Review by Kostas on January 29, 2023.

"Triarchy of The Lost Lovers" marks the end of the early black metal trilogy of Rotting Christ and their lean towards a more gothic and experimental sound. The black metal elements and style are of course still present in every song, but this time in a much more mature and pleasant way. Maybe it is due to Sakis and Themis having grown up by that time, or them suffering from measles during the recording, but this album sounds unbiased and is definitely one level higher than the band's previous two.

More specifically, there is an obvious improvement in mixing and production. Every instrument sounds exactly where and as it should, nothing too loud or too low. This, alongside the members of the band having evolved admirable skills, is what helps the sinister cult atmosphere of this record build up. In addition, Sakis seems to have had enough experience to sing in a much more physical way, unlike the previous records where he really just seemed to try too hard.

From the very first second of the first track you know this album is going to be good. The rifts are catchy and the solos are great, leaving you stoked by their genuine complexity and originality. The mood swaps offer a variety of melodies and songs. From the nostalgic, maybe even romantic in some way "King of A Stellar War" to the aggressive, fast "Archon", there is a song for every demanding fan of the band out there. It is in fact sad the drums and at some points keyboards still sound weak and boring, making this album lose some of its might and preventing it from being at the top of the band's discography.

To sum up, "Triarchy of The Lost Lovers" is the first album someone who doesn't know Rotting Christ should listen to. It is not perfect but it is the record that has all the good elements of the band's first steps: amazing melodies, variety, a unique atmosphere... plus some awesome fun and at the same time unusual lyrics. In a few words, although not their best, this album is the ideal introduction to the band and a monument of black metal history.

Rating: 8.1 out of 10