Although much of their music from the mid-1990s onwards has incorporated electronic sounds which would best define their genre as industrial metal, Samael was originally founded as an early 2nd Wave black metal band.
Their first demos presented a slow, doomy style of thrash metal with raw vocals, similar to that of Celtic Frost. Some of the songs would be included on Worship Him (1991) and Blood Ritual (1992).
Around the time of Ceremony of Opposites (1994), the band started using industrial-styled song techniques, employed by the use of keyboards and (minimalist) acoustic percussion. By this time, they had also left French record label Osmose Productions and signed with Century Media Records.
1995 - The Rebellion ep was released to much acclaim
Their album Passage (1996) saw them gather a larger audience, with the music video for the song "Jupiterian Vibe" getting airplay on MTV's Headbanger's Ball.
1998 saw the release of the "Exodus ep"
After the release of Eternal (1999), Samael would not renew their contract with Century Media. In 2004, "Reign of Light" was released through independent label Galactical Records.
In 2006, their album "Era One" was released on Century Media Records. It includes a bonus disc, "Lesson in Magic #1," which is entirely instrumental and done solely by keyboardist Xy. The album itself was recorded in 2001, and the bonus disc a year later. Both were rearranged and remixed in 2005.
In June 2007 they released the album "Solar Soul, which summed up and combined many of the styles of their previous albums since Passage.
April 2009 sees a new album from Samael, titled "Above. The album is a return to heavier territory for the band and has been labelled "Symphonic" blackmetal by some reviews in popular magazines.
In June 2010, Samael began recording demos for the next album. The album's first single, titled Antigod was released on November 19, 2010.[3] The album, titled Lux Mundi (which translates as "Light of the World"), was released April 29, 2011 in Europe and May 3, 2011 in North America. The same month they shot a video clip for the song "Luxferre" in Sweden with director Patric Ulaeus.
On December 29, 2016, Samael announced new album will be released in 2017. The following of “Lux Mundi” (2011) has been recorded in Switzerland during spring 2016 and mix in Sweden during the summer. In January 2017, the band signed to Napalm Records to release the album.
Black Hole
Samael Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Quest of grail, loss of sanctuary
Through the wheel, all is infinity
Immortal, the flame that keeps us up
Infernal, the time we lost in vain
I've been waiting all my life for this to come
This brand new world is where I want to live
This brand new world is where I want to
Everything is up to something
Underneath your blackest emotions
Far above your brightest wishes
Stands a world for you to hold
Black hole, black hole
I've been waiting all my life for this to come
This brand new world is where I want to live
Through the wheel, all is infinity
Immortal, the flame that keeps us up
Infernal the time we lost in vain
Black hole, black hole
I've been waiting all my life for this to come
This brand new world is where I want to
I've been waiting all my life for this to come
This brand new world is where I want to
I've been waiting all my life for this to come
This brand new world is where I want to live
The lyrics of Samael's song "Black Hole" are open to interpretation and are often interpreted as an exploration of the human condition and the search for meaning in a seemingly infinite universe. The opening lines of the song, "Black hole, black hole, quest of grail, loss of sanctuary," suggest a sense of yearning and longing for something unattainable, whether it be the grail or a sense of security and stability. The line "Through the wheel, all is infinity" further emphasizes the idea of infinity and the vastness of the universe. The idea of mortality and immortality is explored in the lines "Immortal, the flame that keeps us up, infernal, the time we lost in vain." Here, the flame symbolizes the part of oneself that is eternal and everlasting, while time represents the fleeting and ephemeral quality of existence.
The chorus of the song, "I’ve been waiting all my life for this to come, this brand new world is where I want to live," can be interpreted as a desire for a fresh start or a new beginning, free from the pain and suffering of the past. The lines "Everything is up to something underneath your blackest emotions, far above your brightest wishes, stands a world for you to hold" suggest that there is always hope and potential for growth and renewal, even in the darkest moments of life. The repetition of the phrase "black hole, black hole" throughout the song also reinforces the idea of the unknown and the never-ending search for answers in a universe that is constantly expanding.
Line by Line Meaning
Black hole, black hole
The term black hole represents the depths of despair or darkness, which is enigmatic and seemingly inhospitable.
Quest of grail, loss of sanctuary
The pursuit of knowledge or wisdom is bittersweet, as it comes at the cost of losing one's sense of safety or peace.
Through the wheel, all is infinity
The cyclical nature of life represents an infinite pattern that governs everything in the universe.
Immortal, the flame that keeps us up
The inner fire, or the burning passion inside each person, provides unyielding strength that keeps them going despite the trials of life.
Infernal, the time we lost in vain
The regret and sorrow that comes from time wasted on fruitless endeavors is a hellish experience.
I've been waiting all my life for this to come
The singer has been eagerly anticipating a major event, possibly the arrival of a new era or a significant change in their life.
This brand new world is where I want to live
The singer desires to inhabit a world that is completely different from the one they currently reside in.
Everything is up to something
Events and circumstances do not happen by chance, as everything is part of a larger plan or purpose.
Underneath your blackest emotions
Even the most negative or painful emotions have an underlying cause or meaning that can be uncovered.
Far above your brightest wishes
There are possibilities and opportunities that are beyond one's imaginations or wildest dreams.
Stands a world for you to hold
There is a world or reality that is waiting for the singer to claim and make their own.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Michael Locher, Alexandre Locher
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@c.m.6906
Black hole, black hole
Quest of grail, loss of sanctuary
Through the wheel, all is infinity
Immortal, the flame that keeps us up
Infernal, the time we lost in vain
I've been waiting all my life for this to come
This brand new world is where I want to live
I've been waiting all my life for this to come
This brand new world is where I want to...
Everything is up to something
Underneath your blackest emotions
Far above your brightest wishes
Stands a world for you to hold
Black hole, black hole
I've been waiting all my life for this to come
This brand new world is where I want to live
Through the wheel, all is infinity
Immortal, the flame that keeps us up
Infernal the time we lost in vain
Black hole, black hole
I've been waiting all my life for this to come
This brand new world is where I want to...
I've been waiting all my life for this to come
This brand new world is where I want to...
I've been waiting all my life for this to come
This brand new world is where I want to live
@anataria
Somehow I wish they will re-master "Above". I can hardly hear Vorph's voice in the records, and seem like the musics are too loud. Hail! this one sounds great!!!
@c.m.6906
Black hole, black hole
Quest of grail, loss of sanctuary
Through the wheel, all is infinity
Immortal, the flame that keeps us up
Infernal, the time we lost in vain
I've been waiting all my life for this to come
This brand new world is where I want to live
I've been waiting all my life for this to come
This brand new world is where I want to...
Everything is up to something
Underneath your blackest emotions
Far above your brightest wishes
Stands a world for you to hold
Black hole, black hole
I've been waiting all my life for this to come
This brand new world is where I want to live
Through the wheel, all is infinity
Immortal, the flame that keeps us up
Infernal the time we lost in vain
Black hole, black hole
I've been waiting all my life for this to come
This brand new world is where I want to...
I've been waiting all my life for this to come
This brand new world is where I want to...
I've been waiting all my life for this to come
This brand new world is where I want to live
@arphar
An amazing return to their roots... love to play this one really loud!
@MrShalvayez
Some bands remember their roots. I'm glad Samael remembered theirs. :)
@littlebiggamer296
this was one of the craziest songs and videos i have seen in so long i loved every minute of it O_O
@SevereRepugnance
Great live band, I saw them a few years back and they really impressed me
@TheSupermonkeypants
God, how could I have never heard of Samael? They're awesome! :D
@Mir1189
I hear black, death, industrial and power metal mixed in this song in very unique way. Most impressive.
@ImperialEliteReturns
first time listening: wow felt like I just got blown to the other end of the room with how fast and awesome this is XD!
@1norwood1
Listen to the lyrics, Samael haven't been a Satanic band since before the release of Passage over 10 years ago. This song refers to the Wheel of Dharma (at least thats my interpretation of it) I really enjoy Samael's lyrics they have a really progressive and positive message. Especially songs like 'Door of Celestial Peace', 'Raidant Star', 'Being', 'Jupiterian Vibe', 'Promised Land' and 'Quasar Waves'