Metal Shock Finland (World Assault )

After 35 years of evil existence, Rotting Christ still stand the test of time. Sakis Tolis, his brother Themis and their Greek brothers-in-arms have risen from the Athenian underground to become one of the metal world’s most reliable forces, backed by a pantheon discography that has both defined and defied black metal. 

As they prepare for what’s building up to be a monumental 2026, today, Rotting Christ are releasing a new live video from the upcoming Blu-Ray edition of  35 Years of Evil Existence – Live in Lycabettus. Though a familiar inclusion among the band’s setlist, when performed in front of a sold-out crowd at their historic home theater, “Under the Name of Legion” raises the banner for Hellenic black metal to new heights.        

Watch Rotting Christ perform “Under the Name of Legion” Live in Lycabettus on Rotting Christ TV:

The Blu-Ray edition of 35 Years of Evil Existence – Live in Lycabettus comes out this Friday, December 12, 2025 on Season of Mist. 

Pre-order: https://redirect.season-of-mist.com/RottingChrist35YearsLive

When Rotting Christ stepped onto the stage at the historic Lycabettus Hill Theater for the first time last summer, Sakis, Themis, Kostis Fouk and Kostas “Spades” Heliotis treated 7,000 devout followers to a two-hour set that spanned the band’s entire career. Picking one song to close such a monumental evening is no easy feat, especially among their pantheon-level discography. But “Under the Name of Legion” gave them the perfect send-off. 

Originally, “Under the Name of Legion” appeared as the closing track on Genesis, Rotting Christ’s seventh full-length album. While the song is still blessed with the band’s enchanting gothic melodies, it’s mighty opening chant recalls the unflinching pact they forged with metal legions during their earliest years. “Love of darkness signifies the enlightened life eternally“. Beating from inside Lycabettus’ ancient halls, Rotting Christ’s true metal spirit echoed beyond the ages.  

“We are proud that our new live album will now be available on Blu-Ray”, says Sakis. “Thanks to all our metal brothers and sisters for your attention, support and dedication over all these years. You can be sure that we will be at the frontline of the battlefield until the end. Non Serviam!”

The footage from 35 Years of Existence – Live in Lycabettus was directed by Yiannis Margetousakis & Thanos Liberopoulos.

Additional video credits:
Camera operators
Thanos Liberopoulos
Giorgos Margetousakis
Manolis Rizikos
Roxani Varela
Phillip Daskas
Spirodon Flouretzou
Mike Kochiev

Drone operator
Yiannis Margetousakis

Editors
Evaggelia Tsiliakou
Yiannis Margetousakis

Coloring
Yiannis Margetousakis

Catch Rotting Christ next year during appearances at major summer festivals. More dates announcing soon!

Rotting Christ 2026 Summer Festivals
May 22 – Baltimore, Maryland @ Maryland Death Fest (Exclusive 1989-1995 Set) [TICKETS] 
June 19 – Clisson, France @ Hellfest [TICKETS]
July 19 – Bergen, Norway @ Beyond the Gates [TICKETS]

Track-list:

1. 666 (5:45)
2. P’Unchaw Kachun- Tuta Kachun (4:54)
3. Fire God and Fear (4:44)
4. Kata Ton Demona Eaytoy (4:50) [WATCH]
5. Apage Satana (4:40)
6. Dies Irae (4:37)
7. Demonon Vrosis (5:00) [WATCH]
8. Aealo (3:42)
9. Like Father, Like Son (4:41)
10.King of a Stellar War (6:22)
11. Shadows Follow (2:07)
12. Archon (4:25)
1. The Sign of Evil Existence (1:51)
2. Fgmenth Thy Gift (4:16)
3. Societas Satanas (4:07)
4. Forest of N’gai (4:19)
5. Sorrowful Farewell (4:29) [WATCH]
6. Among Two Storms (3:54) [WATCH]
7. After Dark I Feel (4:08)
8. Athanatoi Este (5:32)
9.Nemecic (4:17)
10. In Yumen Xibalba (6:27)
11. Grandis Spiritus Diavolos (6:05)
12. The Raven (5:28)
13. Under the Name of Legion (5:51) [WATCH]
Full runtime: 1:56:31

In the dimly lit catacombs of extreme metal, one name stands as a monolith: ROTTING CHRIST. Sakis Tolis and his brother Themis started this band together back in 1987. In the three decades since, these Greek titans have left their blackened imprint all over the metal world. They’ve released 13 studio albums and played more than 1,300 concerts around the globe.  Underneath all this hard work, Rotting Christ have but one vision – an urge to not only push the boundaries of extreme metal, but to keep reinventing themselves along the way.

Rotting Christ’s evolution has unfolded across several distinct chapters. After starting out closer to the barely controlled chaos of grindcore, they went on to establish the iconic sound of Hellenic black metal. Their albums often embrace refined gothic soundscapes, only to plunge back into the depths of blasphemous fervour. Each chapter marked another, further exploration, and an unwavering commitment to push boundaries.

But the real turning point came in 2007, when Rotting Christ signed a pact with Season of Mist. They unleashed a series of albums for the French label that defied any and all expectations. From the piercing Theogonia and the symphonic grandeur of Aelo to the ritualistic intensity of Κατά Τον Δαίμονα Εαυτού, the cinematic experiences created by Rotting Christ became a spectacle of bombastic atmospheres, mesmerizing choirs, and neo-classical arrangements. The unexpected is their modus operandi, with the use of various languages (Latin, Arabic, Greek,  English) as well as the extensive use of famous poetry woven into their music, like Edgar Allan Poe’s ‘The Raven’ on The Heretics.

In 2019, Rotting Christ’s epic journey continued with The Apocryphal Spell compilation, which offers fans an intimate glimpse into unreleased and rare material. This allowed them to gather strength, preparing for the release of their next, highly anticipated, 14th full-length studio album: Pro Xristou.

Pro Xristou (‘Before Christ’ in Greek), serves as a fervent tribute to the last Pagan kings who resisted the onslaught of Christianity, guarding their ancient values and knowledge. In this thematic odyssey, intricately woven through tracks such as ‘The Apostate’ and ‘Ygdrassil’, Rotting Christ delves into the legacies of historical figures such as Flavius Claudius Julianus and Nordic mythological kings, embodying the might of Pagan wisdom in the face of Christian adversity. The album encapsulates the essence of Rotting Christ’s signature style – melodic, yet harsh at times – reinventing themselves yet again, while remaining rooted in their 35-year legacy.

Line-up:
Sakis Tolis – Guitar, Vocals
Themis Tolis – Drums
Kostas “Spades” Heliotis – Bass
Kostis Fouk – Guitar

Biography:
Sébastien J. Gamez

Follow Rotting Christ:
Official Website: https://www.rotting-christ.com/en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rottingchristofficial/
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/rottingchristofficial/
Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/athanatoieste
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/RottingChristOfficia
Bandcamp: https://rottingchristofficial.bandcamp.com/
Apple Music: http://itunes.apple.com/artist/rotting-christ/id28441629
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7FhkwcO8Jd7BRWdllBpXBJ