The wait is over. After eight long years since the release of Hegemony in 2017, Swiss extreme metal eccentrics SAMAEL have emerged from the shadows with a vengeance. Their latest single, „Black Matter Manifesto,“ mixed by the acclaimed Sky van Hoff (Lindemann, Sleep Token), is nothing short of a sonic odyssey—a journey through every twisted facet that has made SAMAEL one of metal’s most uncompromising forces.
From explosive rhythmic assaults to crushing, atmospheric depths, „Black Matter Manifesto“ sets a new benchmark in dark extreme metal. This urgent riff-storm seamlessly weaves black metal ferocity with industrial precision, once again cementing SAMAEL’s legendary status as icons of the genre’s darkest territories.
A Legacy Forged in Darkness
Founded in 1987, SAMAEL have spent nearly four decades pushing the boundaries of extreme metal. Groundbreaking albums like Worship Him (1990) and Passage (1996) left an indelible mark on the genre, reshaping what was possible when black metal, industrial elements, and symphonic grandeur collided. Their unique sonic signature continues to defy categorization and transcend limitations.
Now, approaching the 40th anniversary of their formation, SAMAEL prove that their dark precision and apocalyptic majesty remain as vital and relevant as ever. „Black Matter Manifesto“ is raw, commanding, and unmistakably SAMAEL—a testament to a band that refuses to compromise or fade into obscurity.
Finding Redemption in Darkness
Frontman Vorph offers insight into the philosophical core of the new single: „Opposites in life have long been a recurring theme in the band’s lyrics—in ‚Black Matter Manifesto,‘ they finally find redemption. The search for harmony ends where darkness reigns.“
It’s a powerful statement that encapsulates not just this single track, but SAMAEL’s entire artistic journey. In a world increasingly defined by contradictions and chaos, the band suggests that perhaps true balance can only be found by embracing the void itself.
„Black Matter Manifesto“ isn’t just a comeback—it’s a declaration. SAMAEL have returned, and the darkness has never sounded so magnificent.
Watch the video here:
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