ROTTING CHRIST Listening Session, November 1st 2009

\r\nThree years ago around this time of year, I had the honors of listening for the first time the new album of Rotting Christ Theogonia. The success Theogonia had is something we needn’t mention. What we must mention though is the fact that album brought the band one step forward due to the unique way the tracks had been composed and the new elements that had been integrated into Rotting Christ’s sound. This album was a great success for the band and everyone was wondering how much further the band can go. What else can they do in order to drive their sound even more? After 20 years what could we expect? At least these were the questions in my mind. It was with great pleasure that these questions were answered on the first day of November when we had the chance to listen to the long awaited new Rotting Christ Album. The title is yet to be announced but we do know it will be released through the French label Season Of Mist, and probably on the 15th of February. \r\n

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\r\nWhen 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.
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\r\nThe 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. Sakis, after having the consent of the Diamanda Galas, performed a cover to her song Order From The Dead. A unique song which refers to the Destruction Of Smyrna.\r\n

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\r\nI 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. \r\n

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\r\nVasilis Mazaris
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