Rotting Christ has been making music in some way, shape or form since 1987. 1987, I was turning one that year. Some of you may not have even been born yet. Crazy isn’t it? Since the incarnation, the Tolis brothers have been the only consistent. Themis on drums and Sakis on vocals and guitar (bass as well for recording, they use touring live musicians on the road). So when time came to write the follow-up to 2010’s Aealo, brother Sakis did soul searching to really lay it all on the line. And as a result we are presented with Kata Ton Daimona Eaytoy (in English it is translated to “Do What Thou Wilt”, a phrase of Aleister Crowley fame.). You want to know what nearly 30 years of Greek domination sounds like? Let me tell you.
‘In Yumen – Xibalba’ opens this ritual as a slow sacrifice, chants, standard tempo guitars, and vocals being sung/chanted in a language I do not understand. At first it was off putting, but after a few listens it really wasn’t an issue. I found everything fit together well enough that it crossed vocal limitations for me. Anyway, after chants be done, a solo guitar riff preps us for blast beats and evil. Yes, blast beats and evil. Standing behind that is a wall of great chants and echoes if you listen close enough. Minor orchestrations as well, an opener of epic proportions.
The series of tracks ‘Grandis Spiritus Diavolos’, ‘Kataton Demona Eaftou’ and ‘Cine Iubeste Si Lasa’ really flowed well and stood out in my mind. They were the three tracks I went to the most. The first being a prep for war, shields and swords are being sheathed. ‘Kata Ton…’ being the ride into battle. Limbs torn, bodies flayed, bodies decapitated, all while the King yelled his orders and oversaw the blood bath. Drums keeping the pace of horses, guitars the heartbeat of warriors and the choir the spirit of the slaying. ‘Cine Iubeste Si Lasa’ is what’s left of the battle. A piano accompanying a soprano (I’m probably wrong) vocal performance full of mourn, but strength. No soldier lost without a reason. Eventually the band kicks in and the troops left standing continue their travels. One fight behind them, cleaning the blood from their weapons and armor, they keep forward.
The rest of the album continues its ups and downs until the final two songs, ‘Ahura Mazda Anra Mainiuu’ and ‘Χ Ξ Σ (666)’. ‘Ahura...’ is the final battle cry, taking over the kingdom, paving a path for a new reign. A dark King wishes his throne, and his warriors are gaining every inch of ground they can grasp. No stopping these wild men, not with a soundtrack like this.. This war is and was, theirs in the first place. They just wanted to get their armor broken in…a little blood on their blades. ‘Χ Ξ Σ’ has the king taking his new throne. Marching riffs and drums leading a ceremony of victory and darkness; the dark lord now looks over the land he now calls his own.
In the distance the drums ech(((o))), and the king now tells his men to prepare for battle. And Rotting Christ will be there, ready and waiting, a new anthem of mayhem in their souls. Be sure to go out and grab this album from Season of Mist, once you’ve wiped the blood off your boots...
HAIL!!!!!!! HAIL!!!!!! HAIL!!!!!!!!
