Rotting Christ – Pro Xristou
Reviewed By: Georgina Strilakos
Review Score: 9.5
Welcome to our brand new feature, Dueling Reviews, where we have two writers from The Metal Pit review the same album. The purpose of this feature is to give our readers as much opinion and information as possible, whether those opinions be opposing or unanimous.
In our first installment, our longtime contributors, Georgina and Jason, go head-to-head over the brand new Rotting Christ album, Pro Xristrou! Will they align on the titanic sounds of this legendary Greek band, or will they oppose? Read Georgina’s review below and head HERE to read Jason’s.
Rotting Christ recently announced a new studio work titled Pro Xristou, a highly anticipated return to the scene for the band. Out on May 24th via Season Of Mist, this release is going to feature 12 songs, including two final bonus tracks to wrap up the set list.
The album was produced by Sakis Tolis at Deva Sounds Studios in Athens, Greece. The mix was curated by Jens Bogren, a true contemporary legend in the heavy music world, and the mastering was done by Tony Lidgren, who helped put the finishing touches on a very punchy and tight album. This record offers a very interesting insight into the evolution of the band’s sound. Rotting Christ’s signature blackened metal has definitely acquired a different aura, shifting significantly over the years, in order to embrace a more melodic style with goth-rock and dark overtones. This makes for a more textural and cinematic take on the music, which feels as diverse and as expansive as ever.
The album is indeed a great opportunity for the band to dive deeper into sound design elements that help build not only the song arrangements, but also the atmospherics at the core of the album’s aesthetic. At the same time, the band hasn’t forsake its metal roots. The track ‘The Apostate’ is one of the highlights of the album, and it perfectly showcases its dynamic range and intensity. On one hand, the track is driven by a vicious guitar riff and super upfront drums. On the other, the chanting sections add a very ethereal aura to the song.
Musically, there is room for many ideas. The song ‘Pix Lax Dax’ for instance, is a great example of how the band set out to explore the creative potential of tempo changes. Overall, it seems that the album really was an opportunity for the band to explore different ideas within the scope of such an ambitious, but definitely well-tailored studio album. While some fans are already stating that this album is one of the band’s most diverse offerings to date, it’s still worth noting how it’s not a complete departure from Rotting Christ’s original sound and vision.
Fervently exploring its anti-Christian themes, the album stays true to the band’s philosophy in a very uncompromising way, perhaps even more than before, especially considering that the broader sound also allows the band’s message to reach even further. Excellent release. Make sure you check them out LIVE on their 2024 tour!
Pro Xristou is available on May 24th, 2024 via Seasons Of Mist.