Summer of Darkness

Last updated
Summer of Darkness
DemonHunterSummerofDarkness.png
Studio album by
ReleasedMay 4, 2004
RecordedNovember – December 2003
StudioCompound Studios, Seattle, Washington
Genre
Length54:47
Label Solid State
Producer Aaron Sprinkle
Demon Hunter chronology
Demon Hunter
(2002)
Summer of Darkness
(2004)
The Triptych
(2005)
Singles from Summer of Darkness
  1. "Not Ready to Die"
    Released: 2004 [1]
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [2]
Cross Rhythms Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [3]
Jesus Freak HideoutStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [4]
Melodic.net Star full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [5]
Punknews.orgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [6]

Summer of Darkness is the second studio album by American Christian metal band Demon Hunter, released through Solid State on May 4, 2004. In the first week, the album sold 4,247 copies. [7]

Contents

Vocalist Ryan Clark described Summer of Darkness in a 2003 interview as being heavier than Demon Hunter's self-titled debut album. The band's first album, released in October 2002, was recorded in drop C tuning while Summer of Darkness was dropped down to drop B tuning. He also cited that the group had more time to record than with their previous release. [8] Guest vocalists, who were friends of the band, appear on four songs on the album and include Mike Williams, Howard Jones, Brock Lindow, and Trevor McNevan. Summer of Darkness is Demon Hunter's only album with Kris McCaddon on lead guitar, as well as the band's first album with bass guitarist Jon Dunn and the last to have Jesse Sprinkle on drums.

The album's lead single, "Not Ready to Die", received a music video and significant airplay on MTV2's Headbangers Ball and Fuse TV. In June 2004, Demon Hunter began touring the United States in promotion of Summer of Darkness. This included all major cities and extended to the East Coast where they had not previously performed. The album was later included on Demon Hunter's Double Take1 (2007) and Death, a Destination2 (2011) compilations. [9] [10]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Demon Hunter

No.TitleLength
1."Not Ready to Die [a] "5:03
2."The Awakening"4:11
3."Beheaded" (featuring Mike Williams)3:14
4."My Heartstrings Come Undone [a] [b] "4:37
5."Our Faces Fall Apart" (featuring Howard Jones)4:51
6."Less Than Nothing"2:57
7."Summer of Darkness"3:10
8."Beauty Through the Eyes of a Predator" (featuring Brock Lindow)5:32
9."Annihilate the Corrupt"4:08
10."I Play Dead"5:20
11."Everything Was White"3:54
12."Coffin Builder" (featuring Trevor McNevan)4:01
13."The Latest and the Last"3:44
Total length:54:47
a Live recording appears on both 45 Days (2008) and Live in Nashville (2009)
b Re-recorded for Songs of Death and Resurrection (2021)

Charts

YearChartPosition
2004Top Christian Albums23
2004Top Heatseekers22

Personnel

Demon Hunter

Additional musicians

Production

Appearances

Notes

1.Double Take also includes the studio album The Triptych (2005).

2.Death, a Destination also includes the studio albums Demon Hunter (2002) and The Triptych (2005).

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References

  1. Portell, Paul (November 20, 2005). "Demon Hunter, "The Triptych" Review". Jesus Freak Hideout. Retrieved August 2, 2014.
  2. Allmusic review
  3. Stafford, James (December 2004). "Demon Hunter - Summer Of Darkness". Cross Rhythms (83).
  4. Jesus Freak Hideout review
  5. Roth, Kaj. "Melodic.net - Demon Hunter - Summer Of Darkness". Melodic.net . Retrieved 12 May 2012.
  6. Brian (22 June 2004). "Demon Hunter - Summer of Darkness". Punknews.org. Retrieved 12 May 2012.
  7. Blabbermouth (2004-05-12). "SoundScan Report: FLAW, SEVENDUST, DEMON HUNTER, DEATH ANGEL". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved 2022-10-05.
  8. Wayfaerer Demon Hunter Interview Harm.us (November 26, 2003).
  9. "Double Take". allmusic.com. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  10. "Death, a Destination". allmusic.com. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  11. "Resident Evil: Apocalypse [Original Soundtrack]". allmusic.com. Retrieved June 23, 2023.