Review by Jeger on June 19, 2025.

For the past 36 years, Rotting Christ has so daringly explored the realms of forbidden spiritualism, war and philosophy. Their profound works have set the Tolis brothers-led faction atop the Greek scene and without much in the way of competition. Some fools claim that RC's music isn't even black metal anymore. Try figuring it into something else and see where that gets you… The earliest days of the band are best known for '93's "Thy Mighty Contract" - Rotting Christ's debut LP and one of the most important Black mMetal albums ever written. But two years before the release of "TMC", Rotting Christ released their groundbreaking "Passage To Arcturo" EP - about as trve kvlt as it gets, yet possessing of all the trademark Hellenic characteristics: theatrics, atmosphere and drama.

Rotting Christ in their most organic state: no drum machine, no experimental recording techniques and no overwhelming cinematics, just unfiltered and uncut Greek Black Metal. This unrefined piece represented the still primordial state of the early Greek scene, but it also forecasted a much different future for the movement when compared to that of the Scandinavians. Raw recording as if it was recorded in my teenage room, but wisely written with segmented compositions/passages that don't run by at light speed, but drag the grooves, stir up the melodies and offer a wealth of atmospheric components. One can't help but wonder what kind of an album "Thy Mighty Contract" could've been had Sakis and crew decided to simply build upon this particular recording foundation as opposed to the experimental nature of their debut LP. "The Forest Of N'gai" - a foreshadowing to the "Non Serviam" era and the following track, "The Mystical Meeting", is nothing more than Rotting Christ in their most brutal form: so punishing yet offering a taste of the kind of dynamics that would later be heard on albums like "Sanctus Diavolos" and "Κατά τον δαίμονα εαυτού". But altogether, "Passage To Arcturo" is a purist's delight - the way black metal was meant to sound - an homage to the baser and to the primal.

This thing is a gem - an overshadowed work; hiding under the dark expanse of the band's many celebrated LPs. Tucked away in the underground for only those who truly understand Black Metal to uncover. A treat: rare and bloody instead of blackened by charcoal. A thick ale kind of debauchery fit for gluttonous consumption. Rotting Christ's only noteworthy recording to have been recorded in the olde way, and the stripped-down nature of it all casts a glaring light upon the Barbaric nature of early Greek BM. Savagery unleashed but then reined in by dreamlike atmospherics and long-running melodic riffs. Profound spoken-word vocals! Ghastly grunts… True Greek black metal.

The brotherhood of those first pure days was like the stuff of fable, and the music was so fresh and unique. The mystique and the taboo of it all was the catalyst for many a late night scouring of that hole in the wall record joint downtown. The zines! The labels and of course the bands. "Passage To Arcturo" is special because it embodies everything that made those days so special. Its influence will always be felt, and yet there will never be another EP like it - transcendent but grounded in tradition and principle - just like every Rotting Christ record.

Rating: 9 out of 10

Review by Kostas on July 13, 2023.

After Genesis, anyone's expectations from Rotting Christ would be rather poor, since the aforementioned album was very good. This made it challenging for this band to write and compose new music that would not sound conventional or similar to their past records. Apparently Sakis' imagination and artistic vision were far greater than most expected, with Sanctus Diavolos ending up being a great esoteric yet extreme musical offering. Unfortunately, it fails to achieve a really high score due to some downsides.

The album starts dynamically without any introduction or a significant atmosphere. 'Visions Of A Blind Order' is a rather poor track which only reveals the bad mixing and mastering that stand out throughout Sanctus Diavolos. After this initial disappointment, however, everything gets much better instantly. The rifts are clever and catchy, the vocals are better than ever and the bass and drums are absolutely well-written. In addition, the power this record emits is unparalleled, with 'Tyranical' and 'Athanatoi Este' hitting you in the face like a hammer of a hellish demon.

But, what makes this album special? It is the new elements the band introduced, of course. Symphonic passages, amazing keyboard melodies and some entertaining Greek lyrics for all curious foreigners. It is in fact these same elements that give this album essence, as well as a separate identity. Blend in plenty of great solos and a very interesting amd experimental (yet boring after some point) finale and there you have it. Sanctus Diavolos.

It is for sure a very good album. If only it was for a better production and a more clever way to start and finish it, this one would definitely vastly overcome its older brother, Genesis. Well, no matter what, we are now left with a bittersweet taste, knowing that with some more caution Sanctus Diavolos could be a timeless masterpiece.

Rating: 8.3 out of 10

Review by Aaron on November 27, 2004.

While Rotting Christ have yet to put out a bad album in my eyes, I along with many others have been a little disappointed with the roads taken away from the savage halcyon days of their purer Black Metal sound that started to head for Gothier pastures after Thy Mighty Contract. I’m pleased to say that with their 9th album Sanctus Diavolos that the band draws once more from their raw Black Metal beginnings. This is easily the most brutal album the band has put out in a long, long time. The first track “Visions of a Blind Order” starts with a black assault worthy of the likes of Mayhem and Darkthrone and it doesn’t prove to be an isolated event, “You My Cross” and “Shades of Evil” being other fine examples of synthesis between their demonic earlier sound and their dark Gothic later leanings.

For those who prefer Rotting Christ’s later endeavors, particularly Khronos and Genesis, you’ll be pleased that the more Gothic influences remain and stay strong as well, particularly in tracks such as “Sanctimonius” and the title track. Despite the departure of two of their long standing members within the past year, the tightness and overall focus of the band has not been lost. All the instruments involved carry their own weight superbly and the end result reflects that strength. The production on the album is great, giving a level playing field where everyone in the band comes through clearly with no muddiness and no one being left behind.

All in all, the freshness of the band’s sound with Sanctus Diavolos draws upon their capability to draw upon the strongest facets of their albums going all the way back to Passage to Arcturo and draw them together into an organic whole that I think would make for a very evil, pleasant experience for anyone who is a fan of the band for whatever reason and could easily provide new reasons to be a Rotter as well. For those who haven’t heard the band yet, I recommend picking up both Sanctus Diavolos and Thy Mighty Contract and working your way inwards from these two points, it’ll give you an interesting take on a damn fine band.

Categorical Rating Breakdown
Musicianship: 8
Atmosphere: 7
Production: 7
Originality: 6
Overall: 8

Rating: 7.2 out of 10

Review by Kostas on July 13, 2023.

After Genesis, anyone's expectations from Rotting Christ would be rather poor, since the aforementioned album was very good. This made it challenging for this band to write and compose new music that would not sound conventional or similar to their past records. Apparently Sakis' imagination and artistic vision were far greater than most expected, with Sanctus Diavolos ending up being a great esoteric yet extreme musical offering. Unfortunately, it fails to achieve a really high score due to some downsides.

The album starts dynamically without any introduction or a significant atmosphere. 'Visions Of A Blind Order' is a rather poor track which only reveals the bad mixing and mastering that stand out throughout Sanctus Diavolos. After this initial disappointment, however, everything gets much better instantly. The rifts are clever and catchy, the vocals are better than ever and the bass and drums are absolutely well-written. In addition, the power this record emits is unparalleled, with 'Tyranical' and 'Athanatoi Este' hitting you in the face like a hammer of a hellish demon.

But, what makes this album special? It is the new elements the band introduced, of course. Symphonic passages, amazing keyboard melodies and some entertaining Greek lyrics for all curious foreigners. It is in fact these same elements that give this album essence, as well as a separate identity. Blend in plenty of great solos and a very interesting amd experimental (yet boring after some point) finale and there you have it. Sanctus Diavolos.

It is for sure a very good album. If only it was for a better production and a more clever way to start and finish it, this one would definitely vastly overcome its older brother, Genesis. Well, no matter what, we are now left with a bittersweet taste, knowing that with some more caution Sanctus Diavolos could be a timeless masterpiece.

Rating: 8.3 out of 10

Review by Aaron on November 27, 2004.

While Rotting Christ have yet to put out a bad album in my eyes, I along with many others have been a little disappointed with the roads taken away from the savage halcyon days of their purer Black Metal sound that started to head for Gothier pastures after Thy Mighty Contract. I’m pleased to say that with their 9th album Sanctus Diavolos that the band draws once more from their raw Black Metal beginnings. This is easily the most brutal album the band has put out in a long, long time. The first track “Visions of a Blind Order” starts with a black assault worthy of the likes of Mayhem and Darkthrone and it doesn’t prove to be an isolated event, “You My Cross” and “Shades of Evil” being other fine examples of synthesis between their demonic earlier sound and their dark Gothic later leanings.

For those who prefer Rotting Christ’s later endeavors, particularly Khronos and Genesis, you’ll be pleased that the more Gothic influences remain and stay strong as well, particularly in tracks such as “Sanctimonius” and the title track. Despite the departure of two of their long standing members within the past year, the tightness and overall focus of the band has not been lost. All the instruments involved carry their own weight superbly and the end result reflects that strength. The production on the album is great, giving a level playing field where everyone in the band comes through clearly with no muddiness and no one being left behind.

All in all, the freshness of the band’s sound with Sanctus Diavolos draws upon their capability to draw upon the strongest facets of their albums going all the way back to Passage to Arcturo and draw them together into an organic whole that I think would make for a very evil, pleasant experience for anyone who is a fan of the band for whatever reason and could easily provide new reasons to be a Rotter as well. For those who haven’t heard the band yet, I recommend picking up both Sanctus Diavolos and Thy Mighty Contract and working your way inwards from these two points, it’ll give you an interesting take on a damn fine band.

Categorical Rating Breakdown
Musicianship: 8
Atmosphere: 7
Production: 7
Originality: 6
Overall: 8

Rating: 7.2 out of 10