After starting out as a straight ahead black metal band, Samael had gravitated more toward industrial type metal lately. Above finds them revisiting their roots, with fast tempos and a black metal vibe. You'll hear the blast beats and BM guitars, but Samael hasn't forgotten the melodies.
Catchy riffs and accessible melodies are entwined with the extremity and brutality of Above. "Virtual War" gallops along at lightning speed with pummeling drums, but breaks for a keyboard solo and has some really catchy moments.
"Dark Side" starts with thrashy guitar riffs before jumping into traditional black metal. A lot of songs on the CD are constructed that way, with groovy beginning and endings bookending faster and more brutal sections.
If you haven't liked the direction Samael has gone lately, but liked their early stuff, Above will be right up your alley. And if you miss the industrial stuff, the CD ends with a remix of "Black Hole," so at least you'll have one industrial track.
The style on this CD is retro, but with 20 plus years of songwriting and playing experience since those days, Samael's playing these days is far more precise and skilled.
(released April 7, 2009 on Nuclear Blast Records)
