There Was a Light Here is the twelfth studio album by American Christian metal band Demon Hunter, released through their self-founded record label, Weapons MFG. It was released on September 12, 2025, and is also their first album since Summer of Darkness to not have an accompanying deluxe edition with release.
Background On May 2, 2025, Demon Hunter released the single "I'm Done", and on June 6, 2025, they released the single "Light Bends". Another single, "Sorrow Light the Way", was released on July 4, 2025.
Four days later, the band announced their new album to be titled There Was a Light Here and the release date on September 12, 2025. Two more singles were released ahead of There Was a Light Here; "The Pain in Me Is Gone" and the title track, which was written in memory of Ryan Clark's mother who died in 2023, with the album dedicated to her.
Touring In support of the album, the band embarked on a North American tour in September and October 2025 with support by War of Ages, Convictions, and Cultist, starting on September 20, 2025 in West Chicago, IL.
Reception
Critical Speaking for Jesus Freak Hideout, Evan Dickens labelled There Was a Light Here as "[Demon Hunter's] best work in nearly a decade," as well being "an immediate contender for best album of the year." He went on to praise the album's "expansive sonic playground." Dickens also stated that the album's ending had significant "emotional resonance," as opposed to most of Demon Hunter's albums. He completed the review in saying that the album was "a thoughtful masterpiece," awarding the album with a four-out-of-five star rating.
In agreement with the rating, Scott Fryberger spoke on the album in a second review for Jesus Freak Hideout. He observed that the album contained a combination of "furious metalcore," "rock ballads," and "really strong rock tracks," succeeding in "balanc[ing] the harder and softer sides really well." He noted that it was "emotionally heavy" and overall, stated that the album was "easily one of the strongest, most mature, and most well-rounded albums the band has ever released." Jesus Freak Hideout labelled the album as the second best album of 2025, following Plead the Widow's Cause' Silver Glass Stare.
Commercial Within its first charting week, There Was a Light Here debuted at its peak position of number 9 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart and number 25 on the Top Album Sales chart.
Accolades + Year-end lists Publication Accolade Rank Jesus Freak Hideout Top Albums of 2025 2 Year Organization Nominee / work Category Result 2025 We Love Awards "Sorrow Light the Way" Rock / Alternative Song of the Year 2026 Dove Awards There Was a Light Here Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year
Track listing
Personnel Demon Hunter Ryan Clark – lead vocals Patrick Judge – lead guitar, keyboards, programming Jeremiah Scott – rhythm guitar, backing vocals Jon Dunn – bass Timothy "Yogi" Watts – drums, backing vocals
Additional Musicians Mikey Ferrera – additional percussion on track 12 Ryan Maxine Clark – choir vocals on track 12 Penny Scott – choir vocals on track 12 Izzy Scott – choir vocals on track 12 Annabelle Scott – choir vocals on track 12 Becky Scott – choir vocals on track 12
Production Ryan Clark – production, art direction, design Jeremiah Scott – production, engineering, additional photography Zeuss – mixing, mastering Eric Stenman – mixing on track 12 Josh Foreman – artwork sculpture design Ryan J. Downey – management
Charts + Chart performance for There Was a Light Here Chart (2025) Peakposition US Top Album Sales (Billboard) 25 US Top Christian Albums (Billboard) 9
References