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The new EP "Lake Of Death" by the belgian formation Hunter Omega left a mark behind in my ears. Intensive metal in the style of traditional US bands came out of the speakers but the four tracks present on the release are very different songs. Some are pure thrash metal, others more melodic midtempo metal and there's also a slow song among the four tunes.
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| The new line up of the band Hunter Omega. Photo credit: Tom van Collie |
So who is this band that put's so much intensity but also variability into only one release? Maybe this interview will help us to find out. Guitar player Joost and vocalist David from Hunter Omega were so kind to answer some questions.
Heavy Metal Underdogs: You've changed the bandname from Hunter to Hunter Omega. Why have you done that?
Joost :
With two out of the five members replaced, and the inevitable evolution in sound that brings, we felt it was right to let the name evolve as well.
Why Hunter Omega? The Omega makes reference to the endtimes. It better illustrates the apocalyptic concept of the band.
The new EP "Lake of Death" shows a mix of songs with a lot of variations in them. I think they are all heavy but also very different compared to each other. Did you have a special style of songs on your mind in the time of writing these tracks?
Joost :
I wrote most of the music this time. I definitely wanted to steer the band into a heavier direction. The songs were written when the old lineup was still together, but Bram en Manu's presence definitely helped make them what they are now. F.A.F.O. is the exception. That's based around a song idea from Jeroen. When I heard it, I thought "this would make a great Motörhead song" and I wrote the guitar parts with that in mind.
David:
I’m happy you say “there’s a lot of variation”. Imagine you would have to say, “I listened to your EP, and the songs were all very similar”. To me that would be a bad thing.
Does the story of the Hunter continue on the new EP?
Joost :
While we don't really write concept albums, the central theme of man as a hunter, preying on others, and the apocalyptic visions definitely continue. We definitely want to retain what made Hunter what it was and build on that.
David:
This time, the lyrics came to me based on three melodies I was hearing and the sounds that fit them most. The subconscious probably takes over, there’s some personal struggles hidden in the songs. The Hunter can always be found everywhere, but I think the lyrics are a bit more cryptic this time. Except for FAFO, which is basically as simple as “I get in trouble but I get my ass kicked every time”.
You've been releasing music independently for over ten years now. How do look back with all your experiences now?
Joost :
The advantage of releasing music independently is that you have total freedom. Nobody will interfere with the music or artwork. The disadvantage is that you don't have distribution or a publicity machine. If the right deal is offered, we would not hesitate to sign. If it doesn't, we're perfectly fine to continue on our path.
Do you have plans for liveshows with the new songs?
Joost :
We have a couple of album presentation shows booked and we're actively seeking gigs for 2027 and beyond. Hunter Omega is first and foremost a live band.
You can contact the band through it's homepage.
At the bottom of the page you can find links to social media pages. The "Lake Of Death" EP is going to be released on 9th September 2026.
