2019 sees the release of Greek masters Rotting Christ’s thirteenth studio album The Heretics.
Originally much more of death, black, even grind band Rotting Christ have over their 30 something years in the industry, evolved into the melodic, gothic sound that is present in their latest few albums. The Heretics is no exception.
Grandiose, sweeping triumphant melodies and chanting paint a mythic landscape, familiar to fans of Rotting Christ. A landscape of decaying Gods, Zoroastrianism and the sun setting on life itself.
Fans of a harsher, darker chaotic black metal will be frustrated by The Heretics. The is no severity on the album. Harsh screeching vocals are not present and are instead replaced with chanting, generic metallic sneering, whispering and lots of spoken word. Fierce blasting non-existent, marching plod-along drums are it’s their place and if you’re looking for dissonant, grating guitars you’ve come to the wrong place, clean noodling and euro riffing are all you’ll find.
This is not a scary album. Lyrically unsurprising and ultimately a little soft. I kept waiting for the black metal to start, it didn’t.
When the darker riffs collide with grand, mythic chanting, that’s when this album works. The Heretics does have beautiful moments and at times it can feel like scaling Mt. Olympus. But it gets samey and tired, quick.
If you are a fan of Greek Black Metal or epic/symphonic/melodic Black Metal then this is essential listening. But if you like your Black Metal writhing, hateful and connected to the chaos of nature, best to dodge this one.
Some will love its highly polished, produced sound others will run back to their caves.
Release Year: 2019
Label: Season of Mist
Category: Album
Country: Greece
Reviewed by Jim Smith
