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ROTTING CHRIST Reintroduces "Sanctus Diavolos" on Vinyl
Dark Era Returns
Greek extreme metal pioneers ROTTING CHRIST are preparing to reissue one of the key milestones of their career, "Sanctus Diavolos", on vinyl. Set to arrive through Season of Mist on September 11th, this special edition will bring the band's eighth studio album, originally released in 2004, back to collectors.
Released through Century Media in 2004, "Sanctus Diavolos" is regarded as one of the albums that closed a defining chapter in ROTTING CHRIST’s history while also marking the beginning of a new creative era. The album took shape after the departures of guitarist Costas Vasilakopoulos and keyboardist Georgios Tolias, with Sakis Tolis taking full control of the band's musical direction.
During this period, Sakis Tolis handled not only vocals but also guitar and keyboard duties, while his brother Themis Tolis remained behind the drums and Andreas Lagios took care of bass. Across ten tracks, the album delivers a dark musical journey in which ROTTING CHRIST expanded their aggressive black metal roots with gothic atmospheres, powerful choral arrangements, and symphonic touches.
"Sanctus Diavolos" stands out with its heavier use of choral and orchestral elements compared to the band's previous works. The album’s lyrical approach also carries a distinctive difference, portraying Lucifer not as a traditional symbol of evil, but as a bearer of light — an alluring and complex figure.
The album also features a guest guitar solo from virtuoso Gus G on "Visions of a Blind Order", while the choir arrangements created by SEPTICFLESH member Christos Antoniou were recorded by a real eight-member choir. This approach became one of the key elements shaping the album’s cinematic and grandiose atmosphere.
Recorded at SCA Studios in Athens, "Sanctus Diavolos" was mixed by Fredrik Nordström at Studio Fredman in Sweden. The reissue offers ROTTING CHRIST fans and vinyl collectors the opportunity to rediscover a significant period in the band’s history.
Tracklist:
"Visions of a Blind Order"
"Thy Wings Thy Horns Thy Sin"
"Athanati Este"
"Tyrannical"
"You My Cross"
"Sanctimonius"
"Serve in Heaven"
"Shades of Evil"
"Doctrine"
"Sanctus Diavolos"
As one of the most established names in the Greek black metal scene, ROTTING CHRIST continue to revisit key moments from their past with the "Sanctus Diavolos" reissue while bringing the band’s dark atmospheres and experimental approach to a new generation of listeners.
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