Samael

The Profile

Samael are a Swiss band known for shifting from early ’90s black metal toward industrial and electronic-infused metal, with Passage often cited as a major turning point.

From the reviews: the band is Swiss; they are described as founded in 1990; their early era includes Worship Him, Blood Ritual, and Ceremony of Opposites; Passage (1996 per review) marks a turning point with drum machine and a colder, electronic sound; later albums (Eternal, Reign of Light, Solar Soul, Above, Lux Mundi) are discussed as further evolutions with mixed reception.

Across 13 DeBaser reviews, Samael are portrayed as a Swiss band defined by constant evolution: early slow, occult black metal (Worship Him, Blood Ritual, Ceremony of Opposites) followed by a major industrial/electronic pivot with Passage. Passage is repeatedly framed as a high point and a landmark in “contamination,” while Reign of Light is praised as vibrant and powerful. Later records split opinion: Solar Soul is seen as either irresistible and refined or flat and repetitive; Above is largely criticized as forced and poorly executed. Lux Mundi is received as solid craftsmanship with strong callbacks (especially to Passage) but less freshness.