Review by Adam on August 21, 2002.

Who would have seen this coming? I remember hearing some demos of these guys a year or two ago and being pretty unimpressed. I would not have guessed that in just a few short years that they would create such an amazing death metal record as this! The music manages to be both undeniably brutal and incredibly melodic at the same time. This is truly melodic death metal if I have ever heard it before.

“God Was Created” is a breathe of fresh air in an otherwise dusty and boring metal sub genre. Here the listener is given almost a whole hour of quality extreme metal. Each song is epic and very enjoyable to listen to. It is one of those albums where it is better to sit down and listen to it the whole way through. The lyrics are vivid and brutally violent. Much of the vocal delivery compliments such lyrical content. In this case there is a bit in common with bands like Cannibal Corpse, but that is where such comparisons end. The music is very technical and brutal at times yet extremely melodic as well. This gives the record a more dynamic feel and the song lengths give the album an epic feel.

The music is what really sets these guys apart from many of their brutal death metal counterparts. The guitarists are very skilled in what they do. They go from technical death to melodic leads seamlessly. The drummer’s playing is exceptional as well. The more guttural styled screaming may be an acquired for some taste; however, there is enough diversification between vocal styles that one will soon forget they even had a problem with them in the first place. This record is a must for fans of extreme metal. Even those who are not into the brutal death style will still be able to find something they like in “God Was Created”. It is one of those death metal releases that sidesteps sub genres and just offers good music. This record can appeal to any Dark Tranquillity fan as much as it can to any fan of Nile or Cannibal Corpse. I truly believe this to be without a doubt the best extreme metal release this year!

Bottom Line: Fans of extreme metal and brutal death need this! Fans of melodic death metal should buy this as well!

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Originality: 9
Musicianship: 10
Atmosphere: 8
Production: 9
Overall: 9

Rating: 9 out of 10

Review by Adam on August 21, 2002.

Who would have seen this coming? I remember hearing some demos of these guys a year or two ago and being pretty unimpressed. I would not have guessed that in just a few short years that they would create such an amazing death metal record as this! The music manages to be both undeniably brutal and incredibly melodic at the same time. This is truly melodic death metal if I have ever heard it before.

“God Was Created” is a breathe of fresh air in an otherwise dusty and boring metal sub genre. Here the listener is given almost a whole hour of quality extreme metal. Each song is epic and very enjoyable to listen to. It is one of those albums where it is better to sit down and listen to it the whole way through. The lyrics are vivid and brutally violent. Much of the vocal delivery compliments such lyrical content. In this case there is a bit in common with bands like Cannibal Corpse, but that is where such comparisons end. The music is very technical and brutal at times yet extremely melodic as well. This gives the record a more dynamic feel and the song lengths give the album an epic feel.

The music is what really sets these guys apart from many of their brutal death metal counterparts. The guitarists are very skilled in what they do. They go from technical death to melodic leads seamlessly. The drummer’s playing is exceptional as well. The more guttural styled screaming may be an acquired for some taste; however, there is enough diversification between vocal styles that one will soon forget they even had a problem with them in the first place. This record is a must for fans of extreme metal. Even those who are not into the brutal death style will still be able to find something they like in “God Was Created”. It is one of those death metal releases that sidesteps sub genres and just offers good music. This record can appeal to any Dark Tranquillity fan as much as it can to any fan of Nile or Cannibal Corpse. I truly believe this to be without a doubt the best extreme metal release this year!

Bottom Line: Fans of extreme metal and brutal death need this! Fans of melodic death metal should buy this as well!

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Originality: 9
Musicianship: 10
Atmosphere: 8
Production: 9
Overall: 9

Rating: 9 out of 10

Review by Jack on September 27, 2002.

Progressive metal/rock is a funny addition to the often boisterous and heavy world of metal. It bridges through a lot of material that normal exclusive metal heads wouldn’t normally listen to. DVS Records are the exclusive prog-metal label that are bringing a lot of bands into the metal fold and expanding new horizons for seasoned metal boys and girls. Heaven’s Cry and their 2nd album “Primal Power Addiction” are the latest cog in the DVS wheel, and as opposed to some other DVS Records bands (particularly Into Eternity and Ashes To Ashes) they bring a calm and ultimately more melancholic side to the prog-metal scene.

Heaven’s Cry are all about serenity. “Primal Power Addiction” isn’t out to shock or surprise, moreover it is a friendly mate that you can pick up from the record store and take home to meet your parents without any raised eyebrows or forthcoming lectures. Safe and steady, Heaven’s Cry are certainly not an earth-shattering or ear-exploding outfit, but unlike some of those aural-ecliptic outfits “Primal Power Addiction” is an instantly appealing album, but also has the tendency to stick by you through thick and thin.

If you are one to like the mellower prog rock and/or metal, I am positive you will be able to find a whole swag of entertaining moments on this CD to check out. And for Midnight Oil fans there is also a cool rendition of the classic ‘Beds are Burning’. “Primal Power Addiction” is not album of the year material, but you’ll kick yourself if you miss out on it.

Bottom Line: To put it very bluntly, “Primal Power Addiction” is not the sort of record that will completely overwhelm you and dominate your CD player, but if you were to lend the record out to a friend, you will find yourself sorely missing the little guy.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 7
Atmosphere: 8
Production: 8
Originality: 7
Overall: 7.5

Rating: 7.5 out of 10

Review by Jack on September 27, 2002.

Progressive metal/rock is a funny addition to the often boisterous and heavy world of metal. It bridges through a lot of material that normal exclusive metal heads wouldn’t normally listen to. DVS Records are the exclusive prog-metal label that are bringing a lot of bands into the metal fold and expanding new horizons for seasoned metal boys and girls. Heaven’s Cry and their 2nd album “Primal Power Addiction” are the latest cog in the DVS wheel, and as opposed to some other DVS Records bands (particularly Into Eternity and Ashes To Ashes) they bring a calm and ultimately more melancholic side to the prog-metal scene.

Heaven’s Cry are all about serenity. “Primal Power Addiction” isn’t out to shock or surprise, moreover it is a friendly mate that you can pick up from the record store and take home to meet your parents without any raised eyebrows or forthcoming lectures. Safe and steady, Heaven’s Cry are certainly not an earth-shattering or ear-exploding outfit, but unlike some of those aural-ecliptic outfits “Primal Power Addiction” is an instantly appealing album, but also has the tendency to stick by you through thick and thin.

If you are one to like the mellower prog rock and/or metal, I am positive you will be able to find a whole swag of entertaining moments on this CD to check out. And for Midnight Oil fans there is also a cool rendition of the classic ‘Beds are Burning’. “Primal Power Addiction” is not album of the year material, but you’ll kick yourself if you miss out on it.

Bottom Line: To put it very bluntly, “Primal Power Addiction” is not the sort of record that will completely overwhelm you and dominate your CD player, but if you were to lend the record out to a friend, you will find yourself sorely missing the little guy.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 7
Atmosphere: 8
Production: 8
Originality: 7
Overall: 7.5

Rating: 7.5 out of 10

Review by JD on April 16, 2016.

I said it a few times over the last few months, and I am going to say it again Belgium is becoming the new hotbed for black metal. With an artistry that is painted with brimstone and accented with unholy complex ideas it is the new devil’s music place.

Signs of Darkness are a brutal example of melodic black metal that encompasses old school metal melodies and stabbing vocals that are a pure demonic delight to make their own brand of satanic prayers. Knowing just how to bring the atmosphere of their music to the forefront, the band succeeds where others fall flat on their faces and dies a beaten and tortured poser’s death.

I happen to like the whole thing, holding up such tracks as 'Suffer the Cold' and 'Sin' as prime examples of how black metal should be done. Only drawback to the album is the odd time the mix becomes murky at the apex of an album, a little more detail of separation could have had this album even better than what it is – but at it stands now, still one fucking hell of an album.

I can’t stress enough how good Signs of Darkness The Age of Decay is, you need to hear the album for yourself and I guarantee that most metallers will like it. My only other comment is that my next vacation just might be to Belgium to see some of these bands live and in person.

Rating: 9.5 out of 10