ROTTING CHRIST „Theogonia”

Music: Melodic Black Metal
Website: rotting-christ.com
Country: Greece
Duration: 42:47 (10 songs)
Cool Songs: All of them!

The kings of Greek metal are back. Metal veterans Rotting Christ have played for more than 20 years now, and Theogonia is the band's 9th full-length album, 1st released by Season of Mist. Rotting Christ's sound has changed and evolved over the years. With this album, they turned up a great combination of old and new school black metal sound.
Fortunately, they took all the typical and enjoyable elements from their previous albums and mixed them together to make a new sound, starting with almost operatic choirs and keyboards and ending with muted melodic riffs. In addition, they newly turned to traditional Greek folk sounds, that gave the album an irreplaceable atmosphere.

The title of the album, “Theogonia”, is defined as the origin of Gods and the way existence appeared out of emptiness. Pursuant to the lyrical content and track titles, everything relates to “Theogonia,” exploring the ways you come to life. This all makes the album a highly conceptual album, apart from the songs, that are strongly tied together.

Although “Theogonia” is a very complex album, it comes with just enough hooks to make it catchy and tasty. The keyboard atmosphere, bursts of scream, better than ever, and forceful drumming add up to the perfect instrumentation. This all is emphasized by the crystal-clear production, their best one so far (maybe along with “Triarchy of the Lost Lovers” from 1996) – every note, every word (if we accept vocalist's highly authentic pronunciation) and instrument in general can be heard perfectly. Worth mentioning is also the significant artwork of the album.

The first track, “Χαος Γενετο (The Sign of Prime Creation)”, does a little introduction, as we've become used to with their later albums. It characteristically beats out just like “Visions Of A Blind Order”, “Daemons”, and “Thou Art Blind” from the last three albums. The only difference is that it is followed by “Keravnos Kivernitos,” which kicks ass right from the beginning, and not by the usual building, more epic track like “Lex Talionis.” The whole album is loaded with original riffs and melodies, especially obvious in “Phobos’ Synagogue” or “Gaia Tellus,” while the eastern sounds in “Helios Hyperion”,”Nemecic” or “Enuma Elish” are just a dazing bonus. The last track “Threnody” then ethereally seals the album, and leaves us with the wish to play the album once again, which surely was the songwriter's aim.

I consider “Theogonia” Rotting Christ's best album so far, although many people wouldn't agree with me. I highly recommend it to everyone, who wants to hear a little piece of ingenious harmonic work.

note: 10/10

Tracklist

1. Χαος Γενετο (The Sign of Prime Creation)
2. Keravnos Kivernitos
3. Nemecic
4. Enuma Elish
5. Phobos' Synagogue
6. Gaia Tellus
7. Rege Diabolicus
8. He, the Aethyr
9. Helios Hyperion
10. Threnody

Line-up

Sakis Tolis – guitar/vocals
Giorgos Bokos – guitar
Andreas Lagios – bass
Themis Tolis – drums