Greek bands are very known for always keeping their sound close to tradition Metal. Rotting
Christ is no exception. Metal is what they are, and always will be part of them. Rotting Christ
recently did a tour through North America, and here's interview with Rotting Christ frontman/guitarist and
vocalist Sakis.
Interview taken by V.K. (on September 4th 1999)
Metal Vision: Hello and Welcome. Rotting Christ recently had tour through North America.
Is the band satisfied with the tour? How did the fans react to your music?
Sakis:
Yes it was our first "strike" in Northern America and as an experience was
really hard driving ourselves having no tour manager loading by ourselves but
as a result very good. Ok we didn't have the same reaction as we have in Europe
but it was generally really noticable and really encouraging in the most of the
places.
Metal Vision: Did you notice any difference between Canadian Metal fans and other world
wide fans?
Sakis: Man playing with Cradle of Filth in Montreal was one of the best experience. The
big venue was sold out and we realised that Metal fans everywhere are great. So
that means that Canadian fans are great.
Metal Vision: Extreme music is not very big thing in US or North America. Did anything
change in the last few
years for Rotting Christ?
Sakis: Things are changing recently in North America for Black Dark Metal so that's the
reason a lot of Black Metal bands start touring there. Yes time has come i guess
for North America to get into this music at last.
Metal Vison: Rotting Christ had line-up changes in the last few years, could you tell
me more about it?
What are the reasons?
Sakis: Inspite of the fact that we remain the same the last 2 years yes we had some
line - up changes before and what's the reason??????? Yes it is so hard to be on
the road for a half of year playing shows all around the world without gewtting
enough money to pay your bills. So if you are in an age of 25 and more you have
to sacrifice a lot things so some old members couldn't and i respect it. So i
found members that we work with the last 2 years and things seems to work fine
Metal Vision: Rotting Christ plays very non-conservative, hard to define music with a
lot of changes never
staying on the same level. Always going forward and trying to imporve. The
fans they always
wonder how would you label Rotting Christ's music?
Sakis: Yes they always wonder but i recomend them to call us .......METAL .You can
call it as you want DARK BLACK GOTHIC HEAVY but.......METAL.
.
Metal Vision: The last Rotting Christ album "Sleep Of The Angels" is out now for some time.
In your opinion
is it the best Rotting Christ outfit up to date?
Sakis: All the musicians claim that their last album is the best. I do the same, i do
not know if you agree but it is definetely our most mature outfit ever.
Metal Vision: The last song on the album "Sleep Of The Angels" which is named "Thine is the
Kingdom". Why
the lyrics weren't included? Did you release the song somewhere previously?
Sakis: No, we didn't print the lyrics cause it was something really personal and i
asked from our label to not print them.
Metal Vision: The vocals have changed a lot from "Dead Poem" to "Sleep Of The Angels". Was
it intantional or
natural change?
Sakis: It was anatural change.
Metal Vision: The main influences on Rotting Christ? The bands that motivated you into
making Rotting Christ
Sakis: BATHORY CELTIC FROST POSSESSED VENOM when we started up the band......now our
souls nothing else.
Metal Vision: Bands, albums and other things you've been listening lately?
Sakis: New IN FLAMES kick asses EMPEROR as well SAMAEL as well. I do listen them very
often recently.
Metal Vision: I always wondered about the Greek Metal scene. How do you feel with the
current Metal scene in
Greece? Bands that help you out? Bands that you help out?
Sakis: Exist some very good bands down here that are worth to pay attention. We are
friends with the most of them and we help each other out. Check some Greek bands
when you have the chnce.
Metal Vision: Rotting Christ is a band who always paid great attention to the lyrics
and always held them on
very mature level, but with time the lyrics became more personal and more
depressive. What are
your lyrics mainly about? Do they come from the heart?
Sakis: Yes they became more personal. We felt the need to write for something more
instead of stories that we use to do ibn the past. Of course the roots remain
and you can understand by readin g the lyrics THE WORD MADE END and they always
come from the depth of our souls.
Metal Vision: Songs like "You My Flesh", "After Dark I Feel" and "Cold Colours". What
is the meaning behind
them? What in your vision they are about?
Sakis: They have ana aligoric meaning. I write what i feel and you can find out your
own messages by reading 'em more sceptic. There is a pessimistin meaning a
wondering meaning without this to mean that we are only pessimistic persons. We
express the dark side of our life from our music.
Metal Vision: Rotting Christ always seemed to stay true to the band itself and never
collabrated with any
trends. What is your opinion about trends and commercialism?
Sakis: Hmmm........ a bit hard to answer cause i do not really know what is trend
about. Trend could be BLACK METAL trend could be GOTHIC METAL trend could be
everything that sells. I am really getting pised off with bands that claim that
play TRUE Black Metal and they sell much more than the other bands that blame.So
what is trend then? Anywai i do believe that if you play what you heart says
even if is is "soft" could be less trendy than if you play what other says and
it is really hard.
Metal Vision: Xytras from Samael has done some keyboard work for Rotting Christ on the
album "Dead Poem".
What is your relationship with him?
Sakis: I do know him from the old "glorious" days and the guy is really great. Nice
personality nice musician..............
Metal Vision: Is Rotting Christ religious band? Do any Rotting Christ members are
involved in any sort of
religion?
Sakis: No ROTTING CHRIST has nothing to do with any kind of religion.
Metal Vision: What are the barriers or problems that Rotting Christ as a band have
stalked throughout the years?
Did the name Rotting Christ itself ever gave you any problems with
religious groups of that sort?
Sakis: Yes our name was always a problem. Alot of shows have cancelled (2 of them in
our last tour in North America) , we have also faced and financial problem in
the past.......and now!!!!, we have sacrificed a lot of things that we love in
our country..........but the gain is sweet and it is called ROTTING CHRIST.
Metal Vision: What are future plans for Rotting Christ?
Sakis: We have just finished our world tour and we have just started to write new
songs......more Dark more Agressive than ever. Watch out.
Metal Vision:
Thank you very much for this interview. Do you have any last words for
Metal Vision readers,
Rotting Christ fans or Canadian Metal fans? Thank you again.
Sakis: KEEP THE BLACK CULT ALIVE
Rotting Christ Web Site
Sakis Contact:
rchrist@ath.forthnet.gr
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