"The American black metal conquest continues with the latest offering from Noctuary.  Noctuary is [sic] controlled and all the tasteful rhythms/solos cascade into a powerful listen. Dissonent chords also lie  at the center of Noctuary's solid style, and even though this disc ocasionally nails us to the wall with blazing speed as on the title track, "Forever Shrouded Within This World", and the great, "The once Forgotten Past",a mid paced plod cruises along as foundation to reveal a strong appreciation for melodic harmonies. Blistering cries of agony and unrelenting audio punishment...these are the traits that fill this bands black sails with the searing winds of hell.  Raw yet memorable...Noctuary rises to stand amongst the elite class of warriors in the ever growing US black metal scene.  Succumb to the mayhem or die in pain!!"
- Marty/Worm Gear #8

"While the advertised description of Noctuary sounds interesting, it's nothing as awesome as the music itself! While the band is playing trendless black/death metal, they do a fair amount of slowing down and letting the music breathe and letting the imagination flow.  All of which makes for a worthy listening experiance.  The packaging too is top notch with full lyrics, photos, and credits. Pick this up and discover that the US has many bands but only a hand full as deserving as Noctuary!"
- Jeff/Midwest Metal #20

"9/12" - Pavel/Thrash'em All (Poland)

"Lost Disciple's premiere black metal band hits its mark with Noctuary's approach to US black metal.  It's no wonder why Noctuary are so well respected as the opener "Funeral Ceremony" displayes an excellent approach towards melodic and cold black metal. The songwriting is above par as most other US black metal bands I've heard try to emulate that Norwegian sound a little too mch with mediocre results.  With songs that can be differentiated, acidic screams and a decent production, Noctuary is worthy to be considered among the top American black metal elite."
- Steve Wasylyk / Unrestrained! #7 (Canada)

"The beauty of US back metal is that tere's no singular, cohesive sound or style.  the best AMerican bands are making original black hybrids, taking the primeval violence in many different directions at once...so when Noctuary's debut album For Salvation came in the mail it was "Great! Another stick on the fire..." Noctuary's particular brand of sonic darkness combines the blast drums and fast chord strumming of standard black with melodic elements of '80's heavy metal. But where most every band scavanged Iron Maiden riffs or tried to copy the counterpoint style in Maiden's guitar/bass arrangements. Noctuary is working a slightly different heavy metal angle.  Instead of trying to complexify the harmonies, Noctuary keeps it simple and puts emphasis on the slow, emotional tunes which relate more to early Megadeth and Metallica ballads. Between straightforward back blast parts, Van Fossen fills the out the basic structures of the songs with hanging, forlorn leads and decorative riff patterns...  Van Fosen's vocals are semi-sung screaming; they have a harsh, ripped - throat quality but follow the tune of the music.  Like his guitar, Van Fossen's vocals have a grim , depresive aspect to them. There's an obvious anti-christian bent to Noctuary's lyrics, about how its "Kingdom is a wasted lie," but Van Fosen keeps his phrases pretty abstract." 
- Spider/Metal Maniacs June 99 (excerpts from her article in the Brash Report section)"

"NOCTUARY is a American melodic/chaotic Black Metal band from California and consisting of 3 members. I want to start this reveiw by saying that the US BM "scene" has been seeing a rise in the past 3-4 years now where bands are emerging from everywhere it seems. Some honestly suck, but many are very grim, brutal, and display that pure Black Metal essence. I think that right now the US also has the most blasphemous bands around and most US bands maintain as individuals, no two really sounding the same.......And with this is where NOCTUARY come in! NOCTUARY is a band that has created maybe the best flawless Black Metal style because they use influences that range from 80's style Metal (Iron Maiden etc...), Both older and modern Black Metal, and even some touches of Death Metal to create what I consider a fucking excellent album....."For Salvation..." DO NOT attempt to play this cd on some piece of shit K-Mart stereo or $55 diskman! Find the best lazer cd player and at least 350 watt receiver with equalizer, 15 inch speakers and turn the volume up to Kill Christ level and enjoy the pure brutality and excellent musicianship to the fullest!!!! This cd contains 11 tracks, all of which are killer and every track seems to out do the previous! Killer vocals and well laid song structures adorn this whole album. In my opinion the best tracks are "Sorrow In Winter Darkness", The Once Forgotten Past", Lost In Illusions", Black Bleeding Soul", "Cast Into The Brooding Shadow", and the last track "Journey To The Lost Kingdom", which after it is done a short pause takes effect and then comes a completely trancing outro with acoustic guitar and chants. And when the cd's all done your left thirsting for a second listen! ......Bottom Line: ......NOCTUARY is a must have for your cd collection, HAIL NOCTUARY!!!!! And HAIL LOST DISCIPLE for signing such a great band!!!!"
- Kevin (Realms of Darkness)

"4/5"  -Renegade Rock

"With one listen, one might pass this band off as another black metal band with screeching vocals much in the vein of Mayhem or Dark Funeral.  That would be quite an injustice to Noctuary, for this band is so much more. These guys have a keen sense of melody and rhythm.  What this cd does not contain is te blatant misplacement of harmonic progressions that many black metal bands seem to do.  What this cd does contain ae riffs played very fast, but that all points to a supreme tonal goal.  Basically, unlike many of the less skilledblack metal bands, Noctuary do not place notes randomly together without making any sense. This release serves two important functions, the first of these being to show the unbelievers that black metal bands have talent and the second to show the untalented how to play!!"

"Originality in black metal today - a possibility? California's Noctuary have replied with this slab, as "yes". Slowed tempoes, minor keys, unusual riffs... all pepper the release with originality which overall is emotive, melodic, and although very angry - beautiful. Each song is built upon a strong, timeless melody it seems. I've not encountered this much raw melody since Boston's first release (Noctuary sounds nothing like 'em, just comparing the sheer amount of melody!) .. Don't let this fool you one bit: the music's still full of hyperblasting angry black-metal styled drums, screechy raspy vocals, and the usual compliment of Satan-isms. An excellent clear production, and a very nice layout serve to enhance the work further. I'm not much of a black metal fan at all, but Noctuary won me over this time. Yet another very cool, key release from Rich and Lost Disciple Records. A great example of well-done, original black metal any self-respecting, scene supporting fan should have."
- Necrosis 'zine"

"Well it is surely a pleasure listening to this÷ NOCTUARY is a Black Metal duet coming from the States, and although they don't bring too many new things, they are really cool, and they have all my support. I like the grim feeling this album provides, you could think that it is an European act(no offense). The screaming vocals are indeed awesome, and the whole image is indeed powerful. Obviously they are influenced by s few Scandinavian acts, by what the hell, IÌm tired of names. One thing is for sure! ItÌs a really surprise to find out that NOCTUARY comes from the States, where the entire scene is Death Metal only. ÏFor Salvation÷Ó is a 41-min ass-kicking recording, with a great sound and very good songs. Most of the eleven tracks present here are very melodic, and sometimes there are also some great slow passages. The lyrics are splendid, and they truly reflect their thoughts. I love the highlight speed passages, they remind me of our great Scandinavian jewels÷nothing more to add about this great act. "For Salvation" is a masterpiece, so feel proud of it! Keep it going, and you'll be on the top! -9,25-"

"Awesome band!!!! I have to confess that I didn't know about NOCTUARY , this way , I didn't know what to expect when the CD got in my hands. But when the CD started to play.....god damn it!!! It's fuckin excelent!!! It's Black Metal music ,  that has a heavy influence on the 80's Black Metal style mixed with some 80's Death Metal influences. No keyboards , no female vocals , only extreme music (it's fast as fuck , but it's not Marduk). Killer guitar riffs/work , heavy as fuck bass and drums with guttural vocals , unholy lyrics and a infectious clutch. All the 11 tracks on the album are extremely interesting , really good , and shows us that's possible to create some new without losing it's own style. I have a feeling that NOCTUARY is born to be big (at least in the underground scene) , so let's support such an aweosme band!!! 8/10"
- Rock Brigade Magazine