Eternal (Re-Issue)

Having brought their unique techno-inflected black metal vision to a zenith on 1996's remarkable Passage, there was really only one way for Switzerland's Samael to go. You guessed it: down — and down they go with an efficient but unremarkable follow-up in 1999's Eternal. Ironically, achieving a more seamless blend of their core but disparate sonic elements (harsh vocals, savage black metal riffing and demonic choruses underpinned by eerie synthesizer melodies and electronic drum patterns), nullifies much of the striking contrast responsible for giving previous efforts their special spark. Not surprisingly, standout tracks like "Us," "Supra Karma," and "Infra Galaxia" rely on those very same contrasts to succeed, but, for the most part, its relatively fluid, unexciting offerings like "Year Zero," "Ailleurs," and "Nautilus & Zeppelin" that abound here. Elsewhere: hidden near the end of the album, "Being" deserves mention for its off the wall combination of honky tonk piano and death metal grunting; but the more commercial "Together" loses some points for its similarities to Swedish goth-deathsters Tiamat. A far from disappointing album, Eternal simply fails to live up to the lofty expectations created by its powerful predecessor. [Century Media's 2008 reissue included seven bonus tracks.]