Just like fellow Greek bands Septicflesh and Acherontas, ROTTING CHRIST have decided to leave any idea of black metal conservatism behind and instead go for the more experimental and open-minded sound, adding more and more elements to their occult concept.

 

In a way, 'Rituals' is like a Discovery Channel TV series – a journey through the Middle East, Greece, India and the misty Albion in search of humanity's most obscure rituals in praise of a miriad of pagan gods and the bringer of light Lucifer himself. The sound is polished perfectly with the vocals and rhythm section taking the lead role instead of the guitars.

 

Main influences include Vangelis and Demis Roussos ('The Four Horsemen' uses a sample off of Aphrodite's Child track bearing the same name), William Blake ('For A Voice Like Thunder' is almost entirely based on his prologue for 'King Edward the Fourth'), Charles Baudelaire (in 'Les Litanies de Satan' obviously) and the ancient Arameic language spoken around the time of Christ himself (listen to it in 'Ze Nigmar').

As a whole 'Rituals' is so mighty and multicultural that could easily serve as a treat to fans of such diverse bands as Septicflesh and Dead Can Dance.

 

One can even say that ROTTING CHRIST have overdone themselves, making an overtly ambitous record that hangs so staggeringly immense over you that hardly gives you trhe space to enjoy it. 'Rituals' is so multilayered and dense that actually lacks highlits as well as real metal tracks.

 

Still, it is an easily enjoyable record that we could hardly wait to hear live in a couple of months.