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

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 JD on September 19, 2010.

Greek Death Metal has been some of the most brutal ever forged by the hands of mere mortals. It is known for it destructive power and its outright snubbing of the mainstream metal to create things that are it’s own. I love musicians who can do that, and back it up with quality music.... just like Homo Iratus.

This Greek threesome create some seriously intense yet melodic Death Metal that is actually catchy while being heavy enough for any metaller in the world. I find myself having to describe them as one part Corrosion Of Conformity, one part Motorhead and one part early Carcass with a sound like Venom mixed with Nuclear Assault sort of vibe as well. Eclectic... yes... yet great.

It is true that Homo Iratus is not very technical, but their ability to execute their music with major power while having so much melody make up for it with. Sadly... this is only a four track EP, which as people know, makes me want more. Being that this is a EP, and having this overly simplistic approach to the recording - brings my rating down somewhat, thankfully I still love it though, and my ratings go up in other areas.

There is a report that Homo Iratus have broken-up at the time that I write this. I hope that this report is just nothing more than speculation. These guys have found their way into my playing rotation and that is hard in the first place. I hope that the band are still together because they owe everyone a full album. This is just a tease for my metallic pallet. I hate being teased, but I will wait to hear more.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 8
Atmosphere: 8
Production: 6.5
Originality: 7
Overall: 8

Rating: 7.5 out of 10