Sanctus Diavolos

Rotting Christ | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 2, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Century Media
• ASIN: B000654YM4
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #287,976 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #100 in Music > World Music > Europe > Continental Europe > Greece

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A solid, progressive effort, February 9, 2005

By 

Bryan Bugaj (California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sanctus Diavolos (Audio CD)

I was eagerly awaiting the arrival of this album, and at the same time curious to see what effects on the band's sound the departures of George(Keyboards) and Kostas(Guitars) would have. The band is now a three-piece, with Frontman, founder, and Metal God Sakis now manning the keyboards in addition to excelling on guitars and vocals. This album is unique in that the choral pieces are now provided by a live choir as opposed to samples, and this delivers a much more visceral impact. Overall, this album has many more Gothic touches than Khronos or Genesis, and it is replete with tempo changes and melodic bridges over the framework of hell-raising black metal. As usual, Andreas(Bass) and Themis(Drums) do a stellar job of providing bone-jarring rhythms and ear-punishing beats. The guitars range from tight, speedy riffs to slower, more melodic pieces, although the dual-guitar harmonies are fewer than on the previous two releases. Sakis' vocals are more varied, ranging from his trademark black-metal screech to semi-clean "doom" vocals to an eerie whisper. This album really presents a nice cross-section of the band's history and progressions: The hard-hitting guitar frenzy of "Thy Mighty Contract", the beautiful midpaced melody of "Triarchy of the Lost Lovers", the moody Gothic touches of "A Dead Poem", and the industrial-tinged agression of the "Khronos" and "Genesis" period. However, even though all of these elements can be distinguished within this release, they are all also seamlessly melded together into a new beast that progresses into new dimensions while at the same time keeps itself firmly rooted in its origins. This is a complex, multi-layered record that definitely benefits from repeated listenings. From the brute-force bludgeonings of "Serve in Heaven" and "Visions of a Blind Order" to the more subtle mid-paced simmer of "Athanati Este" to the punctuated fury of "Tyrranical", to the haunting chorals of the title track, this is an exemplary recording from one of the world's finest atmospheric metal bands at the top of their game. You won't be sorry if you pick this one up.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars They did it again!!!!, December 29, 2004

By 

Nicholas P. Zaworski "nicholas" (Minneapolis) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sanctus Diavolos (Audio CD)

Well, for those who love this band, I don't need to say anything. These Greeks are LEGEND. I said LEGEND. I don't review a band unless they are (in my mind) great. I fully endorse RC.
The vocals by Sakis(also guitars) are great. A man who "gets" black metal vocals. They are at the same time somewhat monotonous (in a good way!) and at the same time THEY JUST FIT PERFECTLY!!! They are basic, evil, and true to the music. No frills, plenty of chills, and never boring.
If Sakis were only a singer, I might complain after ten years worth of albums, but it is his guitar that speaks to me. Yes, his guitar. Some songs are more black metal, some death, and all are fused with a gothic vibe that shouldn't work, but always does when these guys do it.
The drum and bass are, as they have been for a decade, ROCK SOLID. This is one of the tightest units in metal. Scratch that, in any genre of music. And getting back to vocals, please don't think they are sub-par, they are very good. They fit and make up part of this band's trademark sound. One complaint I have heard is the lyrics. (Satanic etc..) While this albums lyrics to me are more mature than on other albums, I never really gave a damn anyway. It is the TONE and DELIVERY, the ENERGY that matters to me and Sakis has always delivered. But personally, people who shun Satanic lyrics should probably avoid bands called ROTTING CHRIST, what do you think???
If you are new to this band, I recommend starting with "Thy Mighty Contract" and working your way up to this last album. I always think thats the way to "Discover" a new band. But, being that we're talking about R.C., any album is likely to impress you. However, I have listened to these guys from the beginning and have watched them progress for over a decade and thought I had seen it all with this band. This album blew me away. It is one of their finest moments, truly. But please, to get that feeling, start with the early stuff and see how a great band gets from point A to point B.
Enjoy this music at high decibals and witness a truly great band hitting their stride.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sanctus Diavolos-Greek for butt-kicking, November 16, 2006

By 

king beagley "metal maven" (warsaw, in usa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sanctus Diavolos (Audio CD)

Rotting Christ is a unique black metal band. they incorporate melody into their sound. three other BM bands that are melodic that come to mind are Dimmu Borgir, Borknagar, and Kovenant, but this is about Rotting Christ. they have a photo in this album that isn't corny like many black metal bands have been accused of. they are one of several black metal bands that associate themselves with culture in addition to speedy riffs. I thoroughly enjoyed this album and I hope to hear more from them.