Customer Reviews

Summer of Darkness

5 star:		(88)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

Demon Hunter is better than ever in their sophmore album. Hard core thrash metal is artfully combined with creative melodics to form a fresh sound. Unlike some heavy metal where every song sounds the same, each song sounds fantastically different. A lot of hard work, talent and creativity went into this album and it shows. If you are looking for some fresh heavy metal than this album is definitly for you. Also, the lyrics are clean if that is concern for you. I would recommend this cd to anyone who enjoys rock.

I heard of this band back in 2002 but wrote them off because of their name (it just screams black metal). To my surprise I found one of their tracks," Infected", on the Headbanger's Ball Vol. 1 album and fell in love with them. So for months to come I searched endlessly to find their first album. Then a wile later I heard another track, "heart Strings Come Undone", and gave up the search and just ordered them off the net. I could have not been more surprised at the turnout of each album. Man was I wrong! The lead singer has a most unique voice to the point where you either like it or not. Much to the same effect as Atreyu. The band sends a very uplifting message through each of their songs. But then to learn that this band is actually Christian Death Metal really sent me for a loop. I started analyzing each song to find the meaning and came to all my conclusions. So in closing I wouldn't waste anymore time reading reviews if I were you. Click on the order now button and let the experience begin! Rock on, rock on.

This album by Demon Hunter is simply amazing, I was completly blown away the first time I heard this album, and every time I listen to it again, I shocked and amazed on how awesome it is. This is the best Christian hardcore album since; "Immortal Until Their Work is Done" by Overcome. Musically the album is one of the best I have ever heard, and lyrically it's great too. Ryan Clark has really grown spiritually since his days in training for utopia, in recent interviews he admits, to hiding his faith (Chritianity) during his days in TFU, where now he admits to being bold in his Christian walk. This album is also very well produced by Aaron Sprikle, who's brother (Jesse) is the drummer of Demon Hunter. If you have ever been a hardcore fan or currently into hardcore you must buy this album.

First off, I am a DIE-HARD Atheist and I listen to this. That should go to show that there isn't really anything that you can tell is Christian. Ah, Why ramble? On to the Review!

Not Ready to Die 5/5 This song immediately caught my attention, there's a short, hypnotic riff in the beginning and opens up into a Death Metal Onslaught, screaming and singing at the same time makes this sound WONDERFUL.

The Awakening 3.9/5 It's a good song, but the lack of good verses kind of kills it. Also, the bridge goes on too long. REALLY top-notch chorus though!

Beheaded 5/5 This song features a guest vocalist. (I think Killswitch Engage, but I'm not exactly sure) There's a neat bass line in the chorus to go along with the high-pitched growl.

My Heartstrings Come Undone 5/5 This is the only song with NO SCREAMING. It is still a wonderful song though, the lyrics are very well done too.

Our Faces Fall Apart 4/5 This song has a very cool beginning, but the rest is just OK. The bridge doesn't seem like it was really needed.

Less Than Nothing 5/5 A short, sweet song with a very catchy chorus. It sounds like they say the f-word in the beginning, but they don't. The intro riff is pretty good too.

Summer of Darkness 6/5 This is one of the coolest songs on the album. I've always loved title tracks, and this is NO exception. The higher guitar notes sound like the ones in Slipknot's "I Am Hated" On the Iowa album. The opening scream goes for about 20 seconds. cool crap!

Beauty Through the Eyes of a Predator 10000000000000000000/5 This is the best song ever! The chorus is wonderful, and it's also the longest, this is a MUST LISTEN.

Annihilate the Corrupt 5/5 Another A+ Chorus here folks, a good bridge guitar line and REALLY good lyrics.

I Play Dead 5/5 Interesting, it starts very soft and blows up on your face the first 1/4 of the song. COOL!

Everything Was White 5/5 Fun song to headbang to. The 1/2 second of silence towards the end in the guitar line was wonderful.

Coffin Builder 5/5 INCREDIBLE lyrics here all of you Metal Freex. Good guitar and bass too.

My life,
fell out of my hands,
they took it away,
I'M TAKING IT BACK!

The Latest and the Last 4/5 Good closing song, ends with a real BANG!

Get it NOW! And get The Triptych on the 25th too. Go, the reviews over.......GO!

Speed, crunch and attitude... How much more metal could you be?? I'm a Christian and I'm really glad these guys share my faith, but I'm also a metal fan and I know a good band when I hear one. These guys are the real deal... this ain't no Stryper or Michael W. Smith, folks. No matter what religion you are (or aren't) you need to give this disc a spin if you're into Hard Rock / Heavy Metal.

Top Tracks: "I'm Not Ready To Die" and "My Heartstrings Come Undone" and "Coffin Builder"

This is a good cd, I bought it and wasn't disappointed. Sure their r better cds out there but Jesse is a VERY good drummer, and Ryan has a unique clean voice and a well balanced scream. And What the crap is up with this review below me?! Dude, u don't know what your talking about,honestly. I know metal, who exactly gave u the right to say "metal isn't suppose to be christian and have a postive message"? No one, and how is it an oxymoron?! Now if their was a christian black metal band, that would be an oxymoron, not rock, metal, death metal, metalcore, etc. Get your facts straight and get your head out of the ditch it fell in!

I loved Demon Hunters self titled cd. But after hearing this cd I don't pick the other one up anymore! And of my over 300 cd's I have played this cd twice as often as anything else I listen to and love. Cd's quickly grow old on me but not this one.

My Heartstrings Come Undone, I Play Dead, and Not Ready to Die should be play on all hardcore stations. There is a nationwide radio program that plays the best of all hard rock and metal. If you want this band to get some radio play, please request them at harddriveradio@unitedstations.com.

Demon Hunter keep up the AWESOME work and keep producing albums like this one.

Okay. So I heard Demon Hunter was in town doing a show. But I was short on cash that week, plus I had family commitments with my wife and kids. What to do?

A few days later I plunked down the "concert" money on "Summer of Darkness" and had the chance to listen to Demon Hunter for hours on end. I'd still love to see them live, but this CD is a fantastic consolation prize. Although my first time through it, I thought it had less variety and poorer production than "The Triptych," I started to change my mind on the third and fourth spins. Now, I'm torn. This album rocks harder than "The Triptych"--which is a good thing! Yet "The Triptych" has better lyrics. Overall, a toss-up between the two.

Whereas some groups know how to scream, and others know how to write good lyrics, Demon Hunter combines the two and creates its own accessible, yet unique sound for those like me who enjoy a daily ear-shredding. They better be planning a fourth!

My friend Kyson first came to me with the song "I Have Seen Where It Grows," which he found on Godcore.com. We started to really like that song and "Infected," and I wound up buying their first CD off here. The CD was good, wasn't great, I mean I liked it, but it got kind of old after awhile, with not too many songs on it and a lot more singing than I expected. Summer of Darkness has singing too, bu the singing on the first didn't really fit in with the particular flow of the songs. Heavy screaming verse and then semi-unmelodic singing comes in. If you were to show a song like Through the Black for example, or Turn Your Back And Run to an extreme metalhead, they would like the verse but not the chorus. The singing on Summer of Darkness is great though, and used correctly. A few months ago I heard "Heartstrings Come Undone" and loved it. Then Kyson downloaded "I Play Dead" and "Not Ready to Die." I instantly fell in love with their new style and new sound. They have more complexity as well as creativity. The vocals are absolutely incredible, not only can he scream, but he can sing very well too. Demon Hunter is now my hero because they aren't letting the stereotypes of Christian music contain them. I have been waiting for someone to do this for a long time. Even if you aren't Christian, you will still like these guys; they're rather morbid if you haven't noticed (Beheaded, Our Faces Fall Apart, Coffin Builder, My Throat Is An Open Grave (first CD), Screams of the Undead (first CD also), Annihilate the Corrupt, Beauty Through The Eyes of a Predator). You won't be able to notice unless you pick apart the lyrics. Heck, they got on Headbangers Ball. Buy this CD! You won't regret it!

While a few of my fellow reviewers for this particular release need to get hooked on phonics A.S.A.P, let me start by saying this album is top tier in melodic, harmonic, hard-core.
There's also some crazy sound effects on here (Track 8, is that a roll-up desk and a clip getting slapped in a pistol..?) The key is, THEY DON'T GET REPETTITIVE! Each song is very different. As for the slip-knot trip these other guys are on, HUH?!? Listen to the music, and stop fabricating non-existent rivalries. Real music fans don't take silly crap like this.