Melodic Black Metal - Greece
In the dimly lit catacombs of extreme metal, one name stands as a monolith: ROTTING CHRIST. Sakis Tholis and his brother Themis started this band together back in 1987. In the three decades since, these Greek titans have left their blackened imprint all over the metal world. They’ve released 13 studio albums and played more than 1,300 concerts around the globe. Underneath all this hard work, Rotting Christ have but one vision – an urge to not only push the boundaries of extreme metal, but to keep reinventing themselves along the way.
Rotting Christ’s evolution has unfolded across several distinct chapters. After starting out closer to the barely controlled chaos of grindcore, they went on to establish the iconic sound of Hellenic black metal. Their albums often embrace refined gothic soundscapes, only to plunge back into the depths of blasphemous fervour. Each chapter marked another, further exploration, and an unwavering commitment to push boundaries.
But the real turning point came in 2007, when Rotting Christ signed a pact with Season of Mist. They unleashed a series of albums for the French label that defied any and all expectations. From the piercing Theogonia and the symphonic grandeur of Aelo to the ritualistic intensity of Κατά Τον Δαίμονα Εαυτού, the cinematic experiences created by Rotting Christ became a spectacle of bombastic atmospheres, mesmerizing choirs, and neo-classical arrangements. The unexpected is their modus operandi, with the use of various languages (Latin, Arabic, Greek, English) as well as the extensive use of famous poetry woven into their music, like Edgar Allan Poe’s ‘The Raven’ on The Heretics.
In 2019, Rotting Christ’s epic journey continued with The Apocryphal Spell compilation, which offered fans an intimate glimpse into unreleased and rare material. This allowed them to gather strength, preparing for the release of their next, highly anticipated, 14th full-length studio album:
Pro Xristou.
Pro Xristou (‘Before Christ’ in Greek), serves as a fervent tribute to the last Pagan kings who resisted the onslaught of Christianity, guarding their ancient values and knowledge. In this thematic odyssey, intricately woven through tracks such as ‘The Apostate’ and ‘Ygdrassil’, Rotting Christ delves into the legacies of historical figures such as Flavius Claudius Julianus and Nordic mythological kings, embodying the might of Pagan wisdom in the face of Christian adversity. The album encapsulates the essence of Rotting Christ’s signature style – melodic, yet harsh at times – reinventing themselves yet again, while remaining rooted in their 35-year legacy.
After 35 years, even their faithful followers might have wondered if there was any sacred ground left for Rotting Christ to conquer. But the new album from the Hellenic black metal legends is a testament to a band that’s still on the rise. Pro Xristou has climbed charts all across the world, from their native Greece to the U.S. Billboard Hard Rock charts.
Brothers and sisters of the sacred metal conclave, the hour is upon us to unite under the blackened banner of ROTTING CHRIST once more. With hearts ablaze and spirits untamed, the Tolis brothers proudly present to you the bonus single ‘Primal Resurrection’ from the recently released full-length album, Pro Xristou.
Rising from the pillars of their Hellenic heritage, the sovereign kings of black metal, ROTTING CHRIST, invite you to partake in a monumental crusade across Europe. Hot on the heels of their enthralling 14th studio album Pro Xristou, the Greek metal legends unveil their spellbinding 2024 EU Tour dates, commencing this autumn.
In the pantheon of heavy music, few names resonate as profoundly as ROTTING CHRIST. With a legacy that has both defined and defied the realms of Black Metal, the Athenian heralds return to carve new scriptures of the dark with their latest opus, Pro Xristou. A grandiose narrative born of fire, rebellion, and an unbreakable spirit.
ROTTING CHRIST proudly present The Apostate, the latest single from the unparalleled masters of blackened ‘hellenic’ metal. This track is a vehement storm conjured from the depths of the band’s upcoming monumental release, Pro Xristou — a sonorous odyssey that not only celebrates the indomitable spirit of paganism but also challenges the encroaching shadows of conformity.
