Demon Hunter - Summer of Darkness (2004)Release ID: 5477
Demon Hunter had been hitting the big time throughout their career. After releasing their debut album, they gained huge success from one of their singles, headline their own tour, and was established as a turning point in Christian metalcore. So after all that fame the band just got, what's next? How about another album to increase the stellar power they had in their debut??
The band got all their hype and praise from their debut, but soon it would be overthrown by their next one, Summer of Darkness. Is this album louder and more passionate than their debut? Let's find out!
The album explodes right in with "Not Ready to Die". Ryan Clark does his screaming/growling in the verses before moving to the melodic chanting chorus. The song has dark lyrics about what life is like before the end and the music has almost every the band has in one song. "If only 33 years can save my life, I have 23 more to make things right..." Was Ryan 10 years old when he wrote those anti-optimistic lyrics?! "The Awakening" continues using growling verses and melodic choruses. "Beheaded" shows the more aggressive side of metalcore with guest melodeath shrieking by Michael Williams of The Agony Scene. Then we reach the peaceful ballad "My Heartstrings Come Undone" which fits perfectly well in contrast with the earlier havoc. However, the lyrical subject is more cryptic.
"Our Faces Fall Apart" continues the vocal aggression with second guest vocalist Howard Jones of Killswitch Engage. However, the chorus has a little more carelessness than depression. Still it would be interesting to see that song have its own music video, but even that wouldn't help level up its interest. "Less Than Nothing" is one of my favorite songs in this album. It begins with electronic-like riffing before ascending into heaviness. Ryan's growls are a little muffled, but he does a great job singing the chorus. That song would be much better if it was longer. The title track starts with a deep haunting voice whispering the opening lyrics before unleashing a powerful guitar riff. I got nothing else to say about that song except for its good chorus. "Beauty Through The Eyes Of A Predator" starts with a brief sound sample until Ryan Clark breaks the quietness with his screaming. MIND-BLOW!! This song's guest vocalist is Brock Lindow from 36 Crazyfists. Another better song!
"Annihilate The Corrupt" begins with a strong riff and scathing drums. Once again, even though Ryan's growls sound a bit muffled, he makes up for that with the cleanly sung, this time sounding a little higher than usual. "I Play Dead" is yet another one of the best songs of the album, almost THE best! It starts with soft riffs and slow beats as Ryan does his most beautiful clean singing with the best lyrics of the album. Then he jumps into growls of angst as if he's screaming in pain. The peaceful chorus is true lyrical work ("I won't, I won't leave without a trace, I won't be erased"). A nice personal deep touch! This is probably one of the best metalcore songs I've ever heard in my opinion. "Everything is White" returns to being as heavy as b*lls, though not as much of a standout as the previous track. Still it has a good drums and impressive riffs, but Ryan Clark does not quite have full vocal potential. "Coffin Builder" is, similar to "Beheaded", a death-ish metalcore track, only more in tuned with the environment of lyrics and vocals with guest vocals by Trevor McNevan of Thousand Foot Krutch. The last track, "The Latest and the Last" closes the album in a good note, having one more well-done chorus.
If you're not into the first Demon Hunter album, this one would be a better starter for you. Summer of Darkness would sound great when you're listening to it at home in your room with the lights out, curtains closed, all in an otherwise bright summer day....
Favorites: "Not Ready to Die", "My Heartstrings Come Undone", "Less Than Nothing", "Beauty Through The Eyes Of A Predator", "I Play Dead"
