Ok. Their self debut album was great. I regret giving it five stars on its review, but its still great. With this next one, Summer of Darkness, they grow softer, more melodic, but the energy is more potent. On Demon Hunter's last album, it was a whole lot of screams mixed with great riffs. Summer of Darkness is a bit more organized in the way the songs are written and executed. 'Not Ready To Die', some of their songs sound quite a bit like (tying into the organization). However every track has a memorable chorus with memorable lyrics and riffs.
Here we go...

Vocals:
Their has been a definite improvement in vocals. The original vocals that made up the majority of Demon Hunter is still there, but the softer vocals are used more often (mostly in the choruses) which makes SOD a more meldodic, and in my opinion, memorable, disc.
Hard, strong, angsty-like vocals is the meal of the album, with the softer being the side dish, if you will.
But if we already have the meal and the side dish, what makes up the appetizer/beverage?
Enter guest vocals. There has been a major improvement in the guest vocals department-they have them! The most recognizable of which is contained in the song 'Beheaded', which features Mike Williams from The Agony Scene. Williams delivers a more death metal performance to the song.
In any case, the vocals are just as good as ever, but improved/added to in some areas.

Melodies:
Many, many melodies. Track no.4, (My Heartstings Come Undone) has one of the softer melodies; but one of the best as well. The first track, 'Not Ready To Die', also has some skillful melodies, but of a harder nature.
Much of the album is made up by songs similar to 'Not Ready To Die' in melody and vocals. But like I said, it is not a bad thing because it is mostly organization, not repetition (in my eyes). If you listen to the album, I think you'll find (as I have) that the whole of Summer of Darkness is binded in structure but each song is quite diverse from the next.

Lyrics:
Search them. Read them. Digest them. SOD simply has amazing, creative, and thoughtful lyrics. 'My Heartstrings Come Undone' has some of the better of the album, along with a worship-like theme (though you will probably extract this in all the songs, it is especially recognizable in 'Heartstrings'.)

The lyrics deliver the darkness of secular albums, but the hope of religion. Mixed with vocals and melodies to further illuminate the mood, Summer of Darkness gives me something of a Linkin Park for a dark place to wallow, but also provides hope through the black. Very attractive to the mind, with a very clear message in many songs.

Recommended: Yes

Great Music to Play While: Going to Sleep