ROTTING CHRIST – Aealo CD
Season of Mist Records
This Greek band might have strayed from the path that their debut full length and black metal essential, Thy Mighty Contract from 1993, paved but since then they have some how kept things interesting to say the least. I have a few of their other releases and with the exception of 2007’s Theogania I was never impressed that much after the fact. In other words they collect dust but Aealo has this spark about it. When it comes to reinvention ROTTING CHRIST are at the front of that line. Remember they were very gothic sounding for a little while and now this new one finds them really delving into a more folk metal fixation with melodic death metal overtones. Overall Aealo has aspects that span this band’s career which is appealing in a whatafuck kind of way.
Alot of the music on Aealo reminds me of a more blackened ELUVEITIE with female choir backing vocals. In fact the ladies, they’re named the PLIADES, are featured on many tracks along with ROTTING CHRIST’s almost militaristic or tribal musical sound. These Greeks are now sailing in northern European waters like Vikings dining on souflaki. You listen to a song like “Noctis Era” and figure that ROTTING CHRIST could easily be on the same bill with TYR at Paganfest. It’s actually a great cut along with “Fire Death and Fear”. Some other cuts bring out the tribal goth, “Thou Art Lord”, which features guest vocals by Nemetheana of PRIMORDIAL. “Pir Therontai” is more tribal industrial with Magus of Greek black metaller’s NECROMANTIA. Both cuts could fit into any goth vamp’s playlist from hell or Hot Topic.
All in all I found Aealo to be an decent listen as far as pushing the limits of this genre daring band. Sakis’s vocals are at prime gruff and growl. Guitarist Giorgos Bokos has added so much intricacy with his expanding lead work ever since he joined in 2005. If there were a down point I’d say it’s with the drumming. Themis Tolis sounds as if he has taken a back seat to a drum machine at times. The final cut on here is not so desirable either and a gothic waste of eight minutes.
www.seasonofmist.com
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