DeadNote Sessions: BLOODHUNTER—Confronting “The Devil’s Own”

There’s a moment in every band’s evolution where instinct overtakes precision—where control gives way to honesty. With “The Devil’s Own,” BLOODHUNTER step into that space fully. Darker, more exposed, and emotionally direct, the track signals a shift not just in sound, but in perspective.

Written in fragments across time and distance and shaped by the physical and emotional strain of touring, the album reflects a band willing to let vulnerability and aggression coexist without hierarchy.

In this DeadNote Sessions interview, Diva Satanica and Dani Arcos discuss rediscovery, exhaustion, melody, identity, and the uneasy clarity that comes from pushing beyond familiar ground.

DeadNoteMedia: “The Devil’s Own” feels darker, more personal, and more daring than past BLOODHUNTER material. At what point did you realize this song was leading you into new emotional or creative territory?

Diva: Our founder member and guitar player Dani Arcos came up with an old demo that he thought was worth giving it a second chance. In the beginning we all thought it sounded too power metal, but he was smart enough to look beyond, and we must admit he was right haha. Our previous album was kind of dense and very technical in some aspects, so we felt that it was natural to try something different.

DeadNoteMedia: You’ve spoken about writing the lyrics during an intense period on tour in South America. How did that environment—constant movement, exhaustion, and pressure—shape the emotional tone of the song?

Diva: I’m sure that any musician that has done a tour in Latin America knows what I’m talking about: it’s probably one of the most challenging experiences while being in a band (and also one of the most rewarding). You need to travel for many hours and always by plane because of the long distances; you don’t even have time to sleep properly from one country to the other… So you feel yourself trapped in a dangerous cycle that you repeat endlessly with no chance to escape.

It’s like living in a different universe. You lose sight and perspective, but every night when it’s showtime, all those feelings disappear, and you’re filled with adrenaline and pure joy. Being on tour is the ultimate reason to be a musician—it’s where we prove that our art is real. But most fans have a very romanticized vision of it that I think it’s very irresponsible of us to sustain.

DeadNoteMedia: You’ve described the track as “pure evil but with lots of beautiful melodies.” How intentional is that balance between brutality and beauty when you’re composing?

Dani A.: When we compose music, we don’t intend for it to be evil, but what we are certain of is that it has to contain melody. Music without melody, for me, is meaningless. The anger comes out on its own; you don’t have to dig too deep when you see the current state of the world.

DeadNoteMedia: Compared to your previous releases, what were the biggest risks you took with “The Devil’s Own,” either musically or conceptually?

Dani A.: We completely changed our songwriting process. Instead of taking our time, carefully considering every detail, we composed it as it came naturally. Completely raw.

Interestingly, I had the chorus of this song composed before we released The End of Faith (2017), but I had never sat down to finish it. The day we decided to sit down and make new songs, they flowed little by little on their own.

DeadNoteMedia: When a song comes from such a personal place, how do you translate that into a full-band arrangement without losing its raw core?

Diva: Most of the time, Dani comes to us with a demo that’s 90% finished and asks us to add our personal touch. This has been changing since our guitarist G. Starless and our drummer Adri joined the band. They prefer to make a simple, raw demo and then have each of us add different layers to the song. I think this has become the natural foundation that defines our own identity.

DeadNoteMedia: The video mirrors the inner conflict and darkness of the song. How involved were you in shaping the visual narrative?

Diva: Since our previous album, Knowledge Was the Price (2022), we work on the main concept behind the artwork and videoclips and then collaborate with artists we trust. In this case we found the perfect match with Gustavo Sazes for the artwork and Winnerhorse Productions for the videoclips.

We wanted to show the contrasts of being a musician, so we thought that wearing elegant suits would describe the whole picture. My main inspiration for the outfits was Meet Joe Black, starring Brad Pitt as the personification of Death.

DeadNoteMedia: BLOODHUNTER have always had a strong identity rooted in melody, groove, and aggression. How do you evolve without losing what makes the band unmistakable?

Dani A.: There’s always room for evolution. We’ve enriched the music with changes in key, different time signatures, and new approaches to guitar solos now that we have two guitarists. Our identity lies mainly in trying not to repeat ourselves while staying rooted in melodic and intense music.

DeadNoteMedia: Now that you’ve partnered with ROAR, has anything shifted creatively or structurally?

Diva: We are very happy with this partnership and with our new management at FM Music Management, which has some of our favourite artists on its roster. They are helping us reach the international market, but they’ve always trusted our vision. We feel very grateful.

Dani A.: We wouldn’t have been able to take this step without ROAR, RPM, and especially the endless advice of our managers.

DeadNoteMedia: If “The Devil’s Own” is the first glimpse of the upcoming album, what does it suggest about the emotional weight of the record?

Dani A.: “The Devil’s Own” is a very emotional song, both lyrically and musically. It feels like after three albums we’ve finally learned how to write songs. The addition of keyboards also gave the song a final push.

I would say the interlude and solo reflect that moment on tour when you’re not sure if you want it to end and go home or continue until you die.

DeadNoteMedia: Does the new material lean more inward and introspective, or outward and confrontational?

Diva: For me, it’s the first time that my lyrics are less metaphorical. Occultism and myths helped me hide behind words before, so I wasn’t speaking in first person. This time is different. I think these songs will connect more deeply with fans.

DeadNoteMedia: Extreme metal often channels anger and darkness. What keeps that expression healthy and constructive?

Diva: Being able to let go of your darkest thoughts and feelings is the most therapeutic thing in the world. It’s not about being the heaviest—it’s about expressing yourself freely. That’s how you connect with others and become part of the same community.

DeadNoteMedia: When fans hear this new era of BLOODHUNTER, what do you hope unsettles them—and what do you hope resonates?

Diva: I hope they embrace this new era with open arms. The essence is still the same, but with new elements that make it more direct and emotional.

DeadNoteMedia: Looking back at your journey from Galicia to the international stage, what feels most different today?

Diva: This was my first band. I always knew I wanted to be part of the music industry, but I didn’t know how. Looking back, I feel proud of everything we’ve built. We developed skills, became professionals, and faced many challenges that shaped our identity. Nothing comes easy.

DeadNoteMedia: If you had to describe the upcoming album—excluding the words “heavy,” “dark,” or “aggressive”—what would you say?

Dani A.: It represents another step in the band’s evolution. We’re already recognizable. Now it’s up to us to take it further.