Review by Kostas on September 9, 2023.

It is a fact. After 32 years, countless releases and live shows, Rotting Christ release their thirteenth full-lenghth album, The Heretics. A continuation to the obscure Rituals and admittedly a record I wasn't sure what to expect from. Many people bear mixed feelings about this band. Old school fans are disappointed, others are excited for the new music and so on. I'll try to be objective and write a review about the music only.

It is obvious from the very start that there are going to be many symphonic elements in this album. The gregorian chants and multiple vocal styles help build an awesome atmosphere which is present throughout the record. It is not exactly dark. I'd say rather sinister. A mix of awe and glory, definitely the outcome of the aforementioned vocal influences combined with the classic Rotting Christ riffs. These riffs are dynamic, clever and catchy. And they actually work as the power plant of The Heretics, providing the rest of the music with energy and aggression and evolving all the musical compositions to the next level. It is really a pity that drumming and most bass lines are once again rather boring, preventing one more record from standing out as a gem.

Although no gem, The Heretics is still a very good album. We could say it is a combination of everything good about Rotting Christ. There are the great old guitar rifts, the incredible solos, Sakis' extreme vocals... and of course numerous legendary quotes from the big heretics of the past. Well, to be honest, I think they overdid it with the quotes in this one. There is just too much talking in The Heretics. But anyway, there is nothing new, really. Besides some female vocals in 'Ветры злые', everything else is something you have heard in a past release by the band. From the gothic melodies of 'Sleep Of The Angels' to the battle hymns of 'Aealo', I could spot elements from every single album of Rotting Christ. Do you really want to know what this record sounds like? Imagine all these past styles, combined with some rather uninspired simplistic lyrics and many chants. This is what The Heretics sounds llike.

I know, that's not bad for many metalheads out there. I actually caught myself enjoying most of the tracks as well. This is catchy, quality music for sure, at least to an extent. However, I'd love to hear more and I know this band can achieve more than recycling themselves over and over. Adding some symphonies is unfortunately not enough to create a new album. In the end, I'm glad this album is well-written and I'm pretty sure many people who don't know the band will find it very enjoyable. But I also know it could be much more than just enjoyable.

Rating: 7.7 out of 10

Review by Kostas on September 9, 2023.

It is a fact. After 32 years, countless releases and live shows, Rotting Christ release their thirteenth full-lenghth album, The Heretics. A continuation to the obscure Rituals and admittedly a record I wasn't sure what to expect from. Many people bear mixed feelings about this band. Old school fans are disappointed, others are excited for the new music and so on. I'll try to be objective and write a review about the music only.

It is obvious from the very start that there are going to be many symphonic elements in this album. The gregorian chants and multiple vocal styles help build an awesome atmosphere which is present throughout the record. It is not exactly dark. I'd say rather sinister. A mix of awe and glory, definitely the outcome of the aforementioned vocal influences combined with the classic Rotting Christ riffs. These riffs are dynamic, clever and catchy. And they actually work as the power plant of The Heretics, providing the rest of the music with energy and aggression and evolving all the musical compositions to the next level. It is really a pity that drumming and most bass lines are once again rather boring, preventing one more record from standing out as a gem.

Although no gem, The Heretics is still a very good album. We could say it is a combination of everything good about Rotting Christ. There are the great old guitar rifts, the incredible solos, Sakis' extreme vocals... and of course numerous legendary quotes from the big heretics of the past. Well, to be honest, I think they overdid it with the quotes in this one. There is just too much talking in The Heretics. But anyway, there is nothing new, really. Besides some female vocals in 'Ветры злые', everything else is something you have heard in a past release by the band. From the gothic melodies of 'Sleep Of The Angels' to the battle hymns of 'Aealo', I could spot elements from every single album of Rotting Christ. Do you really want to know what this record sounds like? Imagine all these past styles, combined with some rather uninspired simplistic lyrics and many chants. This is what The Heretics sounds llike.

I know, that's not bad for many metalheads out there. I actually caught myself enjoying most of the tracks as well. This is catchy, quality music for sure, at least to an extent. However, I'd love to hear more and I know this band can achieve more than recycling themselves over and over. Adding some symphonies is unfortunately not enough to create a new album. In the end, I'm glad this album is well-written and I'm pretty sure many people who don't know the band will find it very enjoyable. But I also know it could be much more than just enjoyable.

Rating: 7.7 out of 10

Review by Kostas on September 9, 2023.

It is a fact. After 32 years, countless releases and live shows, Rotting Christ release their thirteenth full-lenghth album, The Heretics. A continuation to the obscure Rituals and admittedly a record I wasn't sure what to expect from. Many people bear mixed feelings about this band. Old school fans are disappointed, others are excited for the new music and so on. I'll try to be objective and write a review about the music only.

It is obvious from the very start that there are going to be many symphonic elements in this album. The gregorian chants and multiple vocal styles help build an awesome atmosphere which is present throughout the record. It is not exactly dark. I'd say rather sinister. A mix of awe and glory, definitely the outcome of the aforementioned vocal influences combined with the classic Rotting Christ riffs. These riffs are dynamic, clever and catchy. And they actually work as the power plant of The Heretics, providing the rest of the music with energy and aggression and evolving all the musical compositions to the next level. It is really a pity that drumming and most bass lines are once again rather boring, preventing one more record from standing out as a gem.

Although no gem, The Heretics is still a very good album. We could say it is a combination of everything good about Rotting Christ. There are the great old guitar rifts, the incredible solos, Sakis' extreme vocals... and of course numerous legendary quotes from the big heretics of the past. Well, to be honest, I think they overdid it with the quotes in this one. There is just too much talking in The Heretics. But anyway, there is nothing new, really. Besides some female vocals in 'Ветры злые', everything else is something you have heard in a past release by the band. From the gothic melodies of 'Sleep Of The Angels' to the battle hymns of 'Aealo', I could spot elements from every single album of Rotting Christ. Do you really want to know what this record sounds like? Imagine all these past styles, combined with some rather uninspired simplistic lyrics and many chants. This is what The Heretics sounds llike.

I know, that's not bad for many metalheads out there. I actually caught myself enjoying most of the tracks as well. This is catchy, quality music for sure, at least to an extent. However, I'd love to hear more and I know this band can achieve more than recycling themselves over and over. Adding some symphonies is unfortunately not enough to create a new album. In the end, I'm glad this album is well-written and I'm pretty sure many people who don't know the band will find it very enjoyable. But I also know it could be much more than just enjoyable.

Rating: 7.7 out of 10

Review by Kostas on July 28, 2023.

With Rotting Christ having played from grindcore to atmosphetic gothic metal, I bet no one was sure about what to expect after the experimental Sanctus Diavolos. Apparently, the band decided to follow an aggressive melodic death metal path. Of course, they included many other elements in as well and as an outcome of musical maturity, Theogonia proved to be one of Rotting Christ's best releases ever.

This is an album that makes you want to headbang from the very first minute. The vocals of Sakis have gained much depth and his vocal strenghth, together with the insane rifts and solos create a very solid, primitive and enjoyable sound. All the songs bear a fighting aura and songwriting is very clever, despite the repetitions in several rifts. Of course, it is the folk elements and some non-english lyrics that grant this record its exotic identity and make the listener travel to foreign cultures through the music. Especially in songs like 'Threnody' or 'Nemecic', where images of ancient forgotten cities and oriental tales are brought to mind. Meanwhile, we need to mention that Themis finally seems to have become a good drummer, with drum lines offering a powerful background rhythm to every song.

So, everything sounds good, you'll think. Well, no matter how much I love Theogonia, I have to talk about its downside as well. The problem with this album is that many songs sound similar and at times it gets tiring. Yes, the lyrics are very well-written and the traditional instruments work as a bonus. But, musically talking, everything is literally so fast and energetic, I really felt it needed one or two slower or maybe more subtle songs. Maybe an interlude? This, of course, may be no big deal to anyone who wants to mosh 'till death, but what I am saying is this record lacks some variety.

Don't get me wrong, Theogonia is an amazing album which combines high quality extreme metal with myths, ancient stories and traditional influences here and there. In addition, mixing and mastering are better than ever this time and contribute to a crystallic and even stunning sound. Definitely a highlight of Rotting Christ's discography, but also a record that could get over 90% if it was composed based on more ideas. Plus I have to complain about the lame cover artwork once again.

Rating: 8.5 out of 10

Review by Tomek on March 11, 2007.

Rotting Christ is not a band that I really paid attention to, but their newest creation "Theogonia" has definitely and irrevocably changed my opinion about them. After the very first time I listened to this album, I knew right away that it will stay in my CD player for a longer period of time.

Throughout the whole album, the creativity and complexity of music kept me on the edge of my seat. All of the songs on "Theogonia" have something in common, yet each and every piece has its own character, and each of them leaves a permanent imprint in your mind. The raw clarity of guitars and deep bass are intertwined with Sakis' raspy growls and occasionally spoken word passages. In the midst of all that lingers a middle-eastern atmosphere created by the use of synths, choirs and haunting guitar solos. The addition of George Bokos (guitar) has definitely modified the sound, allowing guitars to become more audible and gave them the 'up-front' effect and more distinctive harmony. The drummer has outdone himself; drumming is very fast, articulate and really adds to the overall spirit of the album, creating almost a tribal vibe. Overall production and mixing exceed my highest expectations - all of the instruments are equally audible, giving you a chance to discover something new and exciting every time you listen to it.

"Theogonia" is definitely my Album of the Month at this moment, but the more I listen to it, the more I like it, and it's becoming a serious contender to become the Album of the Year. Don't just take my word for it - go out and get it - it's worth the money.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 9
Atmosphere: 9
Originality: 9
Production: 9
Overall: 9

Rating: 9 out of 10