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Rotting Christ // ΠΡΟ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥ (Pro Xristoy) // Album Review

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Rotting Christ is one of the mainstays in the world of Black Metal, which formed when two brothers – Sakis and Themis Tholis- decided to start making music in 1987. Since that day that changed the face of the genre, the band have played over 1300 concerts across the world, released 13 studio albums and kept themselves at the forefront of the scene through continued evolution.

So for a band that has seen and done it all, where do they head now? ΠΡΟ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥ (Pro Xristoy) gives you a clue. Meaning Before Christ in Greek, Rotting Christ pays tribute to the last Pagan kings who resisted Christianity and the violence it brought with it.

The 12 tracks span around 55 minutes and I can tell you now, if you are into your Melodic Black Metal, then this has your name written all over it! From the opening announcement of the album title and the heavy riff, the chants and the feeling of enormity, there is just something about this, you know its going to be amazing.

As this opening track ends and the drums and guitars erupt, you could be lulled into the feeling that this is going to be balls out heavy, but then the melodic aspects kick in and weave back and forth.

This method of hypnotic chants mixed with sporadic heavy to almost shake you out of the trance is something you will get used to as the album continues. The guitars with scythe through the more melodic moments but that balance is perfect – as you would expect from a band of such calibre. The harshness and beauty are measured brilliantly, you can feel that gritty undertone through everything whilst also allowing yourself to get carried away by the notes of the strings.

Some albums that have that melodic sound can feel like they drag, but ΠΡΟ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥ (Pro Xristoy) flew by and before I knew it I was back at the beginning, wanting to experience it all over again. I must admit – I have listened to it a lot and it continues to get better with each listen I was a fan from the first.

Rotting Christ have done it again and I really can’t wait to hear some of the tracks at Bloodstock Open Air this August. A top-drawer band have created another top-drawer album.

ΠΡΟ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥ (Pro Xristoy) will be released Friday, May 24th 2024 via Season of Mist.

Review: Ed Ford

Tracklist

  1. Pro Xristoy (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

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
Sebastien Gamez

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

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