In 1987 the Swiss band Samael started out as a black metal band. During the period from birth until now the band has been trying to find its own identity. One of the most important steps in this was the switch to computer drums in stead of real drum playing, and the use of bombastic keyboard sounds. In 2007 their 10th album, Solar Soul, sees the light of day, and the band has the following line up: Vorph (vocals and guitar), Makro (guitar), Mas (bass guitar) and Xy (keyboards).

The black metal influences are still present, together with an important role for the keyboards; and also some influences of bands like Paradise Lost. Because of all this, Samael has released a dark, bombastic and mysterious album. When listening to it with headphones, the keyboards are quite overwhelming. Their bombastical, classical sound form the opposite of the heavy and dark metal riffs and the vocals; on the other hand these two different elements seem to complement each other very well.

These contrasts determine the typical Samael sound.

The title song has some Paradise Lost-like riffs and sound. ‘Promised Land’ and ‘Slavocracy’ are typical Samael songs: lots of different sounds due to the variation in use of the keyboards with the still dark metal background. ‘Valkyrie‘s new Ride’ is an up tempo song, and with ´Ave!´ the band even shows some doom metal influences.

The songs on Solar Soul are dominated by the vocals (dark metal but rather monotonous), which tend to distract you from the music, and make all songs sound pretty much alike. However, after listening to the album a couple of times you will hear that Solar Soul has more to offer than you might have thought at first.