I hope it s not same ABOVE...

This is undoubtedly a good record, probably better than "Above", it's mid-paced, martial, powerful, yeah... But my impression is that Samael have run out of original/fresh ideas after "Reign Of Light" (which was truly excellent), and since "Solar Soul" they've been rehashing the same formula again and again and again...

"Ceremony" and "Passage" were true masterpieces and "Eternal" was the ideal evolution towards a lighter (formally and conceptually speaking) and more electronica-based metal. "Reign Of Light" brought nothing new to the table but it was still a huge improvement on Samael's experimental ground: the band just wanted to explore further their new identity and they did it wonderfully.

Then they went downhill. "Solar Soul", while being not bad (there are still some great tunes), is only an inoffensive recycling of the previous works; it sounded great at first, but became stagnating after few listens. "Above" drastically focused on impact with a huge wall of sound, but again, it was nothing more than a digression. Still not bad, imho, but far from the band's true potential.

Now we have this "Lux Mundi", and once more there's nothing new under the sun (err, whatever). I really appreciate the partial return to their roots with a Passage-like mood and atmosphere, but hey, isn't this just a nostalgic recall? Plus, "Solar Soul"'s and "Reign Of Light"'s vibes are always there, giving the songs a very martial (and overall predictable) structure, which we've already heard from Samael so many many many times before. Come on guys, that's the third album in a row lacking new ideas. This shit is good, but that's not enough coming from a band like you.
I know you can do better, I know you can still DARE.

7,5/10 but I give it an 8 just because it's better than "Above".

Written by [user id=39762] on 29.04.2011 at 16:48

This is undoubtedly a good record, probably better than "Above", it's mid-paced, martial, powerful, yeah... But my impression is that Samael have run out of original/fresh ideas after "Reign Of Light" (which was truly excellent), and since "Solar Soul" they've been rehashing the same formula again and again and again...

"Ceremony" and "Passage" were true masterpieces and "Eternal" was the ideal evolution towards a lighter (formally and conceptually speaking) and more electronica-based metal. "Reign Of Light" brought nothing new to the table but it was still a huge improvement on Samael's experimental ground: the band just wanted to explore further their new identity and they did it wonderfully.

Then they went downhill. "Solar Soul", while being not bad (there are still some great tunes), is only an inoffensive recycling of the previous works; it sounded great at first, but became stagnating after few listens. "Above" drastically focused on impact with a huge wall of sound, but again, it was nothing more than a digression. Still not bad, imho, but far from the band's true potential.

Now we have this "Lux Mundi", and once more there's nothing new under the sun (err, whatever). I really appreciate the partial return to their roots with a Passage-like mood and atmosphere, but hey, isn't this just a nostalgic recall? Plus, "Solar Soul"'s and "Reign Of Light"'s vibes are always there, giving the songs a very martial (and overall predictable) structure, which we've already heard from Samael so many many many times before. Come on guys, that's the third album in a row lacking new ideas. This shit is good, but that's not enough coming from a band like you.
I know you can do better, I know you can still DARE.

7,5/10 but I give it an 8 just because it's better than "Above".

You know, you've got everything here for a nice little review. Why not giving it a go after the 3 month guest review restriction wears off?

Written by [user id=109200] on 02.05.2011 at 18:10

You know, you've got everything here for a nice little review. Why not giving it a go after the 3 month guest review restriction wears off?

That's not a bad idea, but my english is pretty lame.
By the way I've just written and published a review of LM on another website (in my first language of course); guess I should only translate it decently...

Written by [user id=39762] on 02.05.2011 at 18:28

Written by [user id=109200] on 02.05.2011 at 18:10

You know, you've got everything here for a nice little review. Why not giving it a go after the 3 month guest review restriction wears off?

That's not a bad idea, but my english is pretty lame.
By the way I've just written and published a review of LM on another website (in my first language of course); guess I should only translate it decently...

Your english is fine and, if I may, pretty badass. Your review will totally be worth checking out, since you've got so much emotion vested on it.

Written by [user id=109200] on 02.05.2011 at 18:32

Written by [user id=39762] on 02.05.2011 at 18:28

Written by [user id=109200] on 02.05.2011 at 18:10

You know, you've got everything here for a nice little review. Why not giving it a go after the 3 month guest review restriction wears off?

That's not a bad idea, but my english is pretty lame.
By the way I've just written and published a review of LM on another website (in my first language of course); guess I should only translate it decently...

Your english is fine and, if I may, pretty badass. Your review will totally be worth checking out, since you've got so much emotion vested on it.

Hey, thanks mate.
I'll wait for this restriction to wear off then; meanwhile I'll try to scribble down a few lines...

Do that, Kenos. Waiting for the review.

"Above" was a disappointment to me so I was a bit sceptical of this album but... It turned out to be quite good. True, they got nothing new to offer but most of the songs are satisfying. There is no use waiting for a new "Passage" so why not enjoy this one?

FINALLY PASSAGE HAS A FULL FOLLOW UP

Nice I can feel the 90s dark spirit of black metal..

They returned to industrial metal finally

Brilliant!

Just wonderful album...I enjoy every song!

Written by Destructhor on 10.05.2011 at 22:04

Nice I can feel the 90s dark spirit of black metal..

Where exactly, because definitely not on this album?

Another letdown by Samael. I'd better stick to their first four masterpieces.

Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 10.06.2011 at 14:14

Another letdown by Samael. I'd better stick to their first four masterpieces.

Blood Ritual was shit, so 3 masterpieces

Written by Daniell on 10.06.2011 at 15:07

Written by Marcel Hubregtse on 10.06.2011 at 14:14

Another letdown by Samael. I'd better stick to their first four masterpieces.

Blood Ritual was shit, so 3 masterpieces

1. worship him
2. Blood ritual
3. Ceremony Of The Opposites.
4. passage

and there is already quite a gap between 3and 4.
It seems that Blood Ritual is too dark for most people

It's not dark, there is no music that would be too dark for me. I simply think that songs there suck.

Passage was awesome. I prefer Above to anything since... so we'll see 'bout this one.

I haven't listened to these guys for like 10 or 12 years, maybe longer and seem to remember them being a black metal band. From what I've heard of this one it's really good, probably better than the old stuff.

Compared to "Above" , this is a Masterpiece ... its nice to see Samael back on track and doing good music, specially with more "aggressive" sound

I never understood the hate for Above, I thought it was a pretty decent album. Like 6.5/10 decent, not outstanding. But it seems it's kind of a fun album to kick while its down.

They have been at work since year 1988 and this is all they can? Clearly they are struggling.

I like their experimental Industrial side. And while they did everything perfectly up until Solar Soul this here just does not stand out. I know that they wanted to continue their Industrial style after Above again but I guess they lost something on the way to this. It's not memorable except for 2-3 tracks. I don't know what happened.

Finally encountered the meatier tracks... not bad at all.

Stunning!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!