One of the biggest metal bands from Greece and among the worldwide black metal masters, Rotting Christ are celebrating their 35-year anniversary this year, and organized a special live event at Lycabettus Theatre, in Athens, Greece. We were all invited and had a great time with Varathron, another talented Greek black metal act, and Rotting Christ at the wonderful hill of Athens.
by Ira Bunia
photos by Iro Kalligeri (@irokalligeriphotography)
We arrived at the Theatre rather early, so we secured our nice spot at the front of the arena. Time went by and eventually Varathron appeared on stage. Some minutes before dawn, Varathron played with passion and confidence their black metal music, which sometimes sounds raw and sometimes sounds majestic. The fans liked the band’s songs and with this positive feedback, Varathron managed to warm us up! Although the sun was up in the sky, the Greeks were in a great mood and showed to the audience why they are a well-respected unit!
After Varathron, everybody waited for the mighty Rotting Christ! Around 21:20, they took the stage, and the entire theater erupted with joy. Kicking off the night with “χξϛ” from “Κατά τον Δαίμονα Εαυτού,” we knew we were in for a treat. The sound quality was flawless. The crowd, both in the arena and on the terraces, was headbanging wildly. “Dies Irae” and “Fire, God and Fear” from “Heretics” set the Lycabettus Theatre ablaze. When “Κατά τον Δαίμονα Εαυτού” was played, it felt like an explosion of energy. The entire audience was on their feet, swaying to the rhythm of the guitar and drums. “King of a Stellar War” served as a nostalgic tribute, dedicated to Euronymous of Mayhem, bridging generations of fans. The magical atmosphere continued with “Δαιμόνων βρῶσις” from “Aealo”. Then came “Like Father, Like Son” from the new “Pro Xristou” album, which was met with an incredible and dynamic response from the audience. The song is a true masterpiece. “Among Two Storms” from “Dead Poem” saw the theater light up with flares. And then, declaring our immortality, “Athanati Este” from “Sanctus Diavolos” brought a transcendent experience—I felt like I was out of my body. It was a dreamy night, a real gift from Rotting Christ, celebrating their 35 years of existence with us. The beautiful atmosphere was heightened by the celebration of Sakis Tolis’s birthday. For the grand finale, “Non Serviam” was the pinnacle of the night. The band invited the audience on stage, and we all became one with the music. Rotting Christ, thank you so much!
