When we got to Grindhouse Studio (where the listening session took place) I was under the impression I would listen the absolute continuation of Theogonia. To my surprise things weren’t quite like that. All the elements that make Rotting Christ who they are for the past 20 years are there however they are re arranged and concluded in a way that it’s astonishingly innovative and new. We can trace the typical Rotting Christ riffs, the changes of rhythm, Sakis’s vocals, the harmonies, the quick outbursts combined with groovy parts which are bound to make your head bang and the unique melodies. You might say that this is enough to have a great Rotting Christ Album. Nevertheless, one of the crucial needs in the nature of a true artist such as Sakis is to evolve and dare to leap forward he created one of the most experimental albums in their course which will definitely get your attention.
The album was recorded on Greek grounds, under the Olympus Mountain between July and October 2009 in Lunatech Studios. Production duties were once more handled by Sakis. For the first time we will listen to a lot of guest appearances which make the final result even more interesting. First of all, after all these years we listen to Magus (Necromantia) again in Rotting Christ. Alan from Primordial guests in one track of the album giving a shivering effect and then there is the guest appearance of the multi vocal traditional choir from Ipiros (in Greece’s mainland) called Pliades which sings traditional Greek songs that used to be sang in funerals. There is also the guest appearance of Daemonia Nymphe who enhance the ancient Greek element to the sound of Rotting Christ as the theatrical band Dirty Granny Tales which makes the result even darker, haunting and mysterious. As if these all weren’t enough, one more surprise is added up to the new album to blow out everything we thought we could expect from the next Rotting Christ album and be left in awe. The one and only, unique Diamanda Galas give an even more intriguing effect to whole album. One song of hers Order From The Dead in which Sakis took out the bare vocal lines and composed music upon in an absolute breathtaking outcome. A unique song which refers to the Destruction Of Smyrna.
I feel that the particular album demands more than one listen so that the listener can understand what is going on. What I noticed after listening to the whole 10 tracks is that they flow so easily that you can be misled into thinking it is one song. Do not expect something easily heard. The new Rotting Christ Album may have all the elements we love about the band but it is very experimental, inspirational and enraged. We don’t have to say anything more.
Vasilis Mazaris
