Προ Χριστού

Rotting Christ - “ Προ Χριστού” (2024)

Rotting Christ
“ΠΡΟ ΧΡΙΣΤΟU” (Pro Xristou)

Origin: Athens, Greece

Genre: Black Metal

Label: Season of Mist

The almighty Rotting Christ! Restful and austere upon their Olympian plateau - enthroned and at vantage o’er the entirety of the European black metal scene: elder fathers of the genre, true innovators and stark visionaries this collective has proven to be since their official inception in ‘89. And this practically unreachable status of legend has presented itself throughout the decades in the form of genre-spanning/crossing records like their debut, “Thy Mighty Contract”, ‘97’s “A Dead Poem” and on through the ritualistic exploration of “Κατά τον δαίμονα του εαυτού” and “Rituals”, on and through finally to the philosophical triumph, 2019’s “The Heretics”. A literal universe of music to discover within these profound volumes of romantic Satanism, philosophy, ritual, mysticism and intercultural exploration. Ancient times! Forbidden practices and all things Pagan and diabolical to uncover. Now, we stand but a month away from the release of Rotting Christ’s highly-anticipated, brand new LP, “Pro Xristou” that’s scheduled to drop on May 24 via Season of Mist. Is everybody in? The ceremony is about to begin…

I tried my best to enter into “Pro Xristou” with no expectations after being less-than-wowed by previously released album cuts: “Like Father, Like Son” and “Saorise”, but having now experienced the majestic “The Apostate” and the ear candy melodicism of “The Sixth Day”, any previous inclinations have now been banished as I sit taken aback by the unbridled epic of it all. This is more like it! Powerful! Divine, majestic and spellbinding; a more-than-worthy follow-up to “The Heretics” thus far…

A world-class lineup, a full choir, a duo of narrators along with a number of guest musicians to include one captivating vocals contribution to “La Lettera Del Diavolo” by Amdroniki Skoula, can all be attributed to the overwhelmingly powerful nature of this album. Those towering cadences and those chugging riffs lined with such an eloquent touch of melody - definitive Rotting Christ material. Grande and theatrical in celebration of true Hellenic BM is the aforementioned “La Lettera Del Diavolo”. A revisiting of “Rituals” era ceremonialism and coursing with concentrated adversarial energy. Tolis and Skoula in the throes of trance it seems as they alternate with such passion and with such a cathartic connection to the music…

“This Is the way the world ends, not with a bang, but with a whimper…”

So, onward and deeper-still into what has been a genre-dominating record. “Pretty World, Pretty Dies” like an anthem for the end of days as it unfolds to the sound of authoritative choruses, epic leads and a richly cinematic atmosphere. And it’s to the sound of iron striking iron on rain-drenched fields of battle that you transition over to “Yggdrasil” - a chorales-dominated epic and the product of sheer imagination. Welcoming in every godlike chant and absorbing them deep into the reward center - a dopamine rush of a track.

The greatest are back… Expect Gladiator, Troy and 300 levels of epic. Prepare for black metal of the most satisfying variety: so rich and so delightfully uncomplicated. Rotting Christ have once again transcended the established genre status-quo with yet another gem of a recording. Can you even really call it black metal? Fucking A right you can. It just happens to be light years ahead of the curve yet steeped in tradition as always; a coveted balance indeed. I would dare say that this sounds like RC’s finest lineup to date and I thoroughly enjoyed this newfound emphasis on bass that contributed to the album feeling that much more empirical.

There was much of the past to also take in. Throughout the entirety of “Pro Xristou”, you’ll be transported back to albums like “Rituals”, Aeolo”, “Triarchy of the Lost Lovers” and “Non Serviam”. A well-concocted cocktail of contemporary RC and olde legend stuff. Just Rotting Christ being themselves here and what an organic vibe to all of it. A celebration! A triumph… Rotting Christ and “Pro Xristou”: one legendary band, one profound black metal album. Let the fanfare begin! Let the tours be scheduled and may the hordes be not restless, but excited for this one.


Experience “Like Father, Like Son” and “Saorise” from “Pro Xristou” right here as presented by Rotting Christ TV:

https://youtu.be/Y9mBomOM-rQ?si=7ol21Yw66JFO8dyY

https://youtu.be/ORI2fmbHzfg?si=jgmhhUm0muQbGVWM

~Jeger