Demon Hunter's self-titled debut album came out under seemingly questionable circumstances. With faces hidden in promo photos, band members masking their identities with corny aliases, and little to no info released regarding their past, many were skeptical. Despite this, the success the album was met with was far less secretive. Essentially, the band managed to pull a surprisingly energetic play out of the flagging nu-metal guidebook and caught many by surprise as a result. With their sophomore follow-up, "Summer Of Darkness", it would appear that playtime is over as the group have stepped up with a sound that is not only more refined, but also more their own.

While not outrightly stated, the main nucleus of Demon Hunter seems to be Don and Ryan Clark of Training For Utopia fame, and their maturity and talent from their time spent in that outfit thoroughly punctuate this release. Moving further away from the nu-metal stylings of their debut, "Summer Of Darkness" finds Demon Hunter leaning towards a more traditional metal/metalcore sound which they have adapted to flawlessly. Adept at conveying a distinctive in your face viciousness, the bands aggressive material and intricately plotted song structures gel together with remarkable grace and conviction. While this translates well to the generally sharper material at hand, the ever risky business of including numerous guests appearances practiced here does tend to threaten the delicate balance which the group so diligently strive to create.

Members of The Agony Scene, Killswitch Engage, 36 Crazyfists and Thousand Foot Krutch all lend a hand on this effort and the results tend to be somewhat varied. While this outing would instinctively be the prime opportunity for Demon Hunter to establish their own identity, the incorporation of so many guest spots almost works against such a goal. Furthermore, the material, while sounding accomplished and broad (the band even touch upon slowly paced dramatic balladry with emphasis on sampling and keys) can almost feel too slick at times. One has to appreciate the range and progressive aspects of the band, but still, even with such dexterity on hand this outing can be a bit underwhelming. It's not that the band don't try hard enough or unable to create enjoyable music, as they do both quite adroitly. It's just that much of the material featured here feels a bit too pre-planned and buttoned down, almost like a kill without the hunt.