditions. Instrumental pieces have always been part of the band’s world, and Diva explained how that links back to guitarist Dani Arcos and the earliest spirit of the project. BLOODHUNTER began as a space for Dani to write his own compositions freely, before the band had fully become what it is today. Keeping those instrumental moments on the albums is a way of honouring that origin and remembering why the music started in the first place.
Collaborations are another big part of BLOODHUNTER’s identity, and Sons Of The Abandoned brings in two killer guest appearances. Fernando Ribeiro of Moonspell appears on “Threshold Of Hell,” while Laura Guldemond of Burning Witches features on “The Path That Never Ends.” For Diva, working with other artists opens new worlds inside the songs. Rather than staying locked inside their own creative box, those collaborations allow BLOODHUNTER to explore different textures, moods and perspectives.
We also spoke about what it means to represent Spanish metal on the international stage. As a band from Galicia, BLOODHUNTER have had to work hard to push beyond their own borders and into the wider European and global metal scene. Diva was honest about how bands from Spain, Portugal, Greece and other Mediterranean regions can feel abandoned by the industry. Costs are high, opportunities are harder to secure, and labels or booking agents do not always give those scenes the same level of trust or attention.
That feeling feeds directly into the emotional core of Sons Of The Abandoned. The title carries the weight of bands, artists and people who feel left behind, but still keep pushing. BLOODHUNTER have spent more than a decade building their name, touring, releasing music and representing Spanish extreme metal with pride. This album feels like a statement from a band refusing to compromise who they are.
That refusal to compromise comes through strongly in “The Outspoken.” Diva spoke about the importance of staying true to yourself, especially as an extreme metal vocalist. She has often been asked why she does not sing clean vocals, something she points out is rarely asked of male death metal vocalists in the same way. Her answer is simple: this is who she is, and this is the kind of vocalist she wants to be.
In a world where artists are now expected to be musicians, designers, marketers, video creators, managers and social media machines all at once, Diva remains focused on doing things her own way. BLOODHUNTER are not interested in becoming a copy of what everyone else is doing. They are building their own world, with their own sound, their own scars and their own sense of purpose.
Musically, Sons Of The Abandoned carries the classic BLOODHUNTER attack, but the contrast between brutality and beauty hits harder this time. Diva spoke about finding the confidence to step away from hiding behind metaphors and write more directly from personal experience. In extreme metal, there can be a fear of sounding too vulnerable or too exposed, but this record finds strength in that honesty.
That balance between rage and melody is what gives the album its emotional punch. It is not heavy just for the sake of being heavy. The aggression has meaning behind it. The melody gives the darkness somewhere to breathe. The atmosphere allows the personal themes to cut deeper.
The recording process also pushed the band into a more direct mindset. After securing their deal with DMG, ROAR and Reigning Phoenix Music, BLOODHUNTER had a tight timeframe to finish the album, complete the artwork, film video clips and pull everything together. Instead of overthinking every section and endlessly revisiting songs, they trusted the material and let it stay raw, natural and relentless.
One of the strongest moments in our chat came when Diva spoke about “The Devil’s Own.” The song was inspired by her experience touring Latin America with Nervosa, where she felt the brutal reality behind the romantic idea of life on the road. Fans and young musicians can often picture touring as this beautiful dream of playing shows and having fun, but the truth can be far tougher. Long travel days, flights, exhaustion, pressure and the constant demand to perform can take a heavy toll.
But that is also where the beauty comes in. For Diva, the song captures both sides of touring: the exhaustion and sacrifice, but also the powerful connection that happens between artist, audience and the global metal community. That connection is what makes the hard parts worth it.
That honesty is one of the strongest parts of Sons Of The Abandoned. BLOODHUNTER are not presenting the heavy music life as something glamorous and easy. They are showing the work, the sacrifice, the pressure, the doubts and the drive it takes to keep going.
Touring remains a major part of the band’s hopes for this album cycle. Diva mentioned that BLOODHUNTER are pushing toward more international opportunities, including the United States, and that Australia and New Zealand would be a dream for the band. I would absolutely love to see these songs brought down this way because Sons Of The Abandoned feels built to hit hard live.
At its core, Sons Of The Abandoned stands as a fierce, honest and powerful chapter for BLOODHUNTER. It is an album built from melody and aggression, but also from experience, frustration, survival and identity. It shows a band no longer concerned with fitting neatly into anyone else’s expectations.
BLOODHUNTER have made the album they needed to make, and Diva Satanica delivers it with fire, conviction and complete authenticity.
Sons Of The Abandoned is out June 12. Crank it loud, let the neighbours hear it, and make sure you check out the full Crannk video interview with Diva Satanica for the deeper dive into the album, the band’s journey, and the heavy road ahead.
BLOODHUNTER Is:
Diva Satanica – Vocals
Dani Arcos – Guitar
Guillermo Starless – Guitar
Fabian Tejeda – Bass
Adrian Perales – Drums
Official links
- Official website: BLOODHUNTER Official Website.
- Main website root: bloodhunter.net.
- Instagram: @bloodhunterband.
- Facebook: BLOODHUNTEROfficial.
- X/Twitter: @BLOODHUNTERBand.
- YouTube: BLOODHUNTER channel.
- Spotify artist page: Bloodhunter on Spotify.
