Reviewed by Ben Hurrell

If you are a fan of hard music and have never heard of Demon Hunter, you've probably been living under a rock for the last six years. Since their appearance on a record label compilation in 2002 the band have hit the big time, releasing four albums gaining widespread coverage in the mainstream media as well as Christian circles. Due to this review being written after the album's release, I can tell you that 'Storm The Gates Of Hell' sold more than 10,000 copies in the first week it went on sale in the US. That, if you were unsure, is impressive with a capitol "I". Demon Hunter seem to have perfected the art of mixing a variety of styles of hard music all the while sounding accessible to rock radio. The album is varied and holds the attention. Classical strings stand alongside discordant guitars on "Sixteen" giving the track a somewhat schizophrenic feel, while the title track is sheer unrelenting brutality. It's not all heavy though, with frontman Ryan Clark's vocals showcased on the mellower "Carry Me Down" and "Incision". With 'Storm The Gates Of Hell', Demon Hunter have surpassed the high standards set by their previous records. Top notch.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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