‘BEAST MODE’
Huntress leader says that’s how she rolls
It might have been difficult for Huntress’ frontwoman Jill Janus to find the silver lining this year.
But a cancer scare and mental health issues seemed to empower the opera trained singer. She is now ready to bring in 2016 with some exciting announcements, which she plans to keep under her hat until January.
Earlier this year, Janus openly revealed her bouts with mental illness and disclosed her uterine cancer diagnosis. She is now cancer-free and took time to step away from the “madness” to also get mentally healthy.
“I’m in beast mode,” she said. “I’m more stable than I have ever been in my life...I’m living for my purpose and I’m stronger than I have ever been.”
Janus is looking forward to a “new era” in 2016.
“I’m definitely fulfilling my lifelong dreams and I can’t quit,” she said.
Despite Janus’ personal struggles, Huntress recorded and later released “Static” in September.
“It was a tumultuous year and also quite a victorious year,” Janus exclaimed. “We recorded ‘Static’ in January and February. We were going between touring with Amon Amarth and Arch Enemy earlier this year so finding the time to create a great album, and I feel it’s our best, that was very exciting. And now moving forward now from the (stuff) I’ve seen and the things I’ve gone through, I’m really looking forward to going into 2016 and touring for “Static.’ I think our fans can really relate to this record the most.”
Janus continues to train her voice and adheres to a strict discipline to achieve her notable four-octave range.
“I like to keep it very authentic on stage and, you know, on the record,” she said. “Whatever you hear on the record, I can sing live. It makes it more fun for me, as well.”
Same is true for Huntress as a whole. There are no smoke and mirrors with this band.
“We have a very authentic set when we play live. There’s lots of energy,” Janus explained. “It’s very honest. We don’t use voice modulators, backing tracks, extra noise, so what you see is true musicianship up there and a lot of energy.”