A unique album that I can play all the way through, with 11 very diverse and memorable tracks clocking in at over 42 minutes. At first this cd took a while for me to get into, but now I love it! This appears to be Samael at their peak, as they have evolved with each album. Originally they were a very dark sounding, slower version of a black metal band, a style which they perfected, but for this album they took on a more industrial style, using more synthesisers, and using a drum machine, both to great effect. Samael's latest material seems to me to be a bit difficult to listen to because they've gone for such a NIN/Ministry sound (ok maybe not that bad) but Passage is the perfect amalgam of dark metal and industrial. Vorphalack's vocals have the strength and quality to fit into any black metal band, without completely screeching, but I think they suit Samael's style brilliantly, adding so much atmosphere. Unlike alot of atmospheric metal, this stuff is right in your face, without subtlety and without trying to hold anything back. In "Angel's Decay" and "Moonskin," two very beautiful songs, piano is integrated with the guitar to great effect, while in stark contrast songs like "Liquid Soul Dimension" and "Chosen Race" use keyboards to arouse atmosphere to similar effect as a band like Emperor. As I said, this album is incredibly diverse, although it takes some getting used to at first.

This review is credited to:
Julian Forbes