Rotting Christ – “Triarchy of the Lost Lovers”
This release isn’t that much different than “NoN Serviam”. With this release the band once again reiterates its style. This CD shows that R.C. is very melodic. I’m saying this because this band actually knows how to combine harmony-like sounds with straight thrashing riffs. For instance, song number 4 is mostly a slow affair with a repeating melodic riff that might even be classified as monotonous. Actually, “Non Serviam” was less melodic, but it was faster. This one shows the drummer doing some basic mid-paced style. In fact, there is hardly any speed-of-light- in-your-face-double-bass-to-rip-your-throat-apart drumming here. Now, do not misunderstand me, this band kicks butt, but they moved further from only kicking butt. The more I listen to this, the more I realize that the catchy riffs found here are really unusual in death metal or whatever you want to call them. DEATH’s “Symbolic” has plenty of catchy leads / solos, but compared to this, DEATH actually sounds less melodic. If you do not listen to this at least twice, you will not understand what this is all about because this is actually complex. The first listen you might say this is plain, but R.C. has some songs that go for a min. into it without any vocals so that the listener will appreciate what the riffs try to accomplish because there is no sound over them. Overall, this shows R.C. progressing at a really quick pace into the realm of (and this might not be cool with the cheesy metal fans) complex, melodic, top-level death metal. Pretty amazing actually.