Rotting Christ have stood the test of time. While their name has caused plenty of gatekeepers to clutch their pearls, Sakis Tolis and his brother Themis have ascended from Greece’s blackened catacombs to one of metal’s most formidable bands.
In the echoes of heritage, ‘Like Father, Like Son’ emerges – a hymn that resonates with the timeless message of pride, honor, and the indomitable spirit of Rotting Christ. The first single off Pro Xristou presents a tale of the profound wisdom of a father’s legacy, a powerful testament to passion, love, and faith. Haunting whispers of a departed father linger, shaping the identity of the son who walks in his shadow.
Incredibly catchy riffs, supplemented by Themis’ steadfast drumming style create an anthem that stands through the ages. It’s impossible not to chant along Sakis’ fierce ‘Like Father, Like Son’ line during the song’s emblematic chorus that remains embedded in your memory long after the final notes ring out.
Pro Xristou comes out May 24 on Season of Mist.
Pre-order: https://shop.season-of-mist.com/list/rotting-christ-pro-xristou
Pre-save: https://orcd.co/proxtristoupresave
“Dear brothers and sisters”, Sakis writes. “On behalf of Rotting Christ, I proudly present to you the first video from Pro Xristou. This song is inspired by the strong relationship between a father and son. Covered by a temple of soulful melodies, ‘Like Father, Like Son gives you a taste of the epic sound behind our new album. Thanks for your attention. We hope that you’ll enjoy this video, as there are many more to come!”
Track-list
1. Pro Xristou (Προ Χριστού) (1:29)
2. The Apostate (5:01)
3. Like Father, Like Son (4:35)
4. The Sixth Day (3:56)
5. La Lettera Del Diavolo (4:01)
6. The Farewell (6:15)
7. Pix Lax Dax (4:33)
8. Pretty World, Pretty Dies (4:51)
9. Yggdrasil (5:04)
10. Saoirse (6:17)
11. Primal Resurrection (Bonus Track) (5:32) – Only Deluxe Editions!
12. All For One (Bonus Track) (3:37) – Only Deluxe Editions!
Total runtime: 55:17
Style: Melodic Black Metal
Photo by © Chantik Photography
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 offers 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.
Line-up
Sakis Tolis – Guitar, Vocals
Themis Tolis – Drums
Kostas “Spades” Heliotis – Bass
Kostis Fouk – Guitar
Guest Musicians
Amdroniki Skoula – Vocals (on ‘La Letra Del Diavolo’)
Nikos Kerkiras – Keyboard
Christina Alexiou – Choir
Maria Tsironi – Choir
Alexandros Loyziotis – Choir
Vasilis Karatzas – Choir
Andrew Liles – Narration (on ‘The Apostate’, ‘Pretty World, Pretty Dies’)
Kim Diaz Holm – Narration (on ‘Ygdrassil’)
Recording Studio
Deva Sounds Studios (Athens, Greece)
Producer
Sakis Tolis Sound Engineer
Fotis Bernando
Aggelos Karatzas
Mixing
Jens Borgen at Fascination Street Studios (Örebro, Sweden)
Mastering
Tony Lidgren at Fascination Street Studios (Örebro, Sweden)
Artwork Artists
Thomas Cole – Artwork
Adrien Bousson – Digital Processing
Biography
Sébastien J. Gamez
Links:
Official Website: https://www.rotting-christ.com/en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rottingchristofficial/
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/rottingchristofficial/
Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/athanatoieste
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/RottingChristOfficia
Bandcamp: https://rottingchristofficial.bandcamp.com/
Apple Music: http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/rotting-christ/id28441629
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7FhkwcO8Jd7BRWdllBpXBJ
