What is more important, especially for us Hellenics, to have the announcement of a new release of the most important Hellenic and not only, metal band Rotting Christ, who since their beginning in 1987, have not stopped bothering us, only positively!
The long-standing global band with over 1300 concerts around the world, was created, evolved and always with hard work has reached the point where the release of their new 14th album is expected with great anticipation from all over the metal firmament.
Since their inception, they have gone through musically and compositionally in various phases, for years, from “Aealo” onwards, they have essentially passed into the third phase of their career, which is characterized by a specific sound and more epic themes.
Certainly one of the highlights of Rotting Christ is when they signed in year 2007 with the French Season of Mist. From cinematic images with spectacles of pompous atmosphere, enchanting choirs to neoclassical orchestrations.
Also very important is that they started using various languages (Latin, Arabic, Greek, English) as well as extensive use of famous poetry woven into their music, such as “The Raven” by Edgar Allan Poe in “The Heretics” of 2019.
Rotting Christ’s epic journey continued with The Apocryphal Spell collection, which offers fans unreleased and rare material. This allowed them to gather strength, preparing for the release of their next, long-awaited, 14th full-length studio album: “Pro Xristou”.
“Pro Xristou” (“ΠΡΟ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥ” in Hellenics), is a fervent tribute to the last pagan kings who resisted the onslaught of Christianity, preserving their ancient values and knowledge.
In this themed odyssey, intricately woven through pieces such as “The Apostate” and “Ygdrassil,” Rotting Christ delves into the legacies of historical figures such as Flavius Claudius Julian and Norse mythological kings, embodying the power of pagan wisdom in the face of Christian adversity.
“Pro Xristou” is a distinctly Rotting Christ album and as a first impression, it is better than “The Heretics”. It is a live album full of images, epic atmosphere and all the good things that Rotting Christ have accustomed us to, in the last phase, as we said above, of their career.
The production by Sakis Tolis himself and the sound engineering by Fotis Bernando and Aggelos Karatzas as always at very high levels, as well as the mixing and mastering by Jens Borgen and Tony Lidgren respectively, both of which took place at Fascination Street Studios!
The participations of artists such as Androniki Skoula on the vocals of the song “La Letra Del Diavolo” are important. Also the participation of Nikos Kerkiras on keyboards and Christina Alexiou, Maria Tsironi, Alexandros Loyziotis, Vasilis Karatzas on choral parts.
Finally, Andrew Liles narrated “The Apostate”, “Pretty World, Pretty Dies” and Kim Diaz Holm narrated “Ygdrassil”.
To come down to the basics of “Pro Xristou”, I think it’s a pretty easy listening album that younger fans of the band will enjoy.
Older people like me probably always have the anticipation for a 90’s album that let’s be honest, we’re not going to have again, it will satisfy us if always in the back of our minds.
On the plus side, the whole flow of the album is pleasant and does not drown out like in “The Heretics”.
“Pro Xristou” begins with the title track – introduction and references to the deities by name.
“The Apostate” which begins with the words of Flavius Claudius Julian and has the characteristic epic rhythm.
“Like Father, Like Son” the track chosen as the first single and video clip.
“The Sixth Day” a melody, “somewhere I’ve heard it before” and let’s go further.
“La Lettera Del Diavolo” the participation of Amdroniki Skoula important and gives the “something” to the piece.
“The Farewell” slow, epic, atmospheric.
“Pix, Lax, Dax” travels us to the Ancient era and is one of the best tracks of the album.
“Pretty World, Pretty Dies” dark, heavy and covered with a strange black veil.
“Yggdrasil” epic, martial with alternation at a faster pace and this one of the best.
Finally, “Pro Xristou” closes with “Saoirse” and the sounds of swords. The song about claiming freedom, epic!
“Pro Xristou” is not an album that will surprise us, but it will seem familiar.
It has negatives like the cover which is overused, like the title that will confuse.
But it is an epic and has all the elements to stand in the long career of the band.
These are pieces that will have a place in live performances and I imagine them with a live choir.
Spyros Tribos
9/10
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)
12. All For One (Bonus Track) (3:37)
Total runtime: 55:17
Line-up
Sakis Tolis – Guitars, Vocals
Kostas Foukarakis – Guitars
Kostas Cheliotis – Bass
Themis Tolis – Drums
Pre-order: https://redirect.season-of-mist.com/RottingChristProXristou
Pre-save: https://orcd.co/proxtristoupresave
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
Available Formats:
Digital Download
CD Digipak
CD Clamshell Box – Deluxe Digipak w/ Gold Foil + 2 Bonus
Tracks & Extras
12″ Vinyl Gatefold – Black
12″ Coloured Vinyl Gatefold – Crystal Clear
12″ Coloured Vinyl Gatefold – Crystal Clear, Red & Blue Mixed
12″ Coloured Vinyl Gatefold – Green
12″ Coloured Vinyl Gatefold – Turquoise
12″ Coloured Vinyl Gatefold – Yellow
12″ Coloured Vinyl Gatefold – Blue
12″ Coloured Vinyl Gatefold – silver & Black Marbled
Limited Box Set Vinyl – 12″ Gold & Black Marbled w/ Gold Foil + 2 Bonus Tracks & Extras
Cassette
