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 Anna on March 11, 2010.

This is the debut album of Sarsekim from South Australia, a band that rose from the ashes of the now defunct Dark Intent. Despite the brutal vocals and general Death Metal feeling that has you thinking you're in for an hour of straight Death Metal, a degree of sophistication starts to unfold, unraveling a variety of other elements that you can't quite put your finger on.

As I cheat and look on the promo for answers, it lists "Death to Thrash, Black, Grind, and Progressing Metal". I say that sounds about right. All of these elements are like mouth-watering frozen fruits in a blender of apple juice (Death Metal), eager to become one in the form of a smoothie. Yet the blender was not quite successful in processing all the chunks to create a consistent solution. That is the bottom line of this critique- I feel they have not found a "solution" (pun originally not intended but it works... don't hit me) to blend all of these elements seamlessly.

One part of an album may sound like a completely different band than another part. Some other things I noted were that the riffs, though not shabby, seem a bit too readily-comprehensible. For the level of sophistication that they are showing, I feel this is an area that could be further 'matured' or developed. All the songs are full of tension, suspense, and aggression from start to finish, so much so that it is rather working against them, creating a 'gray' canvas of activity that lacks contrast. I also have to complain about the snare tuning which I don't really care for. All I hear is this annoying "thump thump thump" during blasts and it really draws all my attention there. I also feel the drums could be more creative for fill-ins.

This album is full of evidence of musical goodness lurking underneath, and as the band is far from careless with their presentation, I foresee that a promising future is possible with necessary improvements.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 7
Atmosphere: 6
Production: 9
Originality: 8
Overall: 6.9

Rating: 7.3 out of 10