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Haven > Age of Darkness > Reviews
Haven - Age of Darkness

Good USPM Unjustly Covered by Darkness - 82%

Zod, December 21st, 2018
Written based on this version: 2005, CD, Retroactive Records (Remastered, Limited edition)

I would characterize “Age of Darkness” as heavy USPM slightly reminiscent of Queensryche that briefly touches on the intensity of thrash and progressive metal, but also features several more tepid hard rock numbers that are mostly ineffectual.

The opening track, “Divination”, is excellent and the strongest track on the album. It’s heavy USPM and a bit progressive but not overtly. Other heavy songs like “Witching Hour” and “Séance” are also very enjoyable and playlist-worthy. The heavy USPM-styled songs on this album take an anti-occult lyrical stance which is a relatively unique angle to explore in metal lyrics and a descendant of (ironically enough, for a Christian band) Mercyful Fate’s “A Dangerous Meeting”. “Blood of the Lamb” is the only other heavy USPM song here, but it seems like a pale imitation of the previous heavy songs on here.

Haven’s dabbling in hard rock is disappointing to the USPM connoisseurs like myself, but I will freely admit that “Spend my Life with you” is a catchy and effective song for what it is. The second song “When You Said Goodbye” is lousy and throws the listener for a loop after such a strong opening track. This one really should’ve been left off altogether, and I imagine many folks who love USPM would lose interest here. In general, “Age of Darkness” could’ve really benefitted from a better track listing that put the stronger tracks first and dropped some of the filler or at least put the filler last. “Unchanging love” feels like a Sacred Warrior song, in that “heavy metal praise song” style that they do.

None of the musicians individually blow me away but everyone here is good at what they do.
The vocals are melodic and performed well but are occasionally flat. The vocal style here most closely reminds me of Bill Carter (Screamer) but nowhere near as high-pitched or dynamic. The excellent shimmering classically-inspired clean guitar work on the instrumentals “Tenacious Volition” and “Exaltation” are some of my favorite moments on this album. The guitar solos are competently done and there’s some noteworthy drumming with some fast fills on the heavier songs.

I subtracted a few points over a few issues. First of all, let me be clear that I don't believe any album is perfect. I believe there is always room for improvement for musicians to strive for. My rating reflects that belief. I really think the mix of USPM/prog/thrash doesn’t work well together on the same album as hard rock songs and I really don’t see both musical styles appealing to the same listener. Pick a lane, guys. Perhaps this is why Haven didn’t make it further. The good songs here are so strong however that I find myself coming back to it and admiring its craftsmanship. I consider this album to be a gem of underground metal and an easy recommendation for those seeking out quality USPM to consume.

"Age of Darkness" has been remastered and is available from online retailers like Boone’s Overstock.