Rotting Christ

You'd think that after 26 years, Greek extreme metallers Rotting Christ would show signs of letting up. But that is not the case, as 11th album Kata Ton Daimona Eaytoy proves. With this follow-up to 2010's masterful Aealo, the band have progressed even further into melodic death metal territory while maintaining their traditional black metal style and incorporating some different tribal elements. Kata Ton Daimona Eaytoy translates to "Do What Thou Wilt," and Rotting Christ have done just that with their ability to transcend the boundaries of genre. Opening track "In Yumen — Xibalba" begins slowly, with haunting tones before obliterating riffs and blast beats kick in, while "P'unchaw kachun — Tuta kachun" features more of the chanting vocals that dominated Aealo. The record carries on with a formula pairing a harsh clamour with beautiful melodies and occult-style, rhythmic beats. "Cine iubeşte şi lasă" is a unique track, adding piano and female vocals that are both operatic and tribalistic, displaying Rotting Christ's knack for unpredictable, yet confident songwriting.