Samael
Lesson In Magic #1

(Before reading, watch the review on Samael: Era One)

This is the second part of the 'Era One' project, a fully instrumental CD conceived, developed, and entirely realized by Xytraguptor, who, in my opinion, is the true mastermind of the band. At first glance, this strange yet unique work may seem boring, given the absence of vocals, but perhaps it is precisely for this reason that the CD should be considered unique.

Moreover, if the first CD of the album had some negative aspects, such as the lack of a precise musical direction, too many varied and intricate sounds (while still remaining a very good work), this second match is paradoxically far more intriguing and brilliant. If you listen to it with great attention, managing to grasp all the most productive points, then there are no doubts anymore. A vast array of noises, strange effects, and mental visions parade from the start to the end of the journey, all under a clear Electro/Dark Ambient brand. "Connexion" is slow, reflective, and set on a certain ascending climax: starting from the mere electronic pulse, we arrive at a remarkable articulation of compelling sounds, and before we know it, we are already at the second track "Reading Mind": fleeting effects and very strange chimes (did I spell it right???) characterize this short track, and then we leap to one of the best on the CD, "Red Unction", with a very oriental tone (typical of Samael in recent years...) that makes it beautiful. "Flying High" has a title suited to its reach, while "Overcome" takes on more or less the same tones as "Red Unction", remaining stunning and heavily atmospheric.

"Inside Stairs" is the second most complex of all, after the last track, crafted on an exceptional sonic spiral lattice. With "One With Everything" the strong musical orientation present in every minute note of the album continues to be defined without interruption, and the desire to listen to the CD does not diminish at all, thus proceeding with "Silent Words", a name that truly reflects globally all the musical creativity presented to us throughout the CD. We then reach the conclusion, the wish of "Wealth And Fortune", a pure outburst of electronic aggressiveness.

...The rating I gave might be exaggerated, as there are certainly people who hated this work "attached" to the actual album, perhaps because they consider it unoriginal or even boring. But these forty minutes that Xy has dedicated to us are a true hymn to his enigmatic imagination, to be savored with extreme attention and reflection, just like the other reviewed CD.