Neighbouring country Belgium has always been known for their lively underground black metalscene. Rising label The LSP Company has recently signed the gothic black metal act Signs of Darkness and Beyond the Autumn Leaves is the band’s first full-length album after having already released 3 demo tapes. Their melodic and atmospheric black metal doesn’t deviate from the all too familiar characteristics of the genre. Mid-tempo melody orientated guitarriffs, the inevitable keyboard riddles and the vocal variation between the black metal screams of bassplayer Joris and the eerie voice of Sarah. Musical-wise, and this may sound a bit strange, Signs of Darkness reminds me of the early Gathering work but that might have something to do with the fact that I am not an expert on the genre.

Influences such as Emperor, Old Man’s Child and Children of Bodom, as stated in the bio are very hard, if not impossible, to discover and moreover these bands are way out of reach for the Belgians. However I do believe that the members of this band do have their heart in the right place and they have not just jumped the bandwagon of a relatively popular metal genre. The songstructures are solid and the slumbering rawness in their music is certainly an asset. If the band would emphasise their darker and rawer side, concentrated on writing compact songs and diminish the role of female vocalist Sarah (her voice unfortunately lacks expression) Signs of Darkness should be able to progress even more.