ROTTING CHRIST
Calling on history’s most enlightened thinkers, the Greeks delivered their most grandiose album in 30 years
If there’s a positive side to the complex end times the world’s hurtling towards, it’s that the circumstances can result in great metal. Rotting Christ’s 13th album, which took its inspiration from some of history’s most notable intellectual renegades, not only proved to be one of the most exhilarating heavy releases of the year, but a timely one. It celebrated figures such as Thomas Paine, Friedrich Nietzsche and Voltaire, whose views stood in defiance of contemporary norms.
“It’s more topical than ever!” barks frontman Sakis Tolis on the subject matter of the grandiose The Heretics. “We have the feeling that we are currently living in the free world, but things are quite different I’m afraid. History makes circles and we are currently living in a middle ages, and those big words that were mentioned once from some really important individuals can give us a good lesson nowadays.”
If a busy schedule is a mark of success, then 2019 has been an outstanding achievement for Rotting Christ. They’ve ridden the goodwill shown to their album by touring relentlessly and introducing new adherents to an astonishing catalogue, built up since the band’s formation in 1987.
“It was maybe the busiest year of our career”, remarks Sakis. “Now if it was successful, I do not know. I care more to keep being strong and always ready to give everything on the road. Maybe in early 2020, when we will calm down, I will have an idea if it was successful! The feedback was great, though, so this is the reason we keep on touring all around the world.”
The praise and bigger exposure is the least the band deserve. While some of their peers’ output has become less potent over time, Rotting Christ’s riveting continued evolution – particularly since 2007’s Theogonia – has been thrilling to behold, with their latest collection the latest victory in a genuinely triumphant campaign. How the band’s music continues to get more enthralling is an enigma in itself, and in his humble assessment Sakis is equally perplexed as to the secret formula he’s struck upon.
“Socrates once said, ‘I know that I know nothing!’” he smiles. “I just follow my instinct and I am giving the best during the composition process. I think that I’m a person that always tries to evolve, and this reflects in the music of the band. If I ever feel that I have no more inspiration then maybe I will be too old for this.”
The fearless Greeks show no signs of slowing down, continuing to push ever slowly through the underground’s glass ceiling. And given a band 13 albums and 32 years in is getting better, there’s no reason to let up on the acceleration, despite the body’s objection.
“We do not get old spiritually! Biologically, yes of course. We feel that every day when I am on tour, but spiritually no, and that gives us power to go on!” Sakis states defiantly. “The mission is going on, until the end! Non Serviam!”
“WE ARE LIVING IN A MIDDLE AGES”