Rotting Christ stream first track and publish details of new album

Season Of Mist presents: 

ROTTING CHRIST are now releasing the first new track taken from their forthcoming full-length 'Rituals', which has been slated for worldwide release on February 12th. The track "Ἐλθὲ Κύριε (Elthe Kyrie)" is now exclusively premiered by the official media partners below.

Frontman Sakis Tolis comments: "Dear friends! We now present the first creation of our forthcoming album 'Rituals' to you. It is not an easy task to pick only one song to represent a whole album as diverse as this, but as it has to suffice for the time being, the choice fell on 'Ἐλθὲ Κύριε (Elthe Kyrie)', which translates as 'Come Lord' and was influenced by the tragic ancient Greek poet Euripides and more specifically his creation 'Bakxais'. This pure bacchanalian play refers to the coming of the new god. The ritualistic atmosphere of this historical theatre drama influenced us lyrically as well as musically and resulted in this song that you are currently listening to. There only remains one thing, which is us taking you on a mystical journey into ancient Greek bacchanalian occultism. The amazing female guest vocals are courtesy of the fabulous Danai Katsameni, an actress of the National Hellenic Theater."

ROTTING CHRIST are simultaneously unveiling the artwork and track list of 'Rituals', which can both be viewed below.

1. In Nomine Dei Nostri

2. זה נגמר (Ze Nigmar)

3. Ἐλθὲ Κύριε (Elthe Kyrie)

4. Les Litanies De Satan (Les Fleurs Du Mal)

5. Ἄπαγε Σατανά (Apage Satana)

6. Του Θάνατου (Tou Thanatou)

7. For A Voice Like Thunder

8. Konx Om Pax

9. देवदेवं (Devadevam)

10. The Four Horsemen

11. Lok'tar Ogar [bonus track]

ROTTING CHRIST have stood the test of time. 'Rituals' is an album that has obviously been written by veterans. The Greek legends inject a 27 years career, 12 albums, and more than 1.200 shows into their songwriting. With confidence and skills derived from experience, each song represents its own sonic universe. Guitarist and vocalist Sakis Tolis in collaboration with his brother Themis on drums achieve a perfect balance of amalgamating their classic and unique style of riffing and rhythm with exciting new elements sprinkled in to keep their material exciting and fresh. Carefully chosen guests are being added for better effect, not name dropping such as the spoken words of Nick Holmes (PARADISE LOST) on "A Voice Like Thunder" or SAMAEL's Vorph mesmerizingly quoting from Charles Baudelaire's "Les Fleurs Du Mal" throughout the song "Les Litanies De Satan". Goosebumps moments such as these are liberally sprinkled throughout the record, which manages the feat to sound rock solid and made out of one heavy piece as well as diverse and far ranging at the same time. The experienced is enhanced by Jens Bogren's equally clear and transparent yet also massive as well as sombre mix and mastering at his widely renowned Fascination Street Studios (AMORPHIS, BORKNAGAR, MOONSPELL, DEVIN TOWNSEND, and many more).

A mature album such as 'Rituals' comes with a history. ROTTING CHRIST were founded as early as 1987 by Sakis Tolis and his brother Themis. They started out playing death/grind, but had already turned to darker paths by the time their debut full-length ‘Thy Mighty Contract’ (1993) was unleashed. On the following seven albums covering a ten year period from 'Non Serviam' (1994) to 'Sanctus Diavolos' (2004), ROTTING CHRIST steadily refined their style by experimenting with elements from death, heavy and gothic metal without betraying their black roots. At the same time the band went from underground heroes to headliner status. Yet with the highly acclaimed 'Theogonia' (2007) the Greek stalwarts added an unmistakable native element to their sound, which gave their ninth full-length a very distinctive and individual twist. With this album, ROTTING CHRIST had fully defined their style, to be explored with later releases. Such a masterpiece can hardly be surpassed, but ROTTING CHRIST held their ground with 'AEALO' (2010). Their country’s rich ancient heritage was translated into the universal language of metal with added female choirs, ancient reed pipes as well as folkloristic melodies and rhythms. Their latest masterpiece 'KATA TON DAIMONA EAYTOY' (2013) took this musical and lyrical concept another step further, confirming ROTTING CHRIST's individual sound incorporating subtle female vocals, piano, bagpipes, horns, and other means. All of these elements are expertly combined and enhanced by excellent songwriting. Now 'Rituals' marks another step in the evolution of the Greek masters. Buckle up for a fascinating musical ride through ancient cults and mythologies evoking strong feelings and firing up imagination. Metal at its best! 

Line-up 

Sakis: vocals, guitars

Themis: drums

Van Ace: bass

George: guitars

Guest musicians (in order of appearance) 

Magus (NECROMANTIA) - In Nomine Dei Nostri

Danai Katsameni (NATIONAL HELLENIC THEATER) -  Ἐλθὲ Κύριε (Elthe Kyrie)

Vorph (SAMAEL) - Les Litanies De Satan (Les Fleurs Du Mal)

Nick Holmes (PARADISE LOST) - For A Voice Like Thunder

Kathir (Rudra) - देवदेवं (Devadevam)