ROTTING CHRIST, the Greek extreme metal pioneers and one of the defining forces of the Hellenic black metal scene, will reissue the EP “Der Perfekte Traum” through Season of Mist. Originally released in November 1998 on Century Media Records, the seven-track release spans approximately 35 minutes and captures the band at a pivotal creative crossroads between the melodic darkness of A Dead Poem (1997) and the atmospheric depth of Sleep of the Angels (1999).
The EP pairs two studio recordings with five live tracks drawn from the Triarchy of the Lost Lovers era. The haunting title track, performed entirely in German, weaves gothic textures with industrial undertones into one of the band’s most unusual and hypnotic compositions—a song that has endured as a live staple for over two decades. “Moonlight” leans further into melancholic, dark rock sensibilities, foreshadowing the band’s future explorations. The live recordings, captured in Poland during the legendary 1996 “Out of the Dark” European tour alongside Samael and Moonspell, preserve the band’s visceral stage presence in its rawest form and represent the first officially released live material in the Rotting Christ catalogue.
The EP features the core duo of Sakis Tolis (vocals, guitars) and Themis Tolis (drums), with an uncredited session bassist on the studio tracks. The live recordings notably feature founding bassist Jim Mutilator, who had departed the band in 1996, making these among the final captured documents of the original rhythm section.
The studio tracks on “Der Perfekte Traum” were recorded at Woodhouse Studios in Hagen, Germany, in September 1998, with pre-production by Sakis Tolis in Athens. Woodhouse Studios, owned by renowned producer and engineer Siggi Bemm, was one of Europe’s premier facilities for metal and gothic production during this period. The five live tracks were recorded in Poland during the “Out of the Dark” tour, 1996.
Now reissued on vinyl in a gatefold presentation, the release is available as a 12” vinyl gatefold in classic black and an exclusive gold, orange and black marbled coloured variant. This edition presents a long-overlooked chapter of Rotting Christ’s legacy, essential for dedicated followers and collectors alike.
Pre-order: https://redirect.season-of-mist.com/RCReissues
