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.
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. 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 Take<sup>1</sup> (2007) and Death, a Destination<sup>2</sup> (2011) compilations.
Demon Hunter
Additional musicians
Production
<sup>1.</sup>Double Take also includes the studio album The Triptych (2005).
<sup>2.</sup>Death, a Destination also includes the studio albums Demon Hunter (2002) and The Triptych (2005).