Carrying The Flame: BLAKE MEAHL Takes Stewardship Of JILL JANUS’ Works

When Huntress burst out of Los Angeles within the early 2010s, they rapidly carved out a spot within the fashionable steel scene with their mix of conventional heavy steel theatrics and thrash-inspired assault. On the coronary heart of the band was Jill Janus, a powerhouse vocalist whose four-octave vary and commanding stage presence grew to become Huntress‘ defining pressure. Alongside her, lead guitarist Blake Meahl co-piloted the band’s inventive imaginative and prescient, writing riffs and preparations that matched Janus‘ ferocity.

However the band’s rise was tragically minimize quick. After three albums — Spell Eater in 2012, Starbound Beast in 2013, and Static in 2015 — Huntress entered turbulent instances. In October 2015, Janus publicly declared the band was completed in a now-deleted Fb submit, citing her ongoing struggles with psychological well being. Meahl countered, explaining the announcement got here throughout a tough interval for her and assuring followers Huntress would proceed.

Then, in August 2018, tragedy struck: Jill Janus died by suicide on the age of 43. Her passing devastated followers and friends alike. Huntress‘ work stopped, frozen in time, with unreleased materials left behind and questions in regards to the band’s legacy lingering.

Now, in 2025 — seven years after Janus‘ dying — Blake Meahl has introduced he has been given official stewardship of Jill‘s works by her household, a growth that might deliver long-awaited closure whereas reigniting Huntress‘ flame.

In his personal phrases: “7 years would really feel like a very devastating time since she left with out some excellent news, however I bought some! I am ecstatic to say Jill‘s household has formally granted me stewardship of her works. I can now truly transfer ahead with ending and releasing some songs which can be gonna rip your god rattling coronary heart out. 7 years and burning brighter than ever!

For followers, that is extra than simply an replace — it is the potential of listening to Janus‘ voice as soon as once more, preserved in unfinished demos and recordings that Meahl now has the blessing to finish.