Review by UnhinderedbyTalent for Rotting Christ - Triarchy of the Lost Lovers (1996)
Rotting Christ's brand of Hellenic black metal went into full on Gothic story telling mode on their 1996 release. Balancing the Gothic and melodic elements whilst still retaining their charcteristic grim vocals and yet warm guitar tones, the album was the work of a band developing well. I think this album shows a level of maturity and growth that was pivotal in getting the band to become almost household names in the world of black metal.
End to end the album has a real sense of flare. Whilst never straying to the realm of being garish the panache for fluid and flowing melodies was in over drive on this release, cementing the bands sound alongside grown up songwriting that oozed class and captured the ear of the listener well. Incorporating catchy riffs that are allowed to standout despite the thick production job, the album also builds great atmosphere to boot. The weight of the production keeps the feel of everything being played through some dank fog but still gives key components space to thrive when needed, like swimming underwater without goggles and still being able to see aspects of the sea bed clearly.
The band had by this point in their career released numerous demos and two full lengths so if there was a time to expect them to "Kick on" a few levels then album number three was it. Sakis, Themis and Jim all work together well to deliver a measured yet still very powerful feeling album. There isn't a lot of power to the music here and it is better for it, the Gothic melancholy coats most of the music and shrouds it bleak and dreary tones whilst the melodic aspects lift the instrumentation, warming further the tone of the riffs and the stabbing leads.
Probably one of my preferred Rotting Christ releases so an absolute pleasure to be able to spend an hour with it earlier to relive it's dark, melodious glory. In terms of its place in this list for the North Clan Challenge it is a particular standout record in comparison to the vast majority of the other albums listed. Nobody else on the list sounds like Rotting Christ for sure and this only serves to fuel the fires of this being one of the standout releases here.