This is one of the various reissues from the Samael catalogue at Century Media. The special thing about this one is that it contains Ceremony Of Opposites as well as the Rebellion and both of which were new to me. I don't know for sure if the sound is remixed but it definitely sounds good for a release from 1994. Any who let's try to finish off this plate of Metal.
The band started out in 1987 releasing several Demos over the next couple of years before having their debut album Worship Him out by Century Media Records in 1991. They have released various albums throughout the years and toured with some of the biggest bands such as Dimmu Borgir and Strapping Young Lad. They have even toured North America twice. In 2002, their contract with Century Media ended and they signed with Regain Records. Regain gave them their own sub-label Galatical Recordings which released their latest album, Reign Of Light.
I am fairly new to Samael. I believe the first album I got from them was in 1999 with Eternal and other than that the only other release I have is Reign Of Light. The point I am trying to make here is that the sound I received from this album was unexpected. They definitely have more of a Black Metal sound than they do today where they have a lot more of a electronic sound. There is nothing wrong with this album that I can really see. Granted it is not the best album by them, but definitely a good one.
My favorite tracks are Son Of Earth, After The Sepulture and Rebellion. Son Of Earth just has this absolutely engulfing guitar track; it is too fricking awesome. The sound is just perfect and the way it blends with the rest of the music is great. After The Sepulture has this totally wicked keyboard that just makes you slowly bob your head like you don't have a choice. Rebellion also is just one of those tracks that just pulls you in like that grandparent you haven't seen for 3 years and just wants to kiss you and hug you and not let go. No matter how bad you wanna get away from these songs, you can't, there is no escape.
On the whole I enjoy this album and it was a pleasant surprise compared to the their more recent work. I can honestly say that I don't think I have ever heard anything like this early Samael work. It is top notch and very unique. My only complaint is that the songs are kind of short and the whole album just kind of blows by you very quickly without giving you a chance to absorb it. Then on the other hand they could have made it longer just for the sake of it being long and then it might have gotten boring. Oh well. I suggest picking up this reissue for all fans of Samael and Industrial influenced Metal even though there isn't as much of that on this release.