Check out the new concept album from Rusty Shipp!
Check out the new concept album from Rusty Shipp!

JFH Music Review



Demon Hunter
Storm The Gates Of Hell



Artist Info: Discography
Album length: 12 tracks: 51 minutes, 27 seconds
Street Date: November 6, 2007


Throughout the past five years, Demon Hunter has elevated to icon status in the hardcore/metal scene. Any time you hear about heavy metal music nowadays, you're likely to hear the name of this band. Their fourth record, aptly titled Storm the Gates of Hell, picks up where their hit record The Triptych left off. This album may be one of the hardest DH records so far, and yet the most melodic at times, as well. Not one to disappoint their legions of fans, the band is releasing three versions of the same album, which include a regular edition (which will be reviewed here), a fan edition, and an ultimate collector's deluxe edition.

The album as a whole has a feel of taking on adversity as a Christian, not standing for compromising the faith and letting sin creep in. It doesn't make it fully as a concept record, but to a point, that concept can be seen and heard, especially in the content of the lyrics. Even with the title track, which doubles as the intro to the record, we see and hear the ferocity of Demon Hunter, and the meaning is evident. "Wake the lifeless, die to fight this, stand beside me, Storm the gates of Hell…" is just one line in a c all to arms for Christians who are tired of others who are living a lie. Other highlights include the pulsing hardcore of "A Thread of Light," which has such a driving drum beat and guitar sound that it feels like bullets in your ears, "Sixteen," a song written about Christians who don't live the way they should, and the closing two songs, "Fiction Kingdom" and "The Wrath Of God." These two songs end the record well, leaving only a short quietness between the tracks, creating a dark yet beautiful craftsmanship of metal/hardcore intensity. The album is not without its slow moments, as evidenced on "Carry Me Down," and the emotional "Thorns," which includes the cringing line, "Sister, don't you sleep through your own eulogy, don't sever what you are for what you couldn't be."

Overall, Demon Hunter has done it again. With intriguing and even haunting lyrics, emotionally driven moments sewn all the way through almost an hour of mayhem, and the intensity that the band has become so well-known for, Storm the Gates of Hell can almost be called the best album the band has released yet. While a few of the softer moments seem thrown in just for good measure, they add a distinct quality to Demon Hunter, setting them apart from other heavy metal acts. This is one record that metal fans should not pass up, while non-metal fans should take at least a listen, and see if they won't get pulled in to the band's infectious sound.

- PReview date: 10/27/07, Review date: 11/3/07; written by Justin Mabee




(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

 


. Record Label: Solid State Records
. Album length: 12 tracks: 51 minutes, 27 seconds
. Street Date: November 6, 2007
. Buy It: Amazon.com
. Buy It: Amazon.com (Special Edition CD/DVD)
. Buy It: Amazon.com (Fan Edition CD/DVD)

  1. Storm The Gates Of Hell
  2. Lead Us Home
  3. Sixteen
  4. Fading Away
  5. Carry Me Down
  6. A Thread Of Light
  7. I Am You
  8. Incision
  9. Thorns
  10. Follow The Wolves
  11. Fiction Kingdom
  12. The Wrath of God
spacer Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics
Click For Audio Sample   Click For Song Lyrics

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 

 

                 
Check out JFH's Lloyd in his first-ever childrens book!

Search JFH



This Friday, June 27, 2025
ALBUMS
7eventh Time Down We Praise You [BEC]
Matt Crocker interlude [Anotherland]
Jimmy Fortune The Seventh Seal [Gaither]
Roxanne Grace Road Trip - EP [DREAM]
Kutless The Seventh Seal - EP [BEC]
Evvie McKinney It Ain't Over - EP (independent)
Rusty Shipp Capsized Empire (independent)
SEU Worship A Forgiving God [Provident]
The Shimmering Carnelians The Doorway (Version 2.0) (independent)

SINGLES
Blanca Right On Time - Single [Curb]
Landry Cantrell & Elenee sunshine & rainbows - Single [DREAM]
Tasha Layton Singing In the Dark - Single [BEC]
Lecrae Tell No Lie (feat. Jackie Hill Perry) - Single [Reach]
Patrick Mayberry Thank The Lord - Single [Provident]
Alexander Pappas A Great Awakening / Un Nuevo Despertar - Single [Integrity]
The Rocky Valentines Nat Song - Single [Velvet Blue]
Emilie Weiss Take Care (Studio Sessions) - Single [BEC]

DVD
Jimmy Fortune Songs Of An American Dreamer DVD [Gaither]

Next Friday, July 4, 2025
ALBUMS
Chad Cory America [DREAM]
Tenielle Neda The Way Of Love [Wings]

SINGLES
Christian Back Now - Single [DREAM]



For all release dates, click here!
 

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images