Honestly, when SAMAEL released the ridiculous noise-neurosis 'Above', I was really startled. Because they claimed that this uproar was a return to the roots of the band. Praise SAMAEL, with the next release 'Lux Mundi', things have come into play. Because if there was to be a turn to ‘Ceremony of Opposites’, that was the smart and cool way - with a bow to the old sound of the Swiss, but through the prism of the amazing space metal from ‘Passage’ ahead.

 

Well, now the band returns after 6 years (the longest gap in their career) with its tenth album and a new bass player. After Mas left to run his business with his stage lighting company, SAMAEL welcomed Drop in their line up. And they continue their march for world domination and hegemony (listen to the lyrics of the title and opening song).

 

If you are not familiar with the music of SAMAEL, it's good to know that they started in 1988 as a fierce death/ black band (no keyboard slobbering) before stunning the conservative metal audience in 1996 with programmed drums, synthesizer and ... industrial metal. Up until this day. And if you are already a fan of the band - you will not be surprised nor disappointed by 'Hegemony'.

 

The album is filled with typical SAMAEL thunders. Songs with marching rhythm, Vorph's angry, growling narrative, and a tight, solid blasting in the background. A worthy successor to ‘Lux Mundi’, ‘Hegemony’, continues in the same direction - backed electronics, richer sound and much more metal than in 'Eternal' and 'Reign of Light'. SAMAEL have definitely decided to remain metal and that's great!

 

Without listing all the songs, let me just emphasize some tracks out of ‘Hegemony’. 'Red Planet' is the ultimate SAMAEL anthem - a slow, but bold, snarling piece that rhythmically kicks you in the head and makes you wanna growl "Red planet, red sky" with Vorph. And right after that, you're thrown into the energetic 'Black Supremacy' with speed, malice and tight tempo in a typical Samael recipe. And for the final we have a dark and heavy cover of 'Helter Skelter' by THE BEATLES.

'Hegemony' is another strong album in SAMAEL's discography. Heavier than their recordings between 1996 and 2007, but carrying the unique sound that made them pioneers in metal - electronic chill combined with chopping riffs and tempo that crushes the bones not with speed but with solidity. Heavier, but still exploring the depths of the cosmic sound, SAMAEL seem to already know how a black hole looks inside.