Another gig in Belgium?s most know metal chapel! After Samael?s previous cancellation they are back in the Biebob this time. Some weeks ago I missed them out at Arnhem?s Metal Meeting. A friend of mine who saw them ordered me to go. ?You will not be disappointed?, he said. So I went on a quest to Antwerp...

The entrance at the doors was 15 euro and luckily my fellow colleagues of Panchrysia had put me on the guestlist. I must say 15 fucking euro is like a lot for just two bands? I?ve heard that?s the new Biebob policy? Anyway, I was very curious about Samael, because I almost never go to major underground gigs. I mostly prefer local bands. Therefore I would give it a try.

Precisely at 20:30 Panchrysia kicked off with their modern black metal set. I?ve seen this band like a lot and each time they are getting better. I remember them during their first days, still playing melodic death metal under the philosophical name of Zarathustra. The venue was even emptier than empty and I was standing with only a few in front of Zahrim and co. This was the first time I saw Panchrysia with dirty warpaint on their faces. Just like their songs, their show improves each time I see them. A few weeks ago they played in Paris (X-Mass Fests) in front of hundreds of people. Panchrysia is a well oiled black metal machine nowadays and visually pleasant to watch. I guess they can easily throw Ancient Rites and Enthroned off their black metal throne. Too bad the people were acting like statues and the response was quite zip. Just like bass player Joris stated later on that evening: "compare Samael with Panchrysia and look at the audience. It?s a whole other bunch of people coming for Samael." And correct he was? Nevertheless I enjoyed them a lot.

Playlist Panchrysia:
1. Brave black world
2. Angst
3. Creation of a mortal spirit
4. The watcher
5. Infection 1349
6. Revolt culture
7. Checkpoint zero

Around 21.30 the legendary Samael from Switserland entered the stage. In no time the Biebob was packed very cosy. After a long intro ?Rain? sets in the beginning of a damn fine setlist yet to come. Samael is one of the first bands that got me into extreme metal. ?Worship him? and especially ?Blood ritual? are printed forever on me fading cranium plat. Of course we all know some things have changed for Samael. And with a huge sense of shame I have to admit there?s a enormous black hole between ?Ceremony of opposites? and the latest album ?Reign of light?. I don?t know any other release in between. Years ago I saw Samael at the Graspop Metal Meeting in Belgium and I still remember how they played ?Rain? in the rain, hahaha? Hallucinating? Accidental I bumped onto their latest release and I was stunned immediately. This is the perfect mix of metal with electronics, militant beats, oriental chords and demonic vocals. Truly innovating! Samael went on their hunt and ?Inch? Allah? was my personal highlight quite early during their set. I never thought a drumless band would be visually interesting. But the way Xy combines synths with real cymbals and drums is quite impressive. Even my not-into-metal girlfriend told me the balding Vorph has got a lot of karma. With his oriental dress and sensei look, he was impressive. Bass player Mas was dancing like a girl and enjoyed the gig a lot. Fun to watch, hahaha? Guitarist Makro was standing in front of a ventilator and the smoke flew around his head, ultra demonic. Indeed, the show was very good. I?m still in shock. Just like in Arnhem a few weeks ago they projected images and effects on the wall behind them. Aslo the setlist was the same? The only negative remark was the less good sound. Sure, Samael sounded superb, yet not crystal clear as it would suit them. Vorph and his squad seemed to be very pleased with the loud reactions of the crowd, a  diverse audience of black metallers, goths and industrials. After ?The Ones Who Came Before ? Samael came back to play three more songs in a row. 

Playlist Samael:
1. Intro
2. Rain
3. Shining Kingdom
4. Inch? Allah
5. On Earth
6. Jupiterian Vibe
7. Reign Of Light
8. Telepath
9. Nautilus & Zeppelin
10. Black Trip
11. Baphomet?s Throne
12. Year Zero
13. High Above
14. Infragalaxia
15. The Ones Who Came Before

Extra songs:
16. Moongate
17. The Cross 
18. My Saviour


I was a very good gig and I think it was the best gig I?ve seen this year. Samael?s new songs are just written to be played for a live audience. Next time Samael passes Belgium I?ll be back. Hasta la vista baby?




* Credits to Panchrysia for the pictures.

Want more info on Samael?
Visit Samael's band information page!

Want more info on Panchrysia?
Visit Panchrysia's band information page!

Other articles for Samael:

Concert review		25 years of extreme metal: Anniversary special show»	by Ron 07 Sep, 2008
News article		This is the very limited dates and places where you'll be able to catch Samael live this summer»	by Yulon 10 Jun, 2008
Concert review		De Kelder, Amersfoort, April 25th 2008»	by Wouter 16 May, 2008
Album review		Solar Soul»	by Filip 23 May, 2007
Interview		There might be some political undertone on this album»	by Filip 23 May, 2007
News article		recordings are finished, new song for download»	by Emanuel Seagal 14 Dec, 2006
Concert review		7-1-2006, De Boerderij, Zoetermeer, The Netherlands»	by Felix 05 Feb, 2006
Concert review		6-1-2006, De Bosuil, Weert, The Netherlands»	by FilipBart 07 Jan, 2006
Concert review		6-1-2006, De Bosuil, Weert, The Netherlands»	by FilipBart 07 Jan, 2006
Classick review		Worship him»	by Filip 12 Oct, 2005
Festival review		Samael (02:15 - 03:00)»	by Neithan 25 Sep, 2005
Festival review		1700 Samael (17:00-18:00)»	by Mark 08 Jul, 2005
Interview		We still try to make music that excites us!»	by Marcel 24 Dec, 2004
Festival review		Samael - 2320»	by Ron 04 Dec, 2004
Album review		Reign of light»	by Marcel 23 Oct, 2004
Festival review		Samael - 1840»	by Loekske 01 Jul, 2002

Other articles for Panchrysia:

Album review		Deathcult Salvation»	by Neithan 01 May, 2008
Festival		Arnhem Metal Meeting 2007»	by Kimberley 14 Feb, 2008
Album review		The Ultimate Crescendo Of Hell»	by Filip 24 Aug, 2006
News article		announce split release»	by Filip 25 Feb, 2006
Album review		Malicious parasite»	by Filip 16 Aug, 2004
Interview		Though "In Obscure Depths" can't be brought down»	by Neithan 31 Dec, 2002
Album review		In Obscure Depths»	by Neithan 26 Jun, 2002