Samael unveil new single with official video “Hidden Empire”

The Swiss metal giants Samael release “Hidden Empire,” the second track on their upcoming limited 12-inch maxi single vinyl, which will be available via Napalm Records mailorder and the band’s official store on April 24, 2026, as per Blabbermouth. This comes after last October’s comeback statement “Black Matter Manifesto,” which was Samael’s first new song in eight years. The new song translates its somber ideas into a tight and dense sound world as it examines the invisible mechanisms influencing modern existence. “Hidden Empire” demonstrates the band’s ability to strike a balance between oppressive atmosphere and hypnotic melody, starting with echoes of Samael’‘s golden era before developing into a crushing blend of heavy riffs and mechanical intensity. The song makes a strong statement when combined with “Black Matter Manifesto,” demonstrating that the Swiss pioneers are still unwavering and progressive.

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

Nine years after the release of “Hegemony” (2017), Samael makes a comeback with the potent limited 12-inch maxi single vinyl “Hidden Empire,” which includes their first new song in almost ten years. The vinyl will only be available through Napalm Records mailorder and Samael‘s official band shop when it is released on April 24, 2026. The powerful songs “Black Matter Manifesto” and “Hidden Empire” will be on the vinyl. Samael, which was founded in 1987, is one of the most significant groups in extreme metal, changing the genre with timeless hits like “Worship Him” and “Passage.” The band continues to push limits with dark precision and apocalyptic grandeur, fusing symphonic, industrial, and black metal into their distinctive unique sound.