Following the fierce comeback statement "Black Matter Manifesto", Samael now present "Hidden Empire", the second track featured on their forthcoming limited 12" maxi single vinyl, due for release on 24 April via Napalm Records.
The new song delves into the unseen frameworks shaping modern existence, channelling its dark themes into a tense and weighty sonic landscape. Opening with echoes of Samael's classic era before shifting into a crushing fusion of heavy riffs and mechanical intensity, "Hidden Empire" highlights the band's ability to balance oppressive atmosphere with hypnotic melody. Together with "Black Matter Manifesto", it forms a powerful two‑track statement proving that the Swiss pioneers remain as uncompromising and forward‑thinking as ever.
Samael on "Hidden Empire": "Hidden in plain sight, right in front of us, everywhere and at all times. We no longer see what we are used to seeing; it is our reality, a reality to which we willingly submit in order to lead a painless but meaningless existence. Musically, the beginning of the song is somewhat reminiscent of Samael's classic track 'My Saviour', but it quickly evolves into something more unusual for the band. It is a heavy song with an industrial touch that maintains high tension from start to finish".
"Black Matter Manifesto" (click HERE for the lyric video) marks Samael's long‑awaited return — raw, forceful, and unmistakably theirs. With "Hidden Empire", the legendary Swiss innovators reaffirm their enduring presence, delivering a track that commands through sheer intensity while retaining the band's trademark melodies and haunting riffs. Together, these songs underscore Samael's relentless drive to expand a genre they helped shape — as vital, uncompromising, and imposing as ever. Link
* Samael live:
28.03.26 DE – Hirschaid / Braincrusher In Hell Festival
04.04.26 NO – Oslo / Inferno Festival
25.06.26 LT – Ukmerge / Kilkim Zaibu
05.08.26 CZ – Jaromer / Brutal Assault
Italian melodic dark/doom metal force Shores Of Null present “Son Of The Tide”, the second glimpse into their forthcoming album Homesick, set for release on 16 October via Dusktone...
Austrian dark post‑rock/post‑metal collective Our Ceasing Voice present their new single and official video “The Man You Wanted Me To Be”, alongside full details of their long‑awaited...
Austin‑based darkwave and electronic rock project Mass Minor, led by multi‑instrumentalist Andrew J. Martin, Jr., returns with a brand new single “Nowhere Now”, marking the first official...
Pioneering electronic dance act Lords Of Acid have shared another piece, "Ich Will Nur Das" (lit. I Just Want), taken from their forthcoming record Mundo Bizarro, scheduled to arrive...
"We only make an album when we feel genuinely inspired. You can't just say, "OK, I'm going to record a new album", because without inspiration, it would be boring." - Gregor Mackintosh
"I don't tend to judge people, but I do judge them if they're too lazy to engage in independent thought or if they're simply careless and don't consider the consequences..." - Sven Friedrich
"Art isn't meant to always be pretty and make us feel comfortable and good about ourselves. I'm not afraid to broach difficult emotions and to express the beautiful ones too." - Martin Saint
"We're really into oxymorons and that sort of thing. Years and years ago, we came up with this idea—well, we didn't invent it, but we called it "happy sad"." - Matt James
