Rotting Christ – ΠΡΟ ΧΡΙΣΤΟU (Pro Xristou)
Release Date: 24th May 2024
Label: Season of Mist
Bandcamp
Genre: Melodic Black Metal, Gothic Metal, Extreme Metal.
FFO: Behemoth, Moonspell, Satyricon.
Review By: Paul Cairney
Somehow, during the last 37 years or so, Rotting Christ have morphed into a magnificently gothic black metal band. Their most recent albums have each had a deliberate theme, this time it is ‘a fervent tribute to the last Pagan kings who resisted the onslaught of Christianity, guarding their ancient values and knowledge’. As you will see, this is no mere satanic tinged Hellenic Black Metal, ΠΡΟ ΧΡΙΣΤΟU or (Pro Xristou) is much more than that. This is a magnificent odyssey into a pagan world, full of deliberate melodic, and occasionally harsh, imagery.
Pro Xristou is Greek for ‘Before Christ’, the title giving a sense of the themes that permeate the 10 track album. The version I was given has 2 additional bonus tracks, but we can’t confirm what the physical release will offer. I hope the 12 track version is widely available, as it is worth it.
By now, you should have heard all 3 of the singles on offer. These give off just a mere flavour of Pro Xristou. ‘Like Father, Like Son’ sees the band showing off their grandiose gothic tinged metal, whereas ‘Saoirse’ brings the slightly heavier side of the band. Latest single, ‘The Apostate’ has a trademark riff, with spoken words over anthemic vocals.
The rest of the album builds on these singles, ‘The Farewell’ begins with the words, ‘He’s dead’, before a hell-bound riff leads you into Sakis Tolis’ instantly recognisable gruff vocals. ‘The Sixth Day’ again begins with a brief spoken sentence before a captivating riff takes grip and leads you through the rest of the track.
The variation between the tracks is part of the albums charm. Songs with a Gothic lead are intermingled with others featuring a heavier, melodic black metal tinge. Some tracks have a riff that dominates, when others, such as ‘Yggdrasil’ will see you walking your dog singing the chorus out loud, not caring who is there to hear you….well, this might just be me, as you may not have a dog.
If you consider yourself a metalhead, if you have ever flashed the horns or been known to headbang or, indeed, mosh properly, Pro Xristou is an album that must be listened to. Do not be put off by the name of the band, thinking you won’t like the album (I fear Rotting Christ suffer because of the name they chose for the band in 1987). Pro Xristou is a stunning album, and you will do yourself a disservice by ignoring it. 
(5 / 5)
