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

Review by Denis on August 2, 2003.

If I'm basing my judgment on the cover art, an intergalactic dog warrior, this is not a very serious album, so once again, does humor belong in music? On the other hand, if you look at the songs title, they make you think you're dealing with a serious prog metal CD.

So what is it actually? Well this is more serious than my last album I reviewed (Method of Destruction's "The Rebel You Love to Hate") but not to the point to be considered a deep down prog metal opus either. To be more specific, I would rather call it a heavy metal album with a progressive song writing and some kind of a space opera concept.

The main musical direction are short compositions beating at mid-fast pace with some pretty intricate structure but bound to be good driving music as well. Complex and catchy too, definitely a kicker you know where... My feet just kept following the beat in happy harmony. "Traveller" is not too serious or extreme in any way, shape or form. Not as fast as a power album, thank God! Only on one song 'The Final Gambit' is included some double kick but far from me to make you believe that the drumming sucks because it doesn't! It's great and pounds loud enough for my taste and forms with the bass parts a hell of a good tight rhythm section brought upfront by good production work. The driver here is the awesome guitar work in whatever style or form it is used. Clean vocals reminiscent to uncle Ozzy with a lower pitch are being used for story telling, which by the way suits the music and style perfectly. Amongst the best compositions are: 'High Passage/Low Passage,' 'Asteroid Belts,' 'Vagr Theme/Confrontation(Genetic Prophecy)' and the much doom sounding 'Vagr Moon.'

Bottom Line: "Traveller" should keep you alive and kickin'.

Categorical Rating Breakdown:

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

Rating: 7.6 out of 10

Review by Denis on August 2, 2003.

If I'm basing my judgment on the cover art, an intergalactic dog warrior, this is not a very serious album, so once again, does humor belong in music? On the other hand, if you look at the songs title, they make you think you're dealing with a serious prog metal CD.

So what is it actually? Well this is more serious than my last album I reviewed (Method of Destruction's "The Rebel You Love to Hate") but not to the point to be considered a deep down prog metal opus either. To be more specific, I would rather call it a heavy metal album with a progressive song writing and some kind of a space opera concept.

The main musical direction are short compositions beating at mid-fast pace with some pretty intricate structure but bound to be good driving music as well. Complex and catchy too, definitely a kicker you know where... My feet just kept following the beat in happy harmony. "Traveller" is not too serious or extreme in any way, shape or form. Not as fast as a power album, thank God! Only on one song 'The Final Gambit' is included some double kick but far from me to make you believe that the drumming sucks because it doesn't! It's great and pounds loud enough for my taste and forms with the bass parts a hell of a good tight rhythm section brought upfront by good production work. The driver here is the awesome guitar work in whatever style or form it is used. Clean vocals reminiscent to uncle Ozzy with a lower pitch are being used for story telling, which by the way suits the music and style perfectly. Amongst the best compositions are: 'High Passage/Low Passage,' 'Asteroid Belts,' 'Vagr Theme/Confrontation(Genetic Prophecy)' and the much doom sounding 'Vagr Moon.'

Bottom Line: "Traveller" should keep you alive and kickin'.

Categorical Rating Breakdown:

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

Rating: 7.6 out of 10