When Huntress burst out of Los Angeles in the early 2010s, they quickly carved out a place in the modern metal scene with their blend of traditional heavy metal theatrics and thrash-inspired attack. At the heart of the band was Jill Janus, a powerhouse vocalist whose four-octave range and commanding stage presence became Huntress‘ defining force. Alongside her, lead guitarist Blake Meahl co-piloted the band’s creative vision, writing riffs and arrangements that matched Janus‘ ferocity.
But the band’s rise was tragically cut short. After three albums — Spell Eater in 2012, Starbound Beast in 2013, and Static in 2015 — Huntress entered turbulent times. In October 2015, Janus publicly declared the band was finished in a now-deleted Facebook post, citing her ongoing struggles with mental health. Meahl countered, explaining the announcement came during a difficult period for her and assuring fans Huntress would continue.
Then, in August 2018, tragedy struck: Jill Janus died by suicide at the age of 43. Her passing devastated fans and peers alike. Huntress‘ work stopped, frozen in time, with unreleased material left behind and questions about the band’s legacy lingering.
Now, in 2025 — seven years after Janus‘ death — Blake Meahl has announced he has been given official stewardship of Jill‘s works by her family, a development that could bring long-awaited closure while reigniting Huntress‘ flame.
In his own words: “7 years would feel like a particularly devastating time since she left without some good news, but I got some! I’m ecstatic to say Jill‘s family has officially granted me stewardship of her works. I can now actually move forward with finishing and releasing some songs that are gonna rip your god damn heart out. 7 years and burning brighter than ever!
For fans, this is more than just an update — it’s the possibility of hearing Janus‘ voice once again, preserved in unfinished demos and recordings that Meahl now has the blessing to complete.
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