ROTTING CHRIST “Rituals” /CD/

Re-release of the debut full-length album by the cult Greek Melodic Black Metal band.
After recording a handful of demos and releasing 1991's "Passage To Arcturo" EP in their native Greece, Rotting Christ launched their international career with a promising first long-player "Thy Mighty Contract".
The album's production may have been somewhat subpar, and its songs slightly over-reliant on furious blastbeats, but none of this mattered a lick to hardcore Extreme Metal fans, which happily gorged on such tasty Black Metal entrails as "The Sign of Evil Existence" and "The Coronation of the Serpent". After all, even at the start of their storied career, Rotting Christ already showed a budding flair for melody on odes of sublime terror like "Transform All Suffering into Plagues", "Exiled Archangels" and "The Fourth Knight of Revelation". All told, these songs made a lasting first impression for Rotting Christ on the world stage, and the band would waste no time taking their dark, gloriously deviant art to dizzying new heights with their very next efforts.
While not being too brutal, it's still their fastest and most furious album to date. This album captures the energy of early Rotting Christ, while still showcasing enough melody and atmosphere to make it stand out as an excellent album. Each song is an enjoyment in itself, and the album as a whole is a wonderful experience! It certainly is a real gem!!
Originally released in late 1993 by Osmose Productions, the album was re-released by Century Black (Century Media) in 1997 with “Apokathelosis” EP as a bonus.
Century Media Records/Raven Music, 1993/1997/2013. Made in Israel.


Tracklist:
1. The Sign Of Evil Existence 2:00
2. Transform All Suffering Into Plagues 5:25
3. Fgmenth, The Gift 4:29
4. Dive The Deepest Abyss 5:50
5. Exiled Archangels 5:07
6. His Sleeping Majesty 3:33
7. The Coronation Of The Serpent 4:06
8. The Fourth Knight Of Revelation 6:49
Bonus Tracks:
9. Visions Of The Dead Lovers 4:45
10. The Mystical Meeting 5:03
Total playing time: 47:07


Samples: http://www.last.fm

Second re-release of the debut EP and second full-length album in one Set by the cult Greek Black/Death Metal band.
Here they are! Death Metal legends Rotting Christ’s mythical early recordings are at last re-released together, in a double CD Set packed with extras!!
Initially released in 1991, the band’s first mini-LP “Passage To Arcturo” set the elements that would characterize Rotting Christ's personal style in the years to come as well as that occult spirit which is reminiscent of their first recordings.
“Non Serviam” (1994) has a characteristic sound of the Storm studio (which was essentially the band's private studio) that marked the whole Greek scene and established the band as one of the most acclaimed Death Metal acts worldwide.
Enhanced 2CD Set includes 3 bonus tracks (two of them taken from the 1992 7" EP "Dawn Of The Iconoclast" - this is its first time on CD!! - and one from the 1989 demo "Satanas Te Deum") and 3 live videos: “Morality of a Dark Age”, “Feast of the Grand Whore” (both recorded live in Mexico, 1994) and “Non Serviam” (recorded live in Greece, 2002).
Total musthave for all fans of genre!!
Season Of Mist, 1991/1994/2006 (SOM 124). Made in France. Pressed in Austria.


Tracklist:

CD 1 (PASSAGE TO ARCTURO):
1. Old Coffin Spirit     4:53 
2. Forest Of N'gai     5:52 
3. The Mystical Meeting     4:36 
4. Gloria De Domino Inferno     1:37 
5. Inside The Eye Of Algond     5:57      
Bonus Tracks:
6. The Nereid Of Esgalduin     3:52 
7. Vicious Joy & Black Delight     4:32     
8. Feast Of The Grand Whore     3:15

CD 2 (NON SERVIAM):
1. The Fifth Illusion     5:34 
2. Wolfera The Jackal     7:19 
3. Non Serviam     5:20 
4. Morality Of A Dark Age     5:08 
5. Where Mortals Have No Pride     7:54 
6. Fethroesforia     1:43 
7. Mephesis Of Black Crystal     5:29 
8. Ice Shaped God     4:00 
9. Saturn Unlock Avey's Son     6:25

Total playing time: 83:26


Samples:  http://rottingchrist.bandcamp.com

Ninth full-length album by the cult Greek Extreme/Black Metal band.
For a band whose name alone should have spelled a short and furtive career, Rotting Christ have certainly defied the odds, and their ninth studio album actually finds Greece's esteemed Metal institution approaching the conclusion of their second full decade of existence. What's more, all around bandleader, vocalist, and guitarist Sakis Tolis has continually uncovered new means to express his ever-evolving creativity over the years, while somehow managing to hang on to Rotting Christ's savage Black/Death Metal roots. Having said that, "Theogonia" gets underway in much the same fashion as its immediate predecessors: with a pair of explosive, blastbeat-driven Black Metal assaults called "The Sign of Prime Creation" and "Keravnos Kivernitos"; but except for the equally speedy tandem of "Rege Diabolicus" and "Helios Hyperion," a little later on, such breakneck behavior is neither the band's preference, nor their strongest suit. Rather, Rotting Christ have become the (virtually) undisputed masters of midtempo Extreme Metal marches, which Sakis effortlessly augments with untold layers of sublime guitar harmonies and atmospheric synthesizers. On "Theogonia", this winning template produces some of his finest creations since 1996's watershed "Triarchy Of The Lost Lovers", including the stunning "Phobos' Synagogue", "Gaia Tellus" and "He, the Aethyr." The band is clearly also bent on exploring their Hellenic heritage like never before, with many subjects and lyrics sung in their native tongue, not to mention evident appropriations of Greek Folk music scales for the likes of "Nemecic" and stupendous closer "Threnody." Along the way, Rotting Christ also find some time to visit ancient Sumer with "Enuma Elish," which, uniquely for this album, flirts with a rigid, quasi-Industrial aesthetic before unleashing one of the album's most musical and emotionally cathartic highlights. 
"Theogonia" (in Greek "Birth of the gods") is their first release through Season of Mist, and the first to feature guitarist Giorgos Bokos (Nightfall) in the line-up.
In 2007, Theogonia obtained the Metal Storm award for the Best Black Metal Album of the Year. "Theogonia" is pretty much all killer, no filler, and secures its position alongside Rotting Christ's, and indeed Extreme Metal's best albums!!
Enhanced CD includes music video for the song "Keravnos Kivernitos".
Season Of Mist, 2007 (SOM 171). Made in France. Pressed in Austria. First press.


Tracklist:
1. Xaoeteneto (The Sign Of Prime Creation)     3:20 
2. Keravnos Kivernitos     4:41 
3. Nemecic     4:15 
4. Enuma Elish     4:39 
5. Phobos´ Synagogue     4:31 
6. Gaia Tellus     4:39 
7. Rege Diabolicus     2:52 
8. He, The Aethyr     4:34 
9. Helios Hyperion     3:50 
10. Threnody     5:21
Total playing time: 42:42

The eleventh full-length studio album by legendary Greek Extreme Metal band.
With this album, Rotting Christ climb another step on their steep career ladder. The legendary Greek band created a stunning sequel to the highly acclaimed "Theogonia" (2007) and "Aealo" (2010) albums.
Rotting Christ frontman, Sakis Tolis, considered the album "a journey into the knowledge of ancient civilizations and into the occultism that is rising from the dark side of each one of them".
The Greek phrase "Κατά τον δαίμονα εαυτού" may be translated in several ways, including as "do what thou wilt", a quote associated with Aleister Crowley and Thelema. Sakis Tolis contended that this was the label's translation of the Greek phrase, and a more accurate translation is "true to your own spirit", which better fits the subject matter of the album.
The album incorporates diverse instrumentation, including bagpipes and horns, and delves into Incan, Persian, Babylonian, Mayan, Romanian, Slavic, and Greek mythology. The band clearly confirm their very own sound, which they skillfully vary with female vocals, piano, bagpipes, horns and by other means. Their confident songwriting displays a maturity and perfection born out of long years of composing. By delving deep into ancient poetry, tales of spirits and beliefs, Rotting Christ evoke a fascinating mystical atmosphere.
Season Of Mist, 2013 (SOM 282). Made in France. Pressed in Poland. First press.


Tracklist:
1. In Yumen-Xibalba 6:24
2. P'unchaw Kachun-Tuta Kachun 4:44
3. Grandis Spiritus Diavolos 5:52
4. Κατά Τον Δαίμονα Του Ἐαυτοὗ (Kata Ton Demona Eaftou) 4:52
5. Cine Iubeşte Şi Lasă 5:58
6. Iwa Voodoo 4:36
7. Gilgameš 4:02
8. Русалка (Rusalka) 4:33
9. Ahura Mazdā-Aŋra Mainiuu 4:44
10. Χ Ξ Σ' (666) 5:46
Total playing time: 51:55 min.

The third European re-release of the first mini-album by legendary Greek Black/Death Metal band.
In 1991, Rotting Christ planted the seeds to their legacy with the release of their first ever release, which gained them more exposure in the Underground. A big dose of early Black Metal with some oldschool Death Metal elements. The offering demonstrates the band's feral infancy as they set forth on their journey to define their sound as we know it today.
Re-release includes three bonus tracks, taken from “Dawn Of The Iconoclast” 7" EP 1992 (tracks 6, 7) and “Satanas Te Deum” demo 1989 (track 8).
For fans of Bathory, Venom, Celtic Frost, early Slayer, Both Thrower, etc.
Season Of Mist, 1993/2022 (SOM 690D). Made in France.


Tracklist:
1. Old Coffin Spirit 4:54
2. Forest Of N'gai 5:52
3. The Mystical Meeting 4:36
4. Gloria De Domino Inferni 1:37
5. Inside The Eye Of Algond 5:57
6. The Nereid Of Esgalduin 3:52
7. Vicious Joy & Black Delight 4:18
8. Feast Of The Grand Whore 3:16
Total playing time: 34:22 min.


Samples: https://rottingchrist.bandcamp.com

The fifth EP by legendary Greek Melodic Black/Death Metal band.
Released with the Legacy Magazine #149 (02/2024), EP features two tracks from the forthcoming "Pro Xristou" album, two Singles from 2020 and 2022, and live track from "Lucifer Over Athens" album.
CD comes without magazine.
Season Of Mist Records/Devil Inc. Presseverlag/Legacy Magazine, 2024 (DEVIL #149). Made in Germany. First press.


Tracklist:
1. Like Father, Like Son 4:35
2. Saoirse 6:17
3. Fire And Flame 3:05
4. Holy Mountain 5:23
5. Athanatoi Este 5:18
Total playing time: 24.49 min.

The second full-length studio album by legendary Greek Black/Death Metal band.
One of the most seminal albums in Black Metal history, "Non Serviam" became the blueprint for the Greeks’ now-iconic sound. The album has a characteristic sound of the Storm studio (which was essentially the band's private studio) that marked the whole Greek scene and established the band as one of the most acclaimed Black/Death Metal acts worldwide. Echoing the raw gritty nature of the band’s contemporaries at the time such as Bathory and Celtic Frost, the organic production, dark passages, and refreshed take on the genre attracted a dedicated and cult following.
This sophomore release saw the Hellenic Black Metal battalion start to evolve and find their identity, ultimately creating their spirited, anthemic brand of Black Metal as we know it today.
Total musthave for all fans of genre!!
Season Of Mist, 1994/2022 (SOM 691D). Made in France. Pressed in Austria.


Tracklist:
1. The Fifth Illusion 5:34 
2. Wolfera The Jackal 7:19 
3. Non Serviam 5:20 
4. Morality Of A Dark Age 5:08 
5. Where Mortals Have No Pride 7:54 
6. Fethroesforia 1:43 
7. Mephesis Of Black Crystal 5:29 
8. Ice Shaped God 4:00 
9. Saturn Unlock Avey's Son 6:25



Samples: https://rottingchrist.bandcamp.com

Compilation of rare songs by legendary Greek Melodic Black/Death Metal band.
Legendary Greek Metal institution Rotting Christ unveils 'The Apocryphal Spells'.
This release pulls together 21 rare Singles: B-sides, Bonus Tracks, alternate versions and covers from the past three decades of their storied career.
It’s a must-have compilation that memorializes the awesome body of work of these Hellenic Black Metal trailblazers.
Track "Demonon Vrosis (Remixed & Remastered)" is listed as the first track on CD2 on backcover, but it's actually the last track on CD1.
Released in nice digipack with silver foil stamping and 16-page booklet.
Season Of Mist, 2023 (SOM 757D). Made in France for the world. Pressed in Austria. First press.


Tracklist:

CD 1
1. Astral Embodiment (Bonus song for "Genesis" Brazilian edition) 05:29
2. Fire And Flame (Special song for "Metal Chapters Book" CD) 03:05
3. I Am The Moonchild (Unreleased song) 02:41
4. Holy Mountain (Special Song for Decibel Magazine Flexi Editions) 05:24
5. The Call (Exclusively released as 7" EP) 05:04
6. Pir Threontai (Remastered; never released before) 04:44
7. Welcome To Hel (Bonus song on "Kata Ton Daimona Eaftoy" album) 04:28
8. Φόβος (Bonus song on "The Heretics" album) 04:13
9. The Sons Of Hell (Bonus song on “The Heretics” album) 04:18
10. Lok’tar Ogar (Bonus song on "Rituals" album) 04:18
11. Demonon Vrosis (Remixed & Remastered; Never released before) 05:01
Running time: 48:45 min.

CD 2
1. Spiritus Sancti (Exclusively released as Split 7" EP with Varathron) 04:51
2. Visions Of The Dead Lovers (Bonus song on "Thy Mighty Contract" album) 04:46
3. I Will Not Serve (Bonus song for band's Best Off album "Their Greatest Spells") 03:56
4. Phobia (Bonus song on "Khronos" album) 05:40
5. Moonlight (Bonus song on "Sleep of the Angels" album) 04:17
6. Naturdemonernas Lockrop: I 1000 Djävlars Namn (Exclusively released as Split 7" EP with Negative Plane) 04:07
7. Viicious Joy And Black Delight (Exclusively released as 7" EP) 04:18
8. Tormentor (Kreator cover; exclusive bonus song on “Triarchy Of The Lost Lovers” album)  02:34
9. Flag Of Hate-Pleasure To Kill (Kreator cover; exclusive bonus song on “Triarchy Of The Lost Lovers” album)  04:10
10. Black Sabbath (Black Sabbath cover; exclusively in Greek Metal Hammer's CD "A Tribute To Black Sabbath" compilation) 06:01
Running time: 44:40 min.

Total playing time: 93:25 min.