Going to see a band called Rotting Christ on a Sunday night seems rather heretical.
This is, of course, kind of the point. It’s also rather fitting as the Greek black metallers are currently touring behind their latest album The Heretics, an album which one might be tempted to brand a concept album if not for the fact that pretty much every Rotting Christ album has dealt with the exact same concept. But hey, it’s a concept that’s been working for them since the late 1980s, so clearly the whole heresy thing is a winning formula.
Arriving at the venue just in time to catch the tail end of UADA’s set, I was surprised at the quick turnaround between acts and I didn’t have to wait too long until Carach Angren took to the stage. And once they got on stage, it also didn’t take too long for the band to egg the crowd on to take things to the next level. After playing only one song, vocalist Dennis “Seregor” Droomers decided it was time for the sold out crowd to get a wall of death going in the pit.
“I don’t think you believe enough,” he said, adding, “I know it’s packed but I’m not asking – I’m fucking telling!” He would later try to hype the crowd up just a bit more, asking, “Are you ready for a little more aggression? A little more speed?” It’s safe to say that yes, the bulk of the crowd was indeed ready for that.
The crowd was clearly also ready for Rotting Christ, who took to the stage around 10:30. Perhaps a bit late for my old ass on a Sunday night when I’ve got to get up for work in the morning, but the band made it worth my while. Vocalist Sakis Tolis is an engaging frontman and he and the band impressed with a dramatic, energetic performance, with tracks like “Societas Satanas”, “Non Serviam” and “The Raven” standing out as highlights.
Chalk this one up as a win for the heretics.