Samael Above
by Matthew Hoffman
Staff Writer
Switzerland’s dark black metal purveyors have returned with a new full length effort (the bands 9th) entitled Above which has ten tracks lasting forty minutes. Above was mixed by Fredrik Nordstöm at Sweden’s now classic Studio Fredman (Opeth, Dimmu Borgir, At the Gates). The music harkens the band backwards with a bullet, bringing forth full fledged black metal 101. It was released in early March 2009 worldwide and available in North America on Nuclear Blast.
There is a bit of the band’s famous industrial (almost techno) influences dispersed throughout but as a whole nine out of the ten tracks feature bludgeoning harsh black metal. That traditional black metal features the prerequisite double bass drumming, rocket fast monotonous riffing and little to no lead guitar work.
The band’s name Samael has numerous meanings but several scholars of Jewish lore believe he was the serpent that tempted Eve and eventually impregnated her with Cain. Others say he was the seventh Angel and was wicked serving as the Grim Reaper. The name is ultimately defined as meaning “Angel of Death,” so either way you slice it its bad news.
The record is a good one especially for fans of the purest of black metal origins but fails when it comes to true musicality or diverse musicianship. The lyrics are also dull and uninspiring.
There is not one song that sticks out and kicks ass as the album is rather monotonous with its black metal slanting.
To be fair though, the band does state that this is a tribute to their traditional black metal “roots” so they weren’t trying to use vast melodies, heroic guitar leads and tempo changes.
For what it is supposed to be it actually does succeed.
But in the world of such diverse bands as Opeth and Nachtmystium why would Samael chose to back themselves into a corner and appeal to only a tiny subgenre of fans?
This album is reluctantly recommended for purchase.
Label: Nuclear Blast
Band Members
Vorph -Vocals, Guitars
Xy -Keyboards, Drums, Programming
Makro -Guitars
Masmiseim –Bass
Track Listing
1. Under One Flag
2. Virtual War
3. Polygames
4. Earth Country
5. Illumination
6. Black Hole
7. In There
8. Dark Side
9. God’s Snake
10. On the Top of It All
HRH Rating: 6.9/10