Underground Black Metal Legends return.
Unlike their Scandinavian counterparts, Samael have remained a relatively underground act, last seen in the UK supporting doomsters Cathedral. Their newest record sees them working with mixer Stefan Glaumann (Rammstein, Clawfinger) and co-producer Waldemar Sorychta.
Like other black metal records it follows a certain blueprint, with operatic keyboards, snarling vocals and powerful guitars. It is obvious that the band is taking the old with the new using the riffs of Celtic Frost and Mercyful Fate and fusing them with industrial blast beats. Songs like “Moongate” and “High Above” are examples of the band’s ever evolving sounds embracing Eastern rhythms.
Is it a black metal classic? Unfortunately not. The musicianship is ironclad but the monotone vocals of Vorph are almost laughable. Reign Of Light is certainly a progressive record but it seems the case of it being substance over style.
If you are trying to get into black metal this is not the best place to start. This is for die-hard metal heads that like the continental flavour of black metal. From the genre it is coming from it seems to meander into a completely direction.