Demon Hunter

Demon Hunter, the Seattle-based Christian metal band, emerged from the ashes of the Clark brothers previous musical endeavors. Formed in 2000 by Don and Ryan Clark, the band initially operated under a veil of secrecy, obscuring their identities in photos and interviews. Their sound, initially drawing influence from Coalesce and Neurosis, evolved from the experimental rock of their earlier band, Training for Utopia. Ryans background included a stint in the hardcore band Focal Point, which released Suffering of the Masses on Tooth & Nail Records in 1996.

Their breakthrough came with the inclusion of their song "Through the Black" on This Is Solid State Vol. 3 in 2002. This led to the release of their self-titled debut album later that year on Solid State Records (a Tooth & Nail subsidiary). The Clarks wrote and performed the majority of the instruments themselves, with Ryan handling vocals as he had in Training for Utopia. Drummer Jesse Sprinkle (Poor Old Lu) was brought in for recording. While initially a project band, Demon Hunter’s success propelled them to significant recognition within the Christian metal scene. By the 2010s, they had sold over 600,000 albums. Don Clark`s departure in 2009 left Ryan as the sole remaining original member.