Customer Reviews

Sanctus Diavolos

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

After a somewhat mixed bag with "Genesis", Greece' most famous metal band is back with something far more experimental and intriguing, almost a dedication to everything they did since the demo 'Satanus Tedeum' in 1989 when each band member was just 17 years old.

As opposed to the standard genre-keyboard, they have a Live Choir mixed with Industrial/Tape samples. But everything is evened out. Songs like "Tyrannical" and "You My Cross" are intense, and almost have the sonic style of now-defunct but legendary nearbys Septic Flesh. "Serve In Heaven" and "Shades of Evil" have a more old-school German thrashy feel to them; and last but not least, some good brooding and gloomy songs - something the band was always known for - in "Doctrine" and the doom/violin instrumental "Sanctimonius".

This isn't classic RC ("Thy Mighty Contract" stands as their best, if not the best album in Black Metal) but it's still very good. Most European extreme metal groups are either no longer metal or disbanded, and it's a refresh to realize that one of the innovators are sticking to what they've been doing and inspiring for almost 20 years.

4.5 stars. This is one of those fine albums that gets better with more spins, the intricate songwriting and splendid band interplay shining through some dense production that sounds better the louder it is played. This album feels from the very beginnning like a dark sojourn through gothic realms home to unspeakable denizens of evil. For all the darkness there is a fluid mix of sound, courtesy of the now legendary Fredrik Nordstrom, that encompasses everything in a shroud of excellence. There is the occasional moment on this CD that sounds like a retread of former ideas combined, but overall this is yet another solid and highly anticipated release from one of the most reliable and consistent Metal bands in the world. I waited eagerly for over six months for this superb album to grace American shores and I am happy to say it was definately worth the wait. By the time "Serve in Heaven" explodes with a phenomenal lead guitar riff, those not headbanging will surely be slain. As far as comparisons to their other albums...think "Khronos 666" with even more Gothic tendencies and soundscapes. Banish the light and crank your stereo up...for the Greeks have returned!

I've been a fan of Rotting Christ for 3 yrs and own all their cd's. Sanctus Diavolos out does theirlast cd. This cd has a female choir, don't worry, it adds atmosphere to the songs in a good way. Theyadd various sound samples along here and there. All in all, I keep coming back to this cd, a verysatisfying listening experience if you like RottingChrist.

I konw its black metal ...and you like depressive songs. Well i dont. I like Dimmu Borgir and Cradle of Filth and some albums of Rotting Christ like Dead Poem. Well this album is too depressive for what i like. They have some gothic elements and the result is awful. If you want to feel bad listen this album. I wonder what kind of people like the feeling this album cause. I really wonder.

If I had to pick an album to take to a desert island...this could very well be it.

This album is a masterpiece. Different than some of their other stuff but a masterpiece nonetheless. I don't think this album has left the CD changer in my car since I got it. (Shortly after its release.)

I own all of their albums, but this one is probably my fave. It's metal, it's atmospheric, it gets into your head.

Good stuff indeed!

Rotting Christ has evolved into one Helluva solid Black Metal act. After many albums and many more lineup changes Rotting Christ has worked their way into the pantheon of such greats as Satyricon, Emperor and DarkThrone. All the while forging a sound unique to the Greek underground. This album is not as raw as Rotting Christ's older works, nor does it have the slower, more gothic overtones of the records that came immediately before it. Sanctus Diavolos is more of a fusion and maturing of Rotting Christ's old and new sounds. Highly recommended.

Having ignored this band all these years for having softened up their sound big time and turning into an unispired gothic band, I was surprised to hear their latest offering, and liking what I heard. Having been one of the first bands to establish the Greek black metal sound, it seems like these last few years they are simply content in being a dark metal band. This in itself does not limit their musiacl options. Sure, they're still playing the same gothic style of metal, and while this doesn't come close to the greatness of their full length debut Thy mighty contract, this new effort offers a few surprises and some advanced songwriting. No matter what influence they decide to incorporate, like the churh choir-like vocal passages on "Sanctimonous" to the technical implications of "Tyrannical", it all sounds fitting and appropiate. Each track has its own personality, accompanied by extremely demonic disturbances, thanks in part to the warm, discernable production and discerning keyboard moments. I feel there's an audience for records like these. Their efforts in trying to keep themselves fresh are plausible. The desire to advance is there, but their original impetus seems to have faded into obscurity.