Rotting Christ are the heroes in their homeland, and no wonder why. The band took black metal, moulded it to sound their own and never showed any uncertainty.

Rotting Christ have matured a lot during the years. The band found mystical melodies already on their first works (not including those death/grind ones), which drift over rather simplistic song structures. By 1996, the band had abandoned those typical thrash/black metal riffs and found their unique style. Here epical, mystical, sombre and fiery atmospheres mingle into arcane Hellenic sounds. While it's melodic, it's also chunky. Rotting Christ's style is black metal, but so very different it is to the "typical" black metal sound. I'd call them a dark metal band perhaps. There are only a few keyboard lines, but no more are needed, as the band can easily build atmospheres with guitars, bass, drums and vocals. Pace of the music fluctuates between slow and mid-paced, 'Archon' being the fastest song with its blast beats (and probably my favourite of all Rotting Christ songs, simply perfect!). By the way, the digipak version includes three Kreator cover songs.

Sakis "Necromayhem" Tolis' growled throat vocals are easy to recognise. His bad English pronunciation doesn't matter to me, it simply gives him more character, and as you know that's what matters. He doesn't possess the ugliest, strongest voice ever, but he sounds like he's been possessed. The lyrics are inspired by nature, universe, inner self and mythology. The graphics get thumbs up, but vary on jewelcase and digipak editions.

The sound is organic, quite a lot cleaner than on the previous recordings. This isn't very heavy, but the bass and the kick drum give enough punch to balance the melodic guitar playing. When thinking of the band's past releases, they've never been "heavy", but in atmospheric way. Actually, I have not a single complaint about how this sounds. I love it how those drums sound. Magnificent. The album was recorded by Andy Classen of Holy Moses fame.

Ten years down the road, this album is still as spellbinding as it was in 1996. While the band has lost some of their edge on the newer albums, thanks to modern production values, just put 'Triarchy...' on and travel through the universe with Rotting Christ's magical music. This is the first professionally produced album from the band, but still totally soulful and true. Natural continuation from magickal 'Non Serviam' (1994). Not for "only hissing black metal for me" fanatics, but if you are looking for something with dark and mystical atmosphere and unique style, then give this a try ASAP!!!

Rating: 9 (out of 10) ratings explained

Reviewed by Lane
09/25/2006 20:12