Jill Janus: Lead singer for Huntress dead at 43

Jill Janus, the 43-year-old lead singer for heavy metal band Huntress died on August 14 outside of Portland, Oregon.  The band’s publicist shared the sad news, saying that Janus has long struggled with mental illness and that she died by her own hand, according to Fox News.  Janus has been a part of Huntress since 2009 when the band first formed and sang lead for the group on their last three albums.

The band’s sound was classic thrash-inflected metal, with Janus, one of the few female vocalists in the genre, screaming through songs like “Spell Eater” and “Sorrow.”

Janus had been an advocate for mental health, and encouraged fans who were suffering to seek help. The family statement urges those considering harming themselves to call the national suicide-prevention hotline.  ~ Fox News

On August 16, Huntress shared the following release on their Facebook page:

It is with crushed hearts that we announce that Jill Janus—frontwoman for the California heavy metal band Huntress—passed away on Tuesday, August 14. A long-time sufferer of mental illness, she took her own life outside of Portland, Oregon. Janus spoke publicly about these challenges in hopes of guiding others to address and overcome their mental illness.

Janus was a truly special creative involved with numerous musical projects including her role as vocalist for female metal/hard rock cover bands TheStarbreakers and Chelsea Girls. In addition, Janus was co-composer and creator of an upcoming rock opera with Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s Angus Clark and had a decade-long career as NYC DJ Penelope Tuesdae. Her musical career began in childhood.

Beyond her accomplishments in the music world and her advocacy for mental health issues, she was a beautiful person passionate about her family, animal rescue and the world of natural medicine. She will be missed more than she could have ever known.

If you or someone you know might be at risk of suicide, Call 1-800-273-8255 to reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. It provides free and confidential support 24 hours a day, seven days a week for people in suicidal crisis or distress.

Cover Photo: HUNTRESS 2016. Jill Janus (vocals), Blake Meahl (guitar), Tyler Meahl (drums), Eli Santana (guitar), Eric Harris (bass). Photo by Sawa /  Image Credit: Huntress / Facebook

~ Posted by: Richard Webster, Ace News Today   /   Connect with Richard on Facebook and Twitter