ROTTING CHRIST are now streaming their complete forthcoming full-length ‘Rituals’, which will be released worldwide on February 12th. The album is exclusively premiered by the official media partners below.
Main man Sakis Tolis comments: “Dear Friends, herewith I proudly present to you our latest creation ‘Rituals’! These 11 brand new tracks are united by their mission to take you to the sublime devotion, which can only be achieved by a ritual. We are unearthing some lost knowledge and secrets from around the globe, before they sink deeper into the dustbin of history. Take a deep breath and dive with us into the abyss!”
Artwork and track list of ‘Rituals‘ can both be viewed below.
1. In Nomine Dei Nostri
2. זה נגמר (Ze Nigmar)
3. Ἐλθὲ Κύριε (Elthe Kyrie)
4. Les Litanies De Satan (Les Fleurs Du Mal)
5. Ἄπαγε Σατανά (Apage Satana)
6. Του Θάνατου (Tou Thanatou)
7. For A Voice Like Thunder
8. Konx Om Pax
9. देवदेवं (Devadevam)
10. The Four Horsemen
11. Lok’tar Ogar [bonus track]
Photo-credit: Ester Segarra
ROTTING CHRIST have stood the test of time. ‘Rituals’ is an album that has obviously been written by veterans. The Greek legends inject a 27 years career, 12 albums, and more than 1.200 shows into their songwriting. With confidence and skills derived from experience, each song represents its own sonic universe. Guitarist and vocalist Sakis Tolis in collaboration with his brother Themis on drums achieve a perfect balance of amalgamating their classic and unique style of riffing and rhythm with exciting new elements sprinkled in to keep their material exciting and fresh. Carefully chosen guests are being added for better effect, not name dropping such as the spoken words of Nick Holmes (PARADISE LOST) on “A Voice Like Thunder” or SAMAEL’s Vorph mesmerizingly quoting from Charles Baudelaire’s “Les Fleurs Du Mal” throughout the song “Les Litanies De Satan”. Goosebumps moments such as these are liberally sprinkled throughout the record, which manages the feat to sound rock solid and made out of one heavy piece as well as diverse and far ranging at the same time. The experienced is enhanced by Jens Bogren’s equally clear and transparent yet also massive as well as sombre mix and mastering at his widely renowned Fascination Street Studios (AMORPHIS, BORKNAGAR, MOONSPELL, DEVIN TOWNSEND, and many more).
A mature album such as ‘Rituals’ comes with a history. ROTTING CHRIST were founded as early as 1987 by Sakis Tolis and his brother Themis. They started out playing death/grind, but had already turned to darker paths by the time their debut full-length ‘Thy Mighty Contract’ (1993) was unleashed. On the following seven albums covering a ten year period from ‘Non Serviam’ (1994) to ‘Sanctus Diavolos’ (2004), ROTTING CHRIST steadily refined their style by experimenting with elements from death, heavy and gothic metal without betraying their black roots. At the same time the band went from underground heroes to headliner status. Yet with the highly acclaimed ‘Theogonia’ (2007) the Greek stalwarts added an unmistakable native element to their sound, which gave their ninth full-length a very distinctive and individual twist. With this album, ROTTING CHRIST had fully defined their style, to be explored with later releases. Such a masterpiece can hardly be surpassed, but ROTTING CHRIST held their ground with ‘AEALO’ (2010). Their country’s rich ancient heritage was translated into the universal language of metal with added female choirs, ancient reed pipes as well as folkloristic melodies and rhythms. Their latest masterpiece ‘KATA TON DAIMONA EAYTOY’ (2013) took this musical and lyrical concept another step further, confirming ROTTING CHRIST‘s individual sound incorporating subtle female vocals, piano, bagpipes, horns, and other means. All of these elements are expertly combined and enhanced by excellent songwriting. Now ‘Rituals’ marks another step in the evolution of the Greek masters. Buckle up for a fascinating musical ride through ancient cults and mythologies evoking strong feelings and firing up imagination. Metal at its best!
Guest musicians (in order of appearance) Magus (NECROMANTIA) – In Nomine Dei Nostri Danai Katsameni (NATIONAL HELLENIC THEATER) – Ἐλθὲ Κύριε (Elthe Kyrie) Vorph (SAMAEL) – Les Litanies De Satan (Les Fleurs Du Mal) Nick Holmes (PARADISE LOST) – For A Voice Like Thunder Kathir (Rudra) – देवदेवं (Devadevam)
When my old buddy Kenn Jensen asked me if I wanted to contribute to the new site he had created, then called powermetal.dk, I didn't hesitate. My love for metal music was and is great. I wrote my first review during the summer of 2004 (Moonspell's 'Antidote' album). In 2015, I took over the editor-in-chief role.
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