Christian metal embraced 21st-century trends thanks in large part to the innovative Demon Hunter. Striking a nimble balance between melodic nu-metal ballads and flailing metalcore breakdowns, the band are capable of unleashing both dramatic reflections on spiritual resilience (“I Am a Stone”) and galloping riff anthems that brutally expose their human frailties (“Half as Dead”). With the group hailing from Seattle, the influence of grunge can be heard in Ryan Clark's deep, brooding wails, but as 2010's “Collapsing” shows, the fierce vocalist is also capable of ripping intensely aggressive barks inspired by extreme metal.