Samael Album: “Eternal”

I think Samael took that "change the style of our music every album" too seriously. They've changed way too much to this from "Passage", and it's not quite for the better. There are lots of clean vocals on it, and there is a more techno pop beat to it, but that's not the bad part. The production however makes the guitars less noticeable, and less heavy, and ti was guitars were what made that band heavy. Songs like "Together" and "Us" are love songs......not quite what I was looking for when reading the lyrics in a new Samael cd. Though, when I listen to the cd, it sounds great, especially when I believe that it is not Samael. It's not their best stuff, and I am one of the few who does not completey like the new change....it could be better. However, when they played their new songs live, it rocked, that's because the guitars were loud, the vocals were heavy and all that, if it were recorded like that, I would rate this album much higher. I don't dislike this album, don't get me wrong, in fact, the more I hear it, the more I'm starting to like it, it just needs more time. But, I will never truly believe that "Us" or "Together" came from the same guys who do "Baphomet's Throne" or "Jupiterian Vibe". It's hard to believe that this is the same band who once wrote the classic "Blood Ritual". Oh well, I still love this band......and the cd is worth the purchase if you are a diehard Samael fan.

Samael are amazing, especially on this album, what an epic trip. When you play this cd you are no longer on Earth, you have entered the realm of Samael's dark imaginations. If you want heavy music that sounds like it is going somewhere and that can allow you to relax and explore it further, then look no further, only turn to ETERNAL. I must say that CEREMONY OF OPPOSITES was always my favourite, but this has grown on me much more. Amazing vocal use on the song 'Together'. But Ceremony is still my favourite in a different perspective. It is very hard to choose from 2 totally different and very unique albums. And their album Passage is very similar to Dimmu Borgir, only more interesting drum patterns than Dimmu, though Dimmu use simpler drum patterns to retain a sound of ancint battle feelings. It is all relevent, and unique in its own way. Dimmu Borgir are very talented just like Samael, but I am more drawn towards Samael for a reason which I am not even sure of. I think it's because they released 'Ceremony Of Opposites'.

This cd gives me goosebumps when I listen to it, that is how amazing it is. You have to hear it to beleive it. Great use of synth. Just buy it, you won't regret it. This album should appeal to fans of Industrial bands such as Nine Inch Nails, Ministry, Front Line Assembly, Noise Unit, and to Black/Death Metal fans who like new Hypocrisy, Dimmu Borgir, Amorphis, Sigh and should also appeal to fans of new Mortiis and to anyone with an open mind.

The song 'Being' and the intro/outro to 'Radiant Star' sound very much like something Japanese Black Metal band SIGH would have done on their album Imaginary Sonicscape (a highly recommended CD from an excellent Japanese Black Metal band with the guts to do what no other Black Metal band has ever even though about, except Samael, and that is to introduce a jazzy type of tune into a heavy and dark genre like Black Metal. Absolutely mind blowing stuff). It is not constantly jazzy, just touches of jazz are present, and the same goes with SIGH. Once you hear that SIGH cd you won't know what planet those guys came from, but anyway read my SIGH review to learn more.

There is also a certain sound and atmosphere on this Samael cd that I also found present on the soundtrack to CHAOS LEGION the PS2 game. And no other Black Metal band has ever explored this dimension of sound.

Samael has how should I put it, progressed to a new level which current Black Metal bands were afraid to climb because they were scared of falling. And I must also add that the trademark guitar work present on Ceremony Of Opposites is present time to time. What a grand album this has turnerd out to be. It must be heard, and most importantly it must be heard from an unbiased perspective. Otherwise you will fall into the pit of "Big deal, electronics + Black Metal". But you see, this band has not only combined electronic sounds into their music, they have also accomplished a masterpiece at the same time.

I UNDERSTAND MUSICAL GROWTH AND HOPE MORE PEOPLE CAN GIVE THIS NEW HYBRID FORM OF BLACK METAL A CHANCE. EVEN IF YOU DON'T GIVE IT A CHANCE, IT WILL NOT CHANGE THE FACT THAT SAMAEL HAVE MATURED MUSICALLY AND WILL CONTINUE TO GROW.

THE GATES OF HELL HAVE BEEN OPENED FOR INDUSTRIAL FANS,

AND OPENED EVEN FURTHER FOR BLACK METAL FANS. BUT JUST BECAUSE THE GATES ARE OPENED WIDER, IT DOESN'T MEAN EXISTING FANS ARE RESTRICTED TO LEAVE.

SAMAEL FOREVER.........

Was my review helpful in any way at all, if so please click yes below. I found Matt Stoessel's review helpful, because I have never heard of 'And Oceans'. I'll probably look into buying one of their albums now.

.. simply because most of them are too stubborn to accept the fact that bands progress in the direction that *they* feel is best. I have Ceremony of Opposites; it is indeed an awesome opus by our metal friends, Samael. I have Passage (including the Xytras version); it was a step from Ceremony..., but yet it still received high reviews and marks by the metal community. Exodus, despite being an EP, also was given good marks, but I cannot comment on this CD since I don't own it. And then we come to Eternal, Samael's latest opus. I am not a music writer/critic, but I do know what I like and dislike to hear, and Eternal is something I definitely enjoy listening to. The cold, mechanical feel that Passage delivered with its drum machine is present once again, something a live drummer could never perform. A lot of people complain about the distortion effect present in the songs, and several think that the live performances of these songs will be better, as the distortion cannot be recreated onstage; I say props to Samael for being daring and not conforming to the status quo of making repetitive, vapid music. There are elements in this album that -- if they were taken out -- would make it sound a great deal akin to Passage, except lyric-wise. The addition of love songs (namely "Together," a song I like a lot, and "Us," a song that is good, but not so much as "Together") and techno-pop beats (a number of the songs hit this category) to their repetoire doesn't mean that Samael has fallen into the trap of today's metal bands that have dropped from the graces of their fans. It simply means that instead of relying on one topic for their inspiration, they are expanding to include more than redundant, oft-outplayed subjects (namely religion). Thus, I give this album five stars. Samael has not changed for the good or the bad; they have evolved into something that allows them to express their thoughts -- at that moment in time -- in the venue that they find best.

Hauntingly beautiful, it draws you in to a place where your soul finds life and a burning desire for what it can give. Samel is a powerful dark band that dilvers a style that needs to be recongized and praised. Eternal is one of their best albums.

Evolution is a word that stands for this new album. The production is a high prime work and reflects the maturity and supremacy in this musical segment, that places the band in the apex . Since Ceremony Of Opposites, the progression is clear and obvious, it flows in works like Passage and Eternal. Tracks as The Cross, Natilius & zeppelin and Supra Karma make Samael a pleasurable band !